Numerical investigation drag coefficient of micro-encapsulated roughened PCM particles in laminar flow

Phase Change Materials (PCM) have received considerable attention in recent years in many thermal energy storage applications, due to the isothermal phase change process and large storage capacities. This study deals with the hypothetical structure of micro encapsulated phase change materials of matrix type and the particle's surface roughness influence on its laminar drag coefficient. The investigation has been performed by numerical simulation using commercially available software. Results show that the drag coefficient decreases as particles' surface roughness increases, even at low Reynolds numbers. (paper)