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Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...

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espectively. Because <strong>of</strong> the partial wetting in the evaporator <strong>and</strong> condenser, there is<br />

heat transfer (q lg ) between water <strong>and</strong> air, heat transfer (q ls ) between water <strong>and</strong> <strong>PCM</strong><br />

beads (or solid phase), <strong>and</strong> heat transfer (q gs ) between gas <strong>and</strong> <strong>PCM</strong> beads.<br />

Moreover, there is direct condensation <strong>of</strong> water vapor on the dry patches <strong>of</strong> the<br />

packing spheres in the condenser.<br />

Figure 4.1: Schematic layout <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PCM</strong>-<strong>Supported</strong> HDH desalination unit<br />

(AquaTube) <strong>and</strong> operation cycle<br />

4.2 Mathematical Modeling<br />

A single phase model is commonly used for analyzing thermo-fluid flow in packed<br />

beds <strong>and</strong> porous media when fluid is moving relative to a solid matrix. This model<br />

assumes local thermal equilibrium between solid <strong>and</strong> fluid phases, where their<br />

temperatures are represented by a unique value. The assumption <strong>of</strong> local thermal<br />

equilibrium breaks down in certain physical situations. For example the temperature<br />

at the bounding surface changes significantly with respect to time, <strong>and</strong> when solid<br />

<strong>and</strong> fluid phases have significantly different heat capacities <strong>and</strong> thermal<br />

conductivities, the local rate <strong>of</strong> change <strong>of</strong> temperature for one phase differs<br />

significantly from that for the other phase [11].<br />

64

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