An integrated enthalpy-based lattice Boltzmann model with thermal contact resistances for liquid–solid phase change heat transfer

Accurately predicting the thermal contact resistances (TCRs) between phase change materials (PCMs) and base is crucial to the design and fabrication of compounded phase change materials (CPCMs). The heat transfer equations for TCRs based on enthalpy are derived and corresponding lattice Boltzmann (LB) evolution equations based on enthalpy (HLBM) for TCRs are obtained. HLBM model for TCRs on the contact interface is friendly and integrated with HLBM model for CPCMs in the computational domain. Therefore, we propose an integrated HLBM model with TCRs to investigate liquid–solid phase change heat transfer in CPCMs. We extend the distribution function of enthalpy for TCRs from the straight contact interface to the curved contact interface by the scheme borrowed from the curved boundary interpolation. The accuracy, robustness, and computational cost for the integrated HLBM model are evaluated in several cases. When TCRs are ignored, the accuracy of the integrated HLBM model is equivalent to that of LB evolution equations based on temperature (TLBM). The integrated HLBM model embodies stronger robustness than the TLBM model when the TCRs and Rayleigh numbers are larger. The integrated HLBM model begins to show advantages when the Ra number is larger for the phase change and heat transfer processes of CPCMs. The integrated HLBM model with TCRs offers another option for simulating the flow, heat transfer, and phase change processes of CPCMs.