Numerical study of heat transfer in a phase change material during its solidification with the finite volume method for a good rationalization of the use of energy in the building

Currently, energy storage in buildings (walls, ceilings, etc.) is a very effective technological tool for reducing energy consumption either in winter period or in summer period; while ensuring the achievement of thermal comfort. Moreover, the building envelope can store thermal energy in sensitive or latent form due to new phase change materials known as PCM. So, the objective of our paper is related to numerical study of the heat transfer in the PCM (n-octadecane) during its solidification (destocking) installed in a building wall. Our mathematical formulation is based on a one-dimensional conduction model. The problem was solved with the enthalpy method. Extensive numerical simulations have been performed using the finite volume method (implicit scheme) to predict the temperature fields and the enthalpy values in the PCM. So far, the resulting system of equations is solved using Thomas' method (TDMA) and our results are significant.