Numerical simulation of N-tetradecane PCM for enhanced cold chain logistics in refrigerated trucks: Integrating experimental data for improved energy efficiency and power crisis management

In recent years, phase change materials (PCMs) have garnered considerable interest across various sectors due to their versatile applications. This study investigates the utilization of n-tetradecane, an organic PCM, in enhancing energy efficiency and managing power crises in refrigerated trucks within cold supply chain logistics. N-tetradecane has been chosen for its operational range of 0-17 degrees C and high latent heat capacity (approximately 216 kJ/ kg), ensuring efficient heat storage and controlled temperature regulation in refrigerated containers over extended durations. A two-dimensional enclosure geometry with the enthalpy-porosity approach was employed to model the phase change phenomena of n-tetradecane accurately. The Boussinesq approximation was adopted to simplify the numerical simulations, assuming negligible density variations except in buoyancy terms and no volume change during phase transitions. The study assessed PCM performance during power outages and recovery under varying refrigeration capacities through three scenarios simulating real-world conditions. The scenarios focused on PCM solidification using refrigeration units with capacities of 1.5 TR and 5 TR. Boundary conditions for PCM melting and solidification simulations were provided using temperature data obtained experimentally. The study found that N-tetradecane effectively maintains desired temperatures during power outages. Moreover, the study reveals that excessive refrigeration capacity (5 TR) accelerates temperature drops within the PCM enclosure, which hinders heat transfer and slows solidification rates. This research highlights the interplay between PCM characteristics and cooling capacities essential for optimizing cold chain logistics.