Numerical investigation of a novel phase-change renewable energy system for underground mine heating and cooling.

This study analyzes the performance of spray freezing, a novel renewable technology, to supplement the heating and cooling load of underground mines. This opportunistic technology provides a cost-effective way to utilize the sub-arctic conditions of Northern Canada for meeting the heating needs. The current study employs a Multiphysics, multi-scale approach to model the phenomena of spray freezing. The discrete phase computational fluid dynamics model developed, can reproduce both the local effects of droplet freezing and water evaporation along with the global energy balance of the whole system with the aim of maximizing the heat transfer to the cold air. The model is validated with published experimental data and further extended to evaluate the effect of different operational (air flow rate, inlet air temperature) of the system. Preliminary results indicate that air flow rate and temperature of water impacts the mixing which consequently influences the ice formation along with the outlet temperature of the air.