PCM Thermal Storage Panel: Latent-Heat Melt Front

Phase-change materials (PCMs) buffer heat by melting and freezing at a nearly fixed temperature, storing far more energy per degree than an ordinary solid ever could. This simulator solves real 2D transient heat conduction across a panel of PCM capsules using the enthalpy (apparent heat-capacity) method, so the latent-heat plateau emerges from the physics itself rather than being scripted. Switch between paraffin wax, a salt hydrate and a bio-based oil to see how thermal conductivity and latent heat change how fast the melt front sweeps through the panel, toggle between charging (heating) and discharging (cooling) to watch the front reverse, and track live readouts of elapsed time, liquid fraction, front position and total energy stored as the panel absorbs and releases latent heat.