Latent Heat Storage: Container Geometry, Enhancement Techniques, and Applications—A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Arunachalam
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Low Thermal Conductivity

Energy storage helps in waste management, environmental protection, saving of fossil fuels, cost effectiveness, and sustainable growth. Phase change material (PCM) is a substance which undergoes simultaneous melting and solidification at certain temperature and pressure and can thereby absorb and release thermal energy. Phase change materials are also called thermal batteries which have the ability to store large amount of heat at fixed temperature. Effective integration of the latent heat thermal energy storage system with solar thermal collectors depends on heat storage materials and heat exchangers. The practical limitation of the latent heat thermal energy system for successful implementation in various applications is mainly from its low thermal conductivity. Low thermal conductivity leads to low heat transfer coefficient, and thereby, the phase change process is prolonged which signifies the requirement of heat transfer enhancement techniques. Typically, for salt hydrates and organic PCMs, the thermal conductivity range varies between 0.4–0.7 W/m K and 0.15–0.3 W/m K which increases the thermal resistance within phase change materials during operation, seriously affecting efficiency and thermal response. This paper reviews the different geometry of commercial heat exchangers that can be used to address the problem of low thermal conductivity, like use of fins, additives with high thermal conductivity materials like metal strips, microencapsulated PCM, composite PCM, porous metals, porous metal foam matrix, carbon nanofibers and nanotubes, etc. Finally, different solar thermal applications and potential PCMs for low-temperature thermal energy storage were also discussed.

Solid/Liquid Phase Change Heat Transfer in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zhou ◽  
C. Y. Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Calcium Chloride ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Metal Foams ◽  
Chloride Hexahydrate

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been widely used for thermal energy storage systems due to their capability of storing and releasing large amounts of energy with a small volume and a moderate temperature variation. Most PCMs suffer the common problem of low thermal conductivity, being around 0.2 and 0.5 for paraffin and inorganic salts, respectively, which prolongs the charging and discharging period. In an attempt to improve the thermal conductivity of phase change materials, the graphite or metallic matrix is often embedded within PCMs to enhance the heat transfer. This paper presents an experimental study on heat transfer characteristics of PCMs embedded with open-celled metal foams. In this study both paraffin wax and calcium chloride hexahydrate are employed as the heat storage media. The transient heat transfer behavior is measured. Compared to the results of pure PCMs samples, the investigation shows that the additions of metal foams can double the overall heat transfer rate during the melting process. The results of calcium chloride hexahydrate are also compared with those of paraffin wax.

scholarly journals The Impact of Heat Exchangers’ Constructions on the Melting and Solidification Time of Phase Change Materials

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4840
Author(s):  
Ewelina Radomska ◽  
Lukasz Mika ◽  
Karol Sztekler ◽  
Lukasz Lis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems

An application of latent heat thermal energy storage systems with phase change materials seems to be unavoidable in the present world. The latent heat thermal energy storage systems allow for storing excessive heat during low demand and then releasing it during peak demand. However, a phase change material is only one of the components of a latent heat thermal energy storage system. The second part of the latent heat thermal energy storage is a heat exchanger that allows heat transfer between a heat transfer fluid and a phase change material. Thus, the main aim of this review paper is to present and systematize knowledge about the heat exchangers used in the latent heat thermal energy storage systems. Furthermore, the operating parameters influencing the phase change time of phase change materials in the heat exchangers, and the possibilities of accelerating the phase change are discussed. Based on the literature reviewed, it is found that the phase change time of phase change materials in the heat exchangers can be reduced by changing the geometrical parameters of heat exchangers or by using fins, metal foams, heat pipes, and multiple phase change materials. To decrease the phase change material’s phase change time in the tubular heat exchangers it is recommended to increase the number of tubes keeping the phase change material’s mass constant. In the case of tanks filled with spherical phase change material’s capsules, the capsules’ diameter should be reduced to shorten the phase change time. However, it is found that some changes in the constructions of heat exchangers reduce the melting time of the phase change materials, but they increase the solidification time.

scholarly journals Recent Investigations of Phase Change Materials Use in Solar Thermal Energy Storage System

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianjun Mao ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Li Peng
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Melting Point ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Temperature Heat

Solar thermal energy storage (TES) is an efficient way to solve the conflict between unsteady input energy and steady output energy in concentrating solar power plant. The latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system is a main method of storing thermal energy using phase change materials (PCMs). Thermal properties, that is, melting points and latent heat, are the key parameters of PCMs for the TES system. In this paper, the PCMs are classified into inorganic and organic by the chemical composition, and according to the melting point, the inorganic PCMs can be divided into three contributions: low-temperature heat storage (less than 120°C), medium-temperature heat storage (120–300°C), and high-temperature heat storage (more than 300°C). The present article focuses mainly on the recent investigations on the melting point and latent heat of PCMs via DSC setup in the solar TES systems. The results can provide a good reference for the selection and utilization of PCMs in the solar TES systems.

The Investigation of Phase Change Emulsion (PCE): Fabrication, Thermal Conductivity and Utilization of Nanoparticles

2013 ◽  
Vol 860-863 ◽  
pp. 862-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Fei Zheng ◽  
Zhong Zhu Qiu ◽  
Jie Chen
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Change Material

Phase change materials in the form of emulsion (PCE) is a category of novel phase change fluid used as heat storage and transfer media. It plays an important role in commercially viable applications (energy storage, particularly).The emulsion is made of microparticles of a phase change wax (a kind of paraffin or mixture ) as a phase change material (PCM), mixed paraffin directly with water. This paper presents information on the different PCM emulsions by different researchers. It gives the method of preparation of the PCE, and makes a special effort to investigate the heat transfer phenomena and the method of enhancing the thermal conductivity of the emulsion.

Microstructure and thermal characteristics of Mg–Sn alloys as phase change materials for thermal energy storage

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (98) ◽  
pp. 96327-96333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Fang ◽  
Xiaomin Cheng ◽  
Yuanyuan Li ◽  
Zheng Sun
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Latent Heat Storage

Latent heat storage proves to be one of the most efficient ways of storing thermal energy.

scholarly journals HEAT STORAGE SYSTEM WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS IN COGENERATION UNITS: STUDY OF PRELIMINARY MODEL

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Claudio Caprara ◽  
Giovanni Stoppiello
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Thermal Source ◽  
Continuous Increase

The continuous increase in the mechanization of farm activities, the rise in fuel prices and the environmental aspects concerning gas emissions are the main driving forces behind efforts toward more effective use of renewable energy sources and cogeneration systems even in agricultural and cattle farms. Nevertheless these systems are still not very suitable for this purpose because of their little flexibility in following the changing energy demand as opposed to the extremely various farm load curves, both in daytime and during the year. In heat recovery systems, the available thermal energy supply is always linked to power production, thus it does not usually coincide in time with the heat demand. Hence some form of thermal energy storage (TES) is necessary in order to reach the most effective utilization of the energy source. This study deals with the modelling of a packed bed latent heat TES unit, integrating a cogeneration system made up of a reciprocating engine. The TES unit contains phase change materials (PCMs) filled in spherical capsules, which are packed in an insulated cylindrical storage tank. Water is used as heat transfer fluid (HTF) to transfer heat from the tank to the final uses, and exhausts from the engine are used as thermal source. PCMs are considered especially for their large heat storage capacity and their isothermal behaviour during the phase change processes. Despite their high energy storage density, most of them have an unacceptably low thermal conductivity, hence PCMs encapsulation technique is adopted in order to improve heat transfer. The special modular configuration of heat exchange tubes and the possibility of changing water flow through them allow to obtain the right amount of thermal energy from the tank, according to the hourly demand of the day. The model permits to choose the electrical load of the engine, the dimensions of the tank and the spheres, thickness and diameter of heat exchanger and the nature of PCMs. According to the energy loads of the farm, a daily thermal energy balance is obtained and charging and discharging cycles during the day are showed as solid/ liquid percentages of the PCM. As an example, load curves of a milk cattle farm (100 heads of cattle), were considered in two different conditions, such as in summer and winter seasons, and model functioning was detected in both of the cases. Different PCMs were investigated for this application and TES unit dimensions were consequently changed in order to achieve optimal operating conditions. Results are presented and technical and economical issues are discussed.

scholarly journals High Temperature Thermal Energy Storage Utilizing Metallic Phase Change Materials and Metallic Heat Transfer Fluids

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes P. Kotzé ◽  
Theodor W. von Backström ◽  
Paul J. Erens
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Metallic Phase ◽  
High Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluids

Cost and volume savings are some of the advantages offered by the use of latent heat thermal energy storage (TES). Metallic phase change materials (PCMs) have high thermal conductivity, which relate to high charging and discharging rates in TES system, and can operate at temperatures exceeding 560 °C. In the study, a eutectic aluminium–silicon alloy, AlSi12, is identified as a good potential PCM. AlSi12 has a melting temperature of 577 °C, which is above the working temperature of regular heat transfer fluids (HTFs). The eutectic sodium–potassium alloy (NaK) is identified as an ideal HTF in a storage system that uses metallic PCMs. A concept is presented that integrates the TES-unit and steam generator into one unit. As NaK is highly reactive with water, the inherently high thermal conductivity of AlSi12 is utilized in order to create a safe concept. As a proof of concept, a steam power-generating cycle was considered that is especially suited for a TES using AlSi12 as PCM. The plant was designed to deliver 100 MW with 15 h of storage. Thermodynamic and heat transfer analysis showed that the concept is viable. The analysis indicated that the cost of the AlSi12 storage material is 14.7 US$per kWh of thermal energy storage.

scholarly journals Eutectic composition of selected phase change materials for thermal energy storage applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olakunle F Isamotu ◽  
Nicholas A Musa ◽  
Joshua B Aluko ◽  
Maclawrence A Oriaifo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Eutectic Mixture ◽  
Melting Points ◽  
Latent Heat Storage

Latent heat storage in salt mixture has drawn so much attention because of the salt mixture’s capability of storing   large quantity of heat when compared to single salt thereby, making it more feasible for use as phase change material.  However it is worthwhile to find out among various combination of salts forming eutectic   mixtures, the one that has the best energy storage capability by evaluating   and comparing their melting points and latent heat storage. So in this research work, four different types of eutectic mixture of   salts were prepared and experimentally   investigated for the best thermal energy storage capability.  The first eutectic mixture consists of 2.6g of LiNO3, 6.4g of NH4NO3   and 1g of NaNO3. The second eutectic mixture consists of1.75g of LiNO3,   3.9g of NH4NO3 and 1.1g of KNO3. The third one consists of 5.2g of   LiNO3, 13.7g   of NH4NO3 and 1g of NH4Cl) and the fourth one consists of 1.77g of LiNO3, 2.94g of NH4NO3,  1g of NaNO3 and 1g of NaCl. The latent heat and the melting point of the respective salt and their eutectic mixture were determined using digital differential scanning Apparatus.  The results obtained showed that the melting points and latent heats of  the first, second, third and fourth eutectic mixture  were 79.50C and 112kJ/kg,  80.50C and 114kJ/kg,  81.40C and 109kJ/kg,  84.40C and 119kJ/kg respectively.  In view of this, the eutectic mixture of 1.77g of LiNO3, 2.94g of NH4NO3, 1g of NaNO3 and 1g of NaCl with melting point of 84.40C and latent heat of 119KJ/Kg was found to possess the best thermal energy storage capability compared to others..Keywords—Eutectic mixture, Salts, Phase change materials (PCM), Latent heat storage

scholarly journals Review on the Integration of Phase Change Materials in Building Envelopes for Passive Latent Heat Storage

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 9305
Author(s):  
Mohamed Sawadogo ◽  
Marie Duquesne ◽  
Rafik Belarbi ◽  
Ameur El Amine Hamami ◽  
Alexandre Godin
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Latent Heat Storage ◽  
Building Envelopes

Latent heat thermal energy storage systems incorporate phase change materials (PCMs) as storage materials. The high energy density of PCMs, their ability to store at nearly constant temperature, and the diversity of available materials make latent heat storage systems particularly competitive technologies for reducing energy consumption in buildings. This work reviews recent experimental and numerical studies on the integration of PCMs in building envelopes for passive energy storage. The results of the different studies show that the use of PCMs can reduce the peak temperature and smooth the thermal load. The integration of PCMs can be done on the entire building envelope (walls, roofs, windows). Despite many advances, some aspects remain to be studied, notably the long-term stability of buildings incorporating PCMs, the issues of moisture and mass transfer, and the consideration of the actual use of the building. Based on this review, we have identified possible contributions to improve the efficiency of passive systems incorporating PCMs. Thus, fatty acids and their eutectic mixtures, combined with natural insulators, such as vegetable fibers, were chosen to make shape-stabilized PCMs composites. These composites can be integrated in buildings as a passive thermal energy storage material.

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