scholarly journals Numerical Investigation of a Phase Change Material Including Natural Convection Effects

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 348
Author(s):  
Assunta Andreozzi ◽  
Marcello Iasiello ◽  
Claudio Tucci
Keyword(s):  
Heat Capacity ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Variable Temperature ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Organic Rankine Cycle ◽  
Stored Energy ◽  
Solar Source

Nowadays, Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is one of the most promising technologies analyzed for electrical power generation from low-temperature heat such as renewable energy sources (RES), especially solar energy. Because of the solar source variation throughout the day, additional Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems can be employed to store the energy surplus saved during the daytime, in order to use it at nighttime or when meteorological conditions are adverse. In this context, latent heat stored in phase-change transition by Phase Change Materials (PCM) allows them to stock larger amounts of energy because of the larger latent energy values as compared to the specific heat capacity. In this study, a thermal analysis of a square PCM for a solar ORC is carried out, considering four different boundary conditions that refer to different situations. Furthermore, differences in including or not natural convection effects in the model are shown. Governing equations for the PCM are written with references to the heat capacity method and solved with a finite element scheme. Experimental data from literature are employed to simulate the solar source using a time-variable temperature boundary condition. Results are presented in terms of temperature profiles, stored energy, velocity fields and melting fraction, showing that natural convection effects are remarkable on the temperature values and consequently on the stored energy achieved.

scholarly journals Influence of Adding Encapsulated Phase Change Materials in Aerial Lime Based Mortars

2013 ◽  
Vol 687 ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Cunha ◽  
José Barroso Aguiar ◽  
Victor Ferreira ◽  
António Tadeu
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
High Growth ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Growth Rate ◽  
Aesthetic Appearance ◽  
Hardened State ◽  
High Energy Consumption

Increasingly in a society with a high growth rate and standards of comfort, the need to minimize the currently high energy consumption by taking advantage of renewable energy sources arises. The mortars with incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) have the ability to regulate the temperature inside buildings, contributing for an increase in the level of thermal comfort and reduction of the use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, using only the energy supplied by the sun. However, the incorporation of PCM in mortars modifies some of its characteristics. Therefore, the main objective of this study was the characterization of mortars doped with two different phase change materials. Specific properties of different PCM, such as particle size, shape and enthalpy were studied, as well as the properties of the fresh and hardened state of these mortars. Nine different compositions were developed which were initially doped with microcapsules of PCM A and subsequently doped with microcapsules of PCM B. It was possible to observe that the incorporation of phase change materials in mortars causes differences in properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength and shrinkage. After the study of the behaviour of these mortars with the incorporation of two different phase change materials, it was possible to select the composition with a better compromise between its aesthetic appearance, physical and mechanical characteristics.

Natural Convection in an Enclosure With Blend of Micro Encapsulated Phase Change Materials

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Khakpour ◽  
Jamal Seyed-Yagoobi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Expansion ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Effective Density

This numerical study investigates the effect of using a blend of micro-encapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) on the heat transfer characteristics of a liquid in a rectangular enclosure driven by natural convection. A comparison has been made between the cases of using single component MEPCM slurry and a blend of two-component MEPCM slurry. The natural convection is generated by the temperature difference between two vertical walls of the enclosure maintained at constant temperatures. Each of the two phase change materials store latent heat at a specific range of temperatures. During phase change of the PCM, the effective density of the slurry varies. This results in thermal expansion and hence a buoyancy driven flow. The effects of MEPCM concentration in the slurry and changes in the operating conditions such as the wall temperatures compared to that of pure water have been studied. The MEPCM latent heat and the increased volumetric thermal expansion coefficient during phase change of the MEPCM play a major role in this heat transfer augmentation.

scholarly journals Performance Assessment of Phase Change Materials Integrated with Building Envelope for Heating Application in Cold Locations

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Qudama M. Q. Al-Yasiri ◽  
Márta Szabó
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Cold Climates ◽  
Building Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Storage Applications ◽  
Heating Loads

Phase change materials (PCMs) are increasingly investigated in the last years as successful in many thermal energy storage applications. In the building sector, PCMs are utilised to improve building efficiency by reducing cooling/heating loads and promoting renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. This paper shows the recent research works on integrating PCMs with building envelope for heating purposes. The main PCM categories and their main characteristics are presented, focusing on PCM types applied for building heating applications. The main methods adopted to incorporate PCMs with building elements and materials are mentioned, and the popular passive and active incorporation techniques are discussed. Lastly, the main contribution to building energy saving is discussed in terms of heating applications. The analysed studies indicated that all PCMs could improve the building energy saving in the cold climates by up to 44.16% regardless of their types and techniques. Several conclusions and recommendations are derived from the analysed studies that are believed to be a guideline for further research.

scholarly journals Experimental Evaluation of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials in a Finned Storage Unit

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 5814-5818
Author(s):  
M. A. Aichouni ◽  
N. F. Alshammari ◽  
N. Ben Khedher ◽  
M. Aichouni
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Al2o3 Nanoparticles ◽  
Storage Unit ◽  
Experimental Apparatus

The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind necessitates integration with energy-storage units to enable realistic applications. In this study, thermal performance enhancement of the finned Cylindrical Thermal Energy Storage (C-TES) with nano-enhanced Phase Change Material (PCM) integrated with the water heating system under Storage, Charging and Discharging (SCD) conditions were investigated experimentally. The effects of the addition of copper oxide (CuO) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles in PCM on thermal conductivity, specific heat, and on charging and discharging performance rates were theoretically and experimentally investigated and studied in detail. The experimental apparatus utilized paraffin wax as PCM, which was filled in Finned C-TES to conduct the experiments. The experimental results showed a positive improvement compared with the non-nano additive PCM. The significance and originality of this project lies within the evaluation and identification of preferable metal-oxides with higher potential for improving thermal performance.

Thermal Analysis of Phase Change Material Based Heat Transfer Fluid in Solar Thermal Collector

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler J. E. O’Neil ◽  
Celine S. L. Lim ◽  
Sarvenaz Sobhansarbandi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Capacity ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Specific Heat ◽  
Specific Heat Capacity ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Liquid Form ◽  
High Specific Heat ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) are commonly used as energy storage mediums in solar thermal systems. This paper investigates the mixture of PCM doped with nanoparticles to be used as HTFs directly integrated in a U-pipe ETC to be applied in solar thermal collectors. The selected type of PCM-HTF in this study is erythritol (C4H10O4), with high specific heat capacity in liquid form, as well as its unique sub-cooling behavior. In order to overcome the low thermal conductivity of erythritol and further enhance specific heat capacity, a weight concentration of 1% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) is added. Additionally, to insure even distribution of MWCNT and consistent properties of the HTF, triethanolamine (TEA) is proposed to be incorporated as a dispersant. The samples were each tested in a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) to analyze their thermal properties. The results from the DSC tests show 12.4% enhancement of specific heat capacity of the proposed HTF mixture as well as nearly 5° C depression of freezing onset temperature. This study allows for the optimization of the operating temperature range of the collector when integrated with these materials, where direct heat gain can be obtained in the collector.

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