A Hybrid Decision-Making Method for the Selection of a Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uma Maheswararao Gaddala ◽  
Jaya Krishna Devanuri
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermophysical Properties ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Temperature Heat ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Melting And Solidification

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) are considered to be promising contenders for thermal energy storage (TES) due to their high latent heat and nearly constant temperature during the intake/release of heat. The present study focuses on providing the most suitable PCM for low-temperature (40–80 °C) heat storage applications. However, the selection of the most suitable one from the wide range of PCMs for an application needs a thorough insight of their thermophysical properties, thermal stability, compatibility, and melting and solidification behavior. Among the PCMs available for low-temperature heat storage applications, organic PCMs stand as an attractive option. Based on melting point temperature, latent heat, cost, and ease of availability, five widely used organic PCMs, viz., lauric acid (LA), myristic acid (MA), stearic acid (SA), paraffin wax (PW), and palmitic acid (PA), are selected. Initially, thermophysical properties are measured and tabulated. Subsequently, thermal stability experiments up to 1500 melting/freezing cycles, compatibility studies with container materials (aluminum and stainless steel (SS)), and melting and solidification experiments giving total melting and solidification times are performed. Further, a hybrid multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) method is employed to select the best PCM based on the obtained experimental results. During the selection process at first, the subjective weights of the attributes are measured according to the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Later, the PCMs are ranked based on the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The hybrid MADM results show that among the selected PCMs, paraffin wax is the optimal PCM for low-temperature heat storage applications.

scholarly journals Thermal Characterization of Medium-Temperature Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for Thermal Energy Storage Using the T-History Method

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 7371
Author(s):  
Paulina Rolka ◽  
Roman Kwidzinski ◽  
Tomasz Przybylinski ◽  
Adam Tomaszewski
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Thermophysical Properties ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Stored Energy ◽  
Medium Temperature ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
Selection Of

To reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency in the building sector, thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCMs) is used. The knowledge of the thermophysical properties and the characteristics of PCMs (like their enthalpy changes and the distribution of stored energy over a specified temperature range) is essential for proper selection of the PCM and optimal design of the latent thermal energy store (LHTES). This paper presents experimental tests of the thermophysical properties of three medium-temperature PCMs: OM65, OM55, RT55, which can be used in domestic hot water installations and heating systems. Self-made test chambers with temperature control using Peltier cells were used to perform measurements according to the T-history method. In this way the temperature range of the phase transition, latent heat, specific heat capacity, enthalpy and the distributions of stored energy of the three PCMs were determined. The paper also presents measurements of the thermal conductivity of these PCMs in liquid and solid state using a self-made pipe Poensgen apparatus. The presented experimental tests results are in good agreement with the manufacturers’ data and the results of other researchers obtained with the use of specialized instruments. The presented research results are intended to help designers in the selection of the right PCM for the future LHTES co-working with renewable energy systems, waste heat recovery systems and building heating systems.

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.

scholarly journals Thermal Conductivity Enhancement of Phase Change Materials for Low-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage Applications

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randeep Singh ◽  
Sadegh Sadeghi ◽  
Bahman Shabani
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Heat Load ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Solidification Processes ◽  
Energy Storage Applications ◽  
Melting And Solidification

Low thermal conductivity is the main drawback of phase change materials (PCMs) that is yet to be fully addressed. This paper studies several efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use experimental techniques to enhance thermal conductivity of an organic phase change material used for low-temperature thermal energy storage applications. In such applications, the challenges associated with low thermal conductivity of such organic PCMs are even more pronounced. In this investigation, polyethylene glycol (PEG-1000) is used as PCM. To improve the thermal conductivity of the selected PCM, three techniques including addition of carbon powder, and application of aluminum and graphite fins, are utilized. For measurement of thermal conductivity, two experimental methods—including flat and cylindrical configurations—are devised and increments in thermal conductivity are calculated. Melting and solidification processes are analyzed to evaluate melting and solidification zones, and temperature ranges for melting and solidification processes respectively. Furthermore, latent heat of melting is computed under constant values of heat load. Ultimately, specific heat of the PCM in solid state is measured by calorimetry method considering water and methanol as calorimeter fluids. Based on the results, the fin stack can enhance the effective thermal conductivity by more than 40 times with aluminum fins and 33 times with carbon fins. For pure PCM sample, Initiation of melting takes place around 37 °C and continues to above 40 °C depending on input heat load; and solidification temperature range was found to be 33.6–34.9 °C. The investigation will provide a twofold pathway, one to enhance thermal conductivity of PCMs, and secondly ‘relatively easy to set-up’ methods to measure properties of pure and enhanced PCMs.

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