Metallic Phase Change Material's Microstructural Stability Under Repetitive Melting/Solidification Cycles

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Báez ◽  
Luis E. González ◽  
Manny X. de Jesús-López ◽  
Pedro O. Quintero ◽  
Lauren M. Boteler

Abstract Metallic phase change materials (mPCMs) have been demonstrated as potential passive cooling solution for pulse power applications. The possibility of integrating a metallic PCM directly on top of a heat source, reducing the thermal resistance between the device and the cooling system, could result in a significant improvement in thermal management for transient applications. However, many thermo-physical properties of these alloys are still unknown; furthermore, their microstructural stability with repetitive melting/solidification cycles is not warrant. In this work, we provide a series of potential mPCMs for thermal management of electronics operating on a wide range of application temperatures, followed by an experimental investigation of microstructural and thermo-physical stability of these materials under repetitive melting solidification cycles. The results of the effect of cyclic thermal loading of theses alloys on the melting behavior and latent heat of fusion are discussed. Thermal stability of 51.0 wt  % In–32.5 wt %Bi–16.5 wt %Sn and 50 wt %Bi–26.7 wt %Pb–13.3 wt %Sn–10 wt %Cd alloys, as potential midtemperature mPCM, has been evaluated. The results suggest that these mPCMs maintain their thermo-physical stability over large periods of thermal cycles.

Author(s):  
Rafael Báez ◽  
Luis E. González ◽  
Pedro O. Quintero ◽  
Lauren M. Boteler

Abstract Metallic phase change materials (mPCMs) have been demonstrated as potential passive cooling solution for pulse power applications. The possibility of integrating a metallic PCM directly on top of a heat source, reducing the thermal resistance between the device and the cooling system, could result in a significant improvement in thermal management for transient applications. However, many thermo-physical properties of these alloys are still unknown, furthermore their microstructural stability with repetitive melting/solidification cycles is not warrant. In this work we provide a series of potential mPCMs for thermal management of electronics operating on a wide range of application temperatures, followed by an experimental investigation of microstructural and thermo-physical stability of these materials under repetitive melting solidification cycles. Results of the effect of cyclic thermal loading of theses alloys on the melting behavior and latent heat of fusion is discussed. Thermal stability of 51.0 wt.% In-32.5 wt.%Bi-16.5 wt.%Sn and 50wt.%Bi-26.7wt%Pb-13.3wt%Sn-10wt%Cd alloys, as potential mid temperature mPCM, have been evaluated. The results suggest that these mPCM maintain their thermo-physical stability over large periods of thermal cycles.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakhtiyar Mohammad Nafis ◽  
Ange-Christian Iradukunda ◽  
David Huitink

Abstract Electronic packaging for automotive applications are at particular risk of thermomechanical failure due to the naturally harsh conditions it is exposed to. With the rise of electric and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs and HEVs), combined with a desire to miniaturize, the challenge of removing enough heat from electronic devices in automotive vehicles is evolving. This paper closely examines the new challenges in thermal management in various driving environments and aims to classify each existing cooling method in terms of performance. Particular focus is placed upon emerging solutions regarded to hold great potential, such as phase-change materials (PCMs). PCMs have been regarded for some time as a means of transferring heat quickly away from the region with the electronic components and are widely regarded as a possible means of carrying out cooling in large scale from small areas, because of their high latent heat of fusion, high specific heat, temperature stability, and small volume change during phase change, etc. They have already been utilized as a method of passive cooling in electronics in various ways, but their adoption in automotive power electronics, such as in traction inverters, has yet to be fulfilled. A brief discussion is made on some of the potential areas of application and challenges relating to more widespread adoption of PCMs, with reference to a case study using computational model of a commercially available power module used in automotive applications.


Author(s):  
David Gonzalez-Nino ◽  
Lauren M. Boteler ◽  
Nicholas R. Jankowski ◽  
Dimeji Ibitayo ◽  
Pedro O. Quintero

Metallic phase change materials (PCMs) have been demonstrated as an excellent alternative to act as a passive cooling system for pulse power applications. The possibility of integrating metallic PCMs, directly on top of a heat source, reducing the thermal resistance between the device and the cooling solution, could result in a significant improvement in thermal management for transient applications. However, the effectiveness of this method of implementation will depend on the quality of the interface between the metallic PCM and the heat source. For this work, a metallic PCM (49Bi/18Pb/12Sn/21In-Bi/Pb/Sn/In for simplicity) was placed directly on top of a device that has a layer of silicon nitride on the top. The device was pulsed with powers of 40W – 160W (84W/cm2 – 338W/cm2) with a 20 ms duration. After reaching the maximum power, the device was pulsed for a second cycle, and the temperature profiles were compared. Micrographical inspections, at the interlayer between the silicon nitride and metallic PCM, were performed before and after the pulses and compared. A maximum temperature of ≈20–25% higher was observed in the performance (at 80W) after pulse cycling. A visual inspection at the mating surfaces, between the metallic PCM and device, showed a clear difference between the contact surfaces before and after pulses. Significant voiding at the PCM interfacial layer was observed after cyclic loading which is believed to be the cause of the recorded increment in maximum temperature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (HiTen) ◽  
pp. 000045-000051
Author(s):  
A. Novikov ◽  
J. Maxa ◽  
M. Nowottnick ◽  
M. Heimann ◽  
K. Jarchoff

Abstract Power electronics is a key technology for the advancement and spreading of electromobility applications and compact power supply devices on the market. The use of new WBG semiconductors (e.g. SiC, GaN) as well as highly integrated silicon-based power electronics enables a significant increase in power density with increasing integration. At the same time, however, this development requires costly thermal management solutions, since the power semiconductors generate considerable heat loss during operation. To ensure the robustness of the systems, the components must be protected from critical temperatures. Nowadays, a considerable effort for active and passive cooling by fans, microfluidic systems or heat pipes is operated. Compared with that, the usage of phase change materials (PCM) is a novel approach for sophisticated thermal management [1], [2]. In this paper some selected results of research project SWE-eT (Heat-retaining coatings for next-generation, efficient, compact power electronics) funded as part of KomroL program (Compact and robust power electronics of the next generation) of German Federal Ministry of Education and Research are presented. Main goal of this project is development, investigation and testing of efficient thermal management solutions based on heat-storing layer systems through phase transition processes. The research project was focused on investigation of sugar alcohols as PCM because of its wide range of melting temperature, high enthalpy of fusion and low cost.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 03034
Author(s):  
Muhammad Amin ◽  
Bambang Ariantara ◽  
Nandy Putra ◽  
Adjie Fahrizal Sandi ◽  
Nasruddin A. Abdullah

The performance of an electric vehicle depends on the battery used. While, in the operation of an electric vehicle, batteries experience a quick heating especially at the beginning of charging and could cause a fire. Therefore, the solution could be proposed is by employing heat pipe and Phase Change Material (PCM) for cooling of battery. The heat pipe serves to transfer the battery’s heat energy. In other hands, PCM functions as a heat sink when the battery runs, so its performance will stable and extend the lifespan. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of electric vehicle batteries at a temperature of 50°C using the combination of heat pipe and PCM. The ‘L’ type of heat pipe and beeswax PCM were assembled as cooling device. In addition, a battery simulator was employed as a test instrument by varying the heat load of 20, 30, 40, and 50 W. The experiments were successfully conducted, and the results showed that the addition of heat pipe and PCM could keep the surface temperature of battery below 50°C, at heat load of 20 - 50 W. Heat pipe and PCM for battery’s cooling system, can reduce the battery surface temperature significantly and can be proposed as an alternative system for cooling battery.


Author(s):  
Jonathan Young ◽  
Jingru Benner ◽  
Anthony D. Santamaria

Electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices are becoming a large part of the renewable energy market. For these systems to operate optimally over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions, advanced strategies for thermal management must be developed. Incorporating microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCM), which utilize latent heat storage, into coolant fluids has been shown to increase the fluid’s thermal capacity. This mitigates the temperature gradient between the coolant loop inlet and outlet which is important in systems such as fuel cells and batteries where sensitivity to temperature directly impacts the electrochemical reaction, transport processes, and component lifetimes. The use of MEPCMs may allow for lower coolant flow rates which may reduce parasitic pumping power, further increasing overall system efficiency. In this work MEPCM material is added to liquid water at several mass concentration ratios, and an analytical study was conducted to determine pressure drop and channel power requirements. The viscosity of the slurry is measured along with its density, conductivity, and heat capacity as a function of temperature. Inlet and outlet channel slurry temperatures are monitored, flow rate is controlled, and the heat flux can be varied to simulate waste heat outputs of various devices. From this data the optimal conditions for the slurry flow can be assessed and thermal management strategies can be designed for specific devices.


2021 ◽  
Vol 875 ◽  
pp. 184-192
Author(s):  
Kashif Ali ◽  
Rizwan Mahmood Gul ◽  
Salman Noshear Arshad ◽  
Muhammad Ali Kamran

The most widely used personal protective system against heat stress is cooling vest that contains phase change material (PCM) for thermal energy storage. PCMs have the property of absorbing/releasing heat when they change their phase at their melting point. If the PCM has greater heat of fusion, more heat is absorbed; furthermore, good thermal conductivity assists in efficient removal of heat. In this work different PCMs are explored for use in personalized cooling vest. Hexadecane is finally selected to be used as a PCM having a melting point of 18-20 °C (which lies in the human thermal comfort) and heat of fusion of 241 kJ/kg. Carbon nanotubes have excellent capability of increasing thermal conductivity of a material. Carbon nanotubes were added in hexadecane, and latent heat of fusion of the mixture increased up to 262.6 kJ/kg.


Author(s):  
Johnathon P. Putrus ◽  
Stanley T. Jones ◽  
Badih A. Jawad ◽  
Giscard Kfoury ◽  
Selin Arslan ◽  
...  

Thermal management systems (TMS) of armored ground vehicle designs are often incapable of sustained heat rejection during high tractive effort conditions and ambient conditions. Latent heat energy storage systems that utilize Phase Change Materials (PCMs) present an effective way of storing thermal energy and offer key advantages such as high-energy storage density, high heat of fusion values, and greater stability in temperature control. Military vehicles frequently undergo high-transient thermal loads and often do not provide adequate cooling for powertrain subsystems. This work outlines an approach to temporarily store excess heat generated by the transmission during high tractive effort situations through the use of a passive PCM retrofit thereby extending the operating time, reducing temperature transients, and limiting overheating. A numerical heat transfer model has been developed based on a conceptual vehicle transmission TMS. The model predicts the transmission fluid temperature response with and without a PCM retrofit. The developed model captures the physics of the phase change processes to predict the transient heat absorption and rejection processes. It will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed candidate implementations and provide input for TMS evaluations. Parametric studies of the heat transfer model have been conducted to establish desirable structural morphologies and PCM thermophysical properties. Key parameters include surface structural characteristics, conduction enhancing material, surface area, and PCM properties such as melt temperature, heat of fusion, and thermal conductivity. To demonstrate proof-of-concept, a passive PCM enclosure has been designed to be integrated between a transmission bell housing and torque converter. This PCM-augmented module will temporarily strategically absorb and release heat from the system at a controlled rate. This allows surging fluid temperatures to be clamped below the maximum effective fluid temperature rating thereby increasing component life, reliability, and performance. This work outlines cooling system boundary conditions, mobility/thermal loads, model details, enclosure design characteristics, potential PCM candidates, design considerations, performance data, cooling system impacts, conclusions, and potential future work.


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