scholarly journals Selection of the Appropriate Phase Change Material for Two Innovative Compact Energy Storage Systems in Residential Buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Zsembinszki ◽  
Angel G. Fernández ◽  
Luisa F. Cabeza

The implementation of thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials to support the integration of renewable energies is a key element that allows reducing the energy consumption in buildings by increasing self-consumption and system efficiency. The selection of the most suitable phase change material is an important part of the successful implementation of the thermal energy storage system. The aim of this paper is to present the methodology used to assess the suitability of potential phase change materials to be used in two innovative energy storage systems, one of them being mainly intended to provide cooling, while the other provides heating and domestic hot water to residential buildings. The selection methodology relies on a qualitative decision matrix, which uses some common features of phase change materials to assign an overall score to each material that should allow comparing the different options. Experimental characterization of the best candidates was also performed to help in making a final decision. The results indicate some of the most suitable candidates for both systems, with RT4 being the most promising commercial phase change material for the system designed to provide cooling, while for the system designed to provide heating and domestic hot water, the most promising candidate is RT64HC, another commercial product.

2021 ◽  
Vol 283 ◽  
pp. 124653
Author(s):  
S. Christopher ◽  
K. Parham ◽  
A.H. Mosaffa ◽  
M.M. Farid ◽  
Zhenjun Ma ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 787 ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Murali ◽  
K. Mayilsamy ◽  
B.Mubarak Ali

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) has become extremely important in the recent years since it balances the energy demand and improves the efficiency of the solar systems. It is important that the thermal energy storage systems have the necessary characteristics to improve the performance of the storage. Usage of Phase Change Materials (PCM) for energy storage provides a great benefit but, their low thermal conductivity becomes a major drawback. This can be compensated with the use of phase change material in an appropriate design for successful functioning of the system. This review article summarizes the recent designs of thermal energy storage systems containing Phase Change Material that have been adopted for efficient energy storage.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3821
Author(s):  
Kassianne Tofani ◽  
Saeed Tiari

Latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTES) are useful for solar energy storage and many other applications, but there is an issue with phase change materials (PCMs) having low thermal conductivity. This can be enhanced with fins, metal foam, heat pipes, multiple PCMs, and nanoparticles (NPs). This paper reviews nano-enhanced PCM (NePCM) alone and with additional enhancements. Low, middle, and high temperature PCM are classified, and the achievements and limitations of works are assessed. The review is categorized based upon enhancements: solely NPs, NPs and fins, NPs and heat pipes, NPs with highly conductive porous materials, NPs and multiple PCMs, and nano-encapsulated PCMs. Both experimental and numerical methods are considered, focusing on how well NPs enhanced the system. Generally, NPs have been proven to enhance PCM, with some types more effective than others. Middle and high temperatures are lacking compared to low temperature, as well as combined enhancement studies. Al2O3, copper, and carbon are some of the most studied NP materials, and paraffin PCM is the most common by far. Some studies found NPs to be insignificant in comparison to other enhancements, but many others found them to be beneficial. This article also suggests future work for NePCM and LHTES systems.


Author(s):  
Dominic Groulx ◽  
Wilson Ogoh

One way of storing thermal energy is through the use of latent heat energy storage systems. One such system, composed of a cylindrical container filled with paraffin wax, through which a copper pipe carrying hot water is inserted, is presented in this paper. It is shown that the physical processes encountered in the flow of water, the heat transfer by conduction and convection, and the phase change behavior of the phase change material can be modeled numerically using the finite element method. Only charging (melting) is treated in this paper. The appearance and the behavior of the melting front can be simulated by modifying the specific heat of the PCM to account for the increased amount of energy, in the form of latent heat of fusion, needed to melt the PCM over its melting temperature range. The effects of adding fins to the system are also studied, as well as the effects of the water inlet velocity.


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