Numerical heat transfer studies of PCMs used in a box-type solar cooker

Theoretical investigations on the phase change materials (PCMs) used as the heat storage media for box-type solar cookers have been conducted in this study. The selected PCMs are magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, stearic acid, acetamide, acetanilide and erythritol. For a two-dimensional simulation model based on the enthalpy approach, calculations have been made for the melt fraction with conduction only. Different materials such as glass, stainless steel, tin, aluminum mixed, aluminum and copper are used as the heat exchanger container materials in the numerical calculations. The large value of thermal conductivity of heat exchanger container material did not make a significant contribution on the melt fraction except for at very low thermal conductivities. Based on the theoretical results, stearic acid and acetamide are found to be good compatibility with latent heat storage system. It is also found that the initial temperature of PCM does not have very important effects on the melting time, while the boundary wall temperature plays an important role during the melting and has a strong effect on the melt fraction. The results also show that the effect of thickness of container material on the melt fraction is insignificant. The results obtained in this paper show that in a box-type solar cooker, acetamide and stearic acid should be used as a latent heat storage materials.     

Effect of thermo physical properties of heat exchanger material on the performance of latent heat storage system using an enthalpy method

In this paper, a simple two‐dimensional theoretical model based on enthalpy formulation of a latent heat storage system has been developed to study the effects of thermo physical properties of heat exchanger container materials on the thermal performance of the storage system. Numerical results show that thermal conductivity, specific heat and density of the heat exchanger container materials increases, the melting time of the PCM decreases. Numerical results also show that high value of thermal conductivity of the heat exchanger container materials did not make significant contribution on the melt fraction. It is also found that initial temperature of the PCM does not have very important effects on the melting time, while the boundary wall temperature play an important role during melting. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Some fatty acids used for latent heat storage: thermal stability and corrosion of metals with respect to thermal cycling

The present study includes thermal stability of some fatty acids as phase change materials (PCMs). The selected fatty acids were stearic, palmitic, myristic and lauric acid with melting temperatures between 40–63°C and industrial-grade with 90–95 % purity. Latent heat storage capacity and phase transition temperature of the PCMs were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) technique as a function of after repeated thermal cycles such as 40, 410, 700 and 910. The present work also comprises the investigation of corrosion resistance of some construction materials to the fatty acids over a long period. The containment materials tested were stainless steel (SS 304 L), carbon steel (steel C20), aluminium (Al) and copper (Cu). Gravimetric analysis as mass loss (mg/cm²), corrosion rate (mg/day) and a microscopic or matellographic investigation were performed for corrosion tests after 910 thermal cycles. DSC measurements showed that all fatty acids investigated as PCMs have a good thermal stability as a function of latent heat and phase transition temperature range for an actual middle-term thermal energy storage utility. However, in long-term solar thermal applications, the palmitic acid and myristic acid may be considered more suitable PCMs than the others. From the gravimetric and metallographic results, it can be concluded that stainless steel (SS 304L) with chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) surface layer and Al with aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) surface layer are essentially compatible with the investigated fatty acids. Carbon steel (Steel C20) and Cupper (Cu) are only preferantially compatible with PCMs.     

Study on preparation and thermal properties of binary fatty acid/diatomite shape-stabilized phase change materials

The choice of fatty acids as shape-stabilized phase change materials (PCMs) will increase the feasibilities of PCMs in practical applications due to the low price of the fatty acids. Compounding different fatty acids for each other is an effective way to obtain a PCM with a suitable phase-transition temperature. In this study, a series of binary fatty acids composed by capric acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid for each other were prepared using the phase diagram thermal dynamics calculation method. Then these binary fatty acids are absorbed in four kinds of diatomites with different specific areas, which act as a supporting material, to prepare shape-stabilized PCMs. The prepared shape-stabilized PCMs are characterized by the Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis method. The results show that there is an optimum absorption ratio between binary fatty acids and the diatomite. The latent heat of capric-lauric acid/diatomite decreases to 57% of that of capric-lauric acid, and the phase-transition temperature rises from 16.36 to 16.74 °C when the capric-lauric acid is absorbed in the diatomite. The prepared capric-lauric acid/diatomite composite PCM has proper melting temperatures and latent heat for thermal energy storage application in buildings.     

The thermal storage performance of mixtures consisting of liquid paraffin and fatty acids

The thermal storage performance of binary mixtures consisting of fatty acids and liquid paraffin (LP) was studied experimentally. The study is to look for the material with suitable phase transition temperature and high phase change latent heat. The phase transition temperatures of binary mixtures consisting of capric acid and other four kinds of fatty acid are between 20°C and 30°C, and the phase change latent heat is high. They are ideal phase change materials used in the wall. The binary mixtures consisting of stearic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid (LA) and myristic acid have high phase transition temperatures, and they are not suitable to use in the wall. The phase transition temperatures of mixtures consisting of LP and LA are between 20°C and 30°C, and the phase change latent heat is high. They can be used in the wall. The thermal stability of fatty binary mixtures is good.     

The capric and lauric acid mixture with chemical additives as latent heat storage materials for cooling application

The mixture of capric acid and lauric acid (C-L acid), with the respective mole composition of 65% and 35%, is a potential phase change material (PCM). Its melting point of 18.0°C, however, is considered high for cooling application of thermal energy storage. The thermophysical and heat transfer characteristics of the C-L acid with some organic additives are investigated. Compatibility of C-L acid combinations with additives in different proportions and their melting characteristics are analyzed using the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Among the chemical additives, methyl salicylate, eugenol, and cineole presented the relevant melting characteristics. The individual heat transfer behavior and thermal storage performance of 0.1 mole fraction of these additives in the C-L acid mixture are evaluated. The radial and axial temperature distribution during charging and discharging at different concentrations of selected PCM combinations are experimentally determined employing a vertical cylindrical shell and tube heat exchanger. The methyl salicylate in theC-L acid provided the most effective additive in the C-L acid. It demonstrated the least melting band width aimed at lowering the melting point of the C-L acid with the highest heat of fusion value with relatively comparable rate of heat transfer. Furthermore, the thermal performance based on the total amount of transferred energy and their rates, established the PCM’s latent heat storage capability.     

Thermal energy storage properties of a capric acid/stearic acid binary system and a 48# paraffin/liquid paraffin binary system

In this paper, the phase change temperature, latent heat and thermal stability of a capric acid/stearic acid binary system and a 48# paraffin/liquid paraffin binary system were experimentally studied. The experimental results showed that the phase change temperature and phase change latent heat change with the content of the component. The phase change temperatures of binary mixtures change in a wide range, so they can be used in different fields by adjusting the mixing ratio. The phase change latent heat of fatty acid mixtures is higher than that of paraffin mixtures. The thermal stability of fatty acid mixtures is better than that of paraffin mixtures. The mixtures used in the phase change material wall or the phase change material floor as energy storage materials were given in the paper.     

Experimental study of the phase change and energy characteristics inside a cylindrical latent heat energy storage system: Part 2 simultaneous charging and discharging

The time mismatch between energy availability and energy demand with solar domestic hot water (SDHW) systems is often solved using energy storage. Energy storage systems typically employ water for thermal energy storage, however, water storage takes up considerable space and weight due to the large volumes required under certain conditions. A latent heat energy storage system (LHESS) may provide a valuable solution to the space and weight issue, while also correcting the energy mismatch by storing energy in phase change materials (PCMs) when it is available, dispensing energy when it is in demand, and acting as a heat exchanger when there is supply and demand simultaneously. PCMs are advantageous as energy storage materials due to their high energy density which reduces the space requirements for energy storage. However, heat transfer problems arise due to the inherently low thermal conductivity of PCMs. Simultaneous charging and discharging has not been addressed in literature making questionable the ability of a LHESS to operate as a heat exchanger during the mode of operation. The main objective of this research is to study the heat transfer processes and phase change behavior of a PCM during simultaneous charging and discharging of a LHESS.In Part 2 of this paper, experiments are performed using a vertical cylindrical LHESS which is charged and discharged simultaneously to replicate latent heat energy storage paired with a SDHW system with simultaneous energy supply and demand. Dodecanoic acid is used as the PCM. Experimental results for simultaneous operations are presented, under various scenarios and flow rates for both the hot and cold heat transfer fluids. The ability of the system to directly transfer heat between the hot and cold heat transfer fluids is studied, and the results found during consecutive, or separate, charging and discharging, presented in Part 1 of this paper, are compared to the results found during simultaneous charging and discharging. It was found that natural convection in the melted PCM clearly provides an advantage towards direct heat exchange between the hot and cold heat transfer fluid; while the low thermal conductivity of solid PCM provides a barrier to this direct energy exchange.     

Thermal energy storage properties of the capric acid–stearic acid binary system and 48# paraffin–liquid paraffin binary system

In this paper, the phase change temperature, latent heat and thermal stability of the capric acid–stearic acid binary system and 48# paraffin–liquid paraffin binary system were experimentally studied. The experimental results showed that the phase change temperature and phase change latent heat change with the content of the component. The phase change temperature of binary mixtures changes in a wide range, so they can be used in different fields by adjusting mixing ratio. The phase change latent heat of fatty acid mixtures is higher than that of paraffin mixtures. The thermal stability of fatty acid mixtures is better than that of paraffin mixtures. The mixtures used in the phase change material (PCM) wall or the PCM floor as energy storage materials are given in the paper.     

A comparison of heat transfer enhancement in a medium temperature thermal energy storage heat exchanger using fins

An experimental energy storage system has been designed using a horizontal concentric tube heat exchanger incorporating a medium temperature phase change material (PCM) Erythritol, with a melting point of 117.7 °C. Three experimental configurations, a control system with no heat transfer enhancement and systems augmented with circular and longitudinal fins have been studied. The results presented compare the system heat transfer characteristics using isotherm plots and temperature-time curves. The system with longitudinal fins gave the best performance with increased thermal response during charging and reduced subcooling in the melt during discharging. The experimentally measured data for the control, circular finned and longitudinal finned systems have been shown to vindicate the assumption of axissymmetry (direction parallel to the heat transfer fluid flow) using temperature gradients in the axial, radial and angular directions in the double pipe PCM system.     

Optimization simulation of tube-type phase change heat storage unit

列管式换热器具有结构牢固、传热面积大、材料使用适应性强等优点,是相变储热领域应用较为广泛的一种换热器。但由于大部分相变材料热导率偏低,导致换热器的换热性能较差,因此提高相变储热器的储热效率,是目前国内外研究的热点。本工作对列管式相变储热单元进行了二维非稳态模拟优化,研究了换热器结构、翅片数目及中心距3种参数对储热性能的影响,并探讨了熔化过程中相变材料的温度和液相率变化趋势。研究结果表明,与圆形换热器结构相比,正方形换热器储热性能更优;相比于无翅片的储热换热器,添加翅片后储热性能得到显著提升,相变材料熔化时间缩短66%;对中心距而言,在一定范围内,随中心距减小进出口降压增大,但储热性能相应提高。     

Fatty acids and their mixtures as phase-change materials for thermal energy storage

An analysis of thermal properties of fatty acids and their binary mixtures has shown that they are attractive candidates for latent heat thermal storage in space heating applications. In this study, the method of differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the transition temperatures and latent heat of transition of the fatty acids and their binary mixtures. These properties are of prime importance in the design of a latent heat thermal storage system.The melting range of the fatty acids (capric, lauric, palmitic and stearic) was observed to be approximately from 30°C to 65°C. Their heat of transition was observed to have a range from approximately 153 to 182 J/g. The eutectic points were determined for the binary mixtures of the fatty acids. The melting points of the eutectics for the binary systems of capric-lauric, lauric-palmitic, lauric-stearic and palmitic-stearic acids were found to be 18°C, 32.7°C, 34°C and 51°C respectively. The corresponding heats of melting were 120, 145, 150 and 160 J/g, respectively. The fatty acids and their eutectic mixtures were examined with an infrared spectrophotometer to ascertain the polymorphic forms and material purities.     

Enhancing the thermal response of latent heat storage systems

Latent heat storage systems especially those employing organic materials have been reported to exhibit a rather slow thermal response. This is mainly due to the relatively low thermal conductivities of organic latent heat materials. This paper reports experiments carried out to investigate methods of enhancing the thermal response of paraffin wax heat storage tubes by incorporation of aluminium thermal conductivity promoters of various designs into the body of the wax. Heating and cooling runs were carried out and phase change times determined. It was found that the phase change time reduced significantly by orders of up to 2·2 in energy storage (heating) and 4·2 in energy recovery (cooling). Internal fins performed much better than the star matrices and expanded aluminium performed better than promoters made from aluminium sheet metal in both storage and recovery of heat. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparative analysis of different heat exchangers containing phase change materials

针对日益严重的环境问题,“煤改电”已经成为实现北方清洁供暖的有效手段。此外,我国每年在余热利用,尤其是在中低温品质热能利用上还相当不充分。在此大背景下,以相变储热供热技术为切入点,着重对目前相变储热换热器进行了比较,定性分析了板式、管壳式、热管式及其他异形（储热砖/球）换热器的优缺点。并通过数值模拟的方式,定量比较了相同换热面积及边界条件下,管壳式和板式相变换热的二维相变材料熔化模型,管壳式换热器需6 h完全熔化,板式换热器需8.5 h完全熔化,主要原因在于二者在换热管/板在排布上差异导致。但考虑到相较于管壳式换热器,板式换热器结构紧凑、加工工艺简单、拆卸方便,未来可形成通过制成储热砖的方式实现模块化运行,为后期维护提供了很大便利,因此具有巨大发展潜力。     

Study of heat transfer and kinetics parameters influencing the design of heat exchangers for hydrogen storage in high-pressure metal hydrides

This paper discusses the challenges of using hydrogen fuel cells to power light-duty vehicles. Storing sufficient amounts of hydrogen to cover adequate travel distances before refueling is one of the more pressing challenges, and different materials have been recommended to enhance storage capacity. This study concerns one class of storage materials called high-pressure metal hydrides (HPMHs). The most important component of a hydrogen storage system utilizing HPMHs is the heat exchanger, which, aside from storing the HPMH, must providing sufficient cooling during the hydrogen refueling to achieve the required short fill time of less than 5 min. Discussed in this paper are practical heat exchanger design guidelines for storage systems employing materials with high rates of heat generation during refueling. Most important among those is the maximum distance between the HPMH powder and the cooling surface, which, for Ti_1.1CrMn, must be kept below 10 mm to achieve a fill time of 5 min. A new parameter called non-dimensional conductance (NDC) is developed, which serves as a characteristic parameter to estimate the effects of various parameters on the reaction rate. Overall, it is shown that the hydrogen fill time is sensitive mostly to the effective thermal conductivity of the HPMH and the coolant’s temperature, followed by the contact resistance between the powder and cooling surface.     

Influences of expanded graphite on structural morphology and thermal performance of composite phase change materials consisting of fatty acid eutectics and electrospun PA6 nanofibrous mats

In the present work, three fatty acid eutectics of capric acid (CA)–lauric acid (LA), capric acid–palmitic acid (PA), and capric acid–stearic acid (SA) were prepared through melt-blending followed by ultrasonication and were investigated as model phase change materials (PCMs); for comparison, the individual fatty acid of CA was also studied. The DSC measurements indicated that the phase transition temperatures of fatty acid eutectics were lower than those of individual fatty acid of CA. Thereafter, the polyamide 6 (PA6) nanofibers and PA6/EG composite nanofibers with 10 wt.% expanded graphite (EG) were prepared by electrospinning; and then composite PCMs with fatty acid eutectics absorbed in and/or supported by the overlaid mats of electrospun nanofibers (e.g., PA6 and PA6/EG) were explored for storage and retrieval of thermal energy. Influences of the EG on structural morphologies, thermal energy storage properties and thermal energy storage/retrieval rates of composite PCMs were respectively characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and measurement of melting/freezing times. The results indicated that the additions of EG caused the interfaces between fatty acid eutectics and PA6 nanofibrous mats to become more illegible; increased the absorption capacity of fatty acid eutectics within nanofibrous mats. The enthalpies of melting and crystallization of composite PCMs with EG were higher than those of the corresponding composite PCMs without EG, whereas there were no appreciable changes on the phase transition temperatures. The EG improved thermal energy storage/retrieval rates of composite PCMs were also confirmed by comparing the melting/freezing times of CA/PA6/EG and CA–SA/PA6/EG with those of CA/PA6 and CA–SA/PA6, respectively. The results from the SEM observation showed that composite PCMs had no or little variations in shape and surface morphology after heating/cooling processes.     

Fatty acid/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends as form-stable phase change materials for latent heat thermal energy storage

Fatty acids such as stearic acid (SA), palmitic acid (PA), myristic acid (MA), and lauric acid (LA) are promising phase change materials (PCMs) for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) applications, but high cost is the most drawback which limits the utility area of them in thermal energy storage. The use of fatty acids as form-stable PCM will increase their feasibilities in practical LHTES applications due to reduced cost of the energy storage system. In this regard, a series of fatty acid/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends, SA/PMMA, PA/PMMA, MA/PMMA, and LA/PMMA were prepared as new kinds of form-stable PCMs by encapsulation of fatty acids into PMMA which acts as supporting material. The blends were prepared at different mass fractions of fatty acids (50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% w/w) to reach maximum encapsulation ratio. All blends were subjected to leakage test by heating the blends over the melting temperature of the PCM. The blends that do not allow leakage of melted PCM were identified as form-stable PCMs. The form-stable fatty acid/PMMA (80/20 wt.%) blends were characterized using optic microscopy (OM), viscosimetry, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy methods, and the results showed that the PMMA was compatible with the fatty acids. In addition, thermal characteristics such as melting and freezing temperatures and latent heats of the form-stable PCMs were measured by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique and indicated that they had good thermal properties. On the basis of all results, it was concluded that form-stable fatty acid/PMMA blends had important potential for some practical LHTES applications such as under floor space heating of buildings and passive solar space heating of buildings by using wallboard, plasterboard or floor impregnated with a form-stable PCM due to their satisfying thermal properties, easily preparing in desired dimensions, direct usability without needing an add encapsulation and eliminating the thermal resistance caused by shell and thus reducing cost of LHTES system.     

Thermal Energy Storage Performance of Fatty Acids as a Phase Change Material

Thermal energy storage performance of fatty acids and a eutectic mixture as phase change materials (PCMs) has been investigated experimentally. The selected PCMs for this study were palmitic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, and a mixture of stearic and myristic acids in eutectic combination ratio of 65.7 wt% myristic acid and 34.3 wt% stearic acid. The PCMs have a melting temperature range of 50.0°C to 61.20°C and a latent heat range of 162.0 J/g to 204.5 J/g. The inlet temperature and the mass flow rate of heat transfer fluid (HTF) were selected as experimental parameters to test the thermal energy storage performance of the PCMs. The transition times, temperature range, propagation of the solid-liquid interface, as well as heat flow rate characteristics of the employed cylindrical tube storage system were studied at varied experimental parameters. The experimental results show that the melting front moves to inward in the radial directions as well as in the axial directions from the top toward to the bottom of the PCM tube. It was observed that the convection heat transfer in the liquid phase plays an important role in the melting process. The changes in the studied HTF parameters have more effect on the melting processes than the solidification processes of the PCMs. The average heat storage efficiency calculated from data for all the PCMs is 51.5%, meaning that 48.5% of the heat actually was lost somewhere.     

Low temperature latent heat thermal energy storage: Heat storage materials

Heat-of-fusion storage materials for low temperature latent heat storage in the temperature range 0–120°C are reviewed. Organic and inorganic heat storage materials classified as paraffins, fatty acids, inorganic salt hydrates and eutectic compounds are considered. The melting and freezing behaviour of the various substances is investigated using the techniques of Thermal Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The importance of thermal cycling tests for establishing the long-term stability of the storage materials is discussed. Finally, some data pertaining to the corrosion compatibility of heat-of-fusion substances with conventional materials of construction is presented.     

A numerical model for seasonal storage of solar heat in the ground by vertical pipes

We present a three-dimensional numerical model for seasonal heat storage in the ground using vertical heat exchanger pipes. The model also accounts for convective heat flows in the ground. The storage is employed in a district solar heating system with a heat pump. The effects of storage volume, storage medium, collector area, and collector type on system performances are studied for the Helsinki (60°N) climate. Economic optimization of the storage and collector installation is also briefly discussed. For a 500-house community, a collector area of 35 m² per house and a rock storage volume of 550 m³ per house would provide a solar fraction of 70%.