Phase change characteristics of ethylene glycol solution‐based nanofluids for subzero thermal energy storage

Nanofluids, particularly water‐based nanofluids, have been extensively studied as liquid–solid phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage (TES). In this study, nanofluids with aqueous ethylene glycol (EG) solution as the base fluid are proposed as a novel PCM for cold thermal energy storage. Nanofluids were prepared by dispersing 0.1–0.4 wt% TiO₂ nanoparticles into 12, 22, and 34 vol.% EG solutions. The dispersion stability of the nanofluids was evaluated by Turbiscan Lab. The liquid–solid phase change characteristics of the nanofluids were also investigated. Phase change temperature (PCT), nucleation temperature, and half freezing time (HFT) were investigated in freezing experiments. Subcooling degree and HFT reduction were then calculated. Latent heat of solidification was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal conductivity was determined using the hot disk thermal constant analyzer. Experimental results show that the nanoparticles decreased the PCT of 34 vol.% EG solution but minimally influenced the PCT of 12 and 22 vol.% EG solutions. For all nanofluids, the nanoparticles decreased the subcooling degree, HFT, and latent heat but increased the thermal conductivity of the EG solutions. The mechanism of the improvement of the phase change characteristics and decrease in latent heat by the nanoparticles was discussed. The nanoparticles simultaneously served as nucleating agent that induced crystal nucleation and as impurities that disturbed the growth of water crystals in EG solution‐based nanofluids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.