Abstract
Thermal-Energy Storage (TES) properties of organic phase change materials have been experimentally investigated and reported in this paper. Three paraffin-based Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and one bio-based PCM are considered with melting temperatures of 24 °C, 25 °C and 26 °C. Sensible heat storage capacities, melting characteristics and latent heat enthalpies of the studied PCMs are investigated through Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Two alternative methods, namely the classical dynamic DSC and a stepwise approach, are performed and compared with the aim to eliminate and/or overcome possible measurement errors. In particular, for DSC measurements this could be related to the size of the samples and its representativity, heating rate effects and low thermal conductivity of the PCMs, which may affect the results and possibly cause a loss of objectivity of the measurements. Based on results achieved from this study, clear information can be figured out on how to conduct and characterize paraffin and bio-based PCMs, and how to apply them in TES calculations for building applications and/or simulations. It is observed that both paraffinic and bio-based PCMs possess a comparable TES capacity within the selected phase transition temperature, being representative for the human thermal comfort zone. The phase change of bio-based PCMs occurred over a much narrower temperature range when compared to the wider windows characterizing the paraffin-based materials. Bio-based PCMs turned out to be very suitable for building applications and can be an environmentally friendly substitute for petroleum-based PCMs.
Highlights
The global challenge to strongly cut back the use of fossil fuels with the aim to implement renewable resources and to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions make energy efficiency a key issue that is at the center of our society [1,2]
As Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are capable of storing large amounts of latent heat at constant temperature, they are contributing to the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of residential and non-residential buildings, by balancing out daily environmental heat demands [9]
Dynamic Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) tests were performed for all PCMs (3 paraffin-based and 1 bio-based), considering several heating rates and various masses
Summary
The global challenge to strongly cut back the use of fossil fuels with the aim to implement renewable resources and to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions make energy efficiency a key issue that is at the center of our society [1,2]. 2019/2021 [4], all member states are obliged to guarantee that all new constructions are designed as “Nearly Zero Energy Buildings” (NZEBs), from the beginning of 2021. This obligation has been already applied to non-residential buildings from the beginning of 2019. Materials 2020, 13, 1705 energy more efficiently, and to balance out daily heating/cooling demands, are worth investigation for building applications [5,6]. As PCMs are capable of storing large amounts of latent heat at constant temperature, they are contributing to the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of residential and non-residential buildings, by balancing out daily environmental heat demands [9]
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