A review of phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal storage in solar air heating systems

Abstract

Abstract The surging energy requirements and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission have directed the research towards the utilization of renewable energy sources especially solar energy. Most of the energy part in domestic and commercial consumption is utilized for air heating and drying which can be improved significantly by utilizing solar air heating applications. The main drawback associated with the solar air heating system (SAHS) is the fluctuation in the availability of solar radiations which can be mitigated by a greater extent with the help of thermal storage. Phase change materials (PCMs) are generally utilized for latent heat storage. The present study reviews the various PCMs utilized in thermal storage with SAHS. Numerous types of PCM materials, their properties and applications in solar air heating system have been reviewed. Heat transfer characteristics enhancement techniques like encapsulation, extended surfaces and conductive particle dispersion have also been studied. The air conditioning demands in the future could be significantly mitigated by utilizing these materials.