A VIKOR based selection of phase change material for thermal energy storage in solar dryer system

Abstract

Phase Change Material (PCM) has vast applications in Thermal Energy Storage (TES). An efficient thermal energy storage system design depends on properly selecting PCM. This study found a detailed and organized process for evaluating PCMs for the design of latent heat based thermal energy storage that includes pre-screening, ranking, and objectively evaluating performance utilizing Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. Among some PCMs suitable for low-temperature thermal energy storage applications, organic PCMs are a desirable option over inorganic PCMs. The following properties, such as melting point temperature, latent heat, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density, and cost, are considered in PCM selection. This work aims to select an eco-friendly, economical, and thermal-efficient PCM for low temperature (40 °C – 70 °C) solar dryer application from the thirteen identified PCM’s. VIKOR technique is used to select the suitable PCM from the identified PCMs like Natural Soya Wax, Bee Wax (C15 H31 COO C30 H61), Paraffin Wax, Palm Wax, Stearic Acid (CH3(CH2)16 CO2), Lauric Acid (C12 H24 O2), Palmitic Acid (C16 H32 O2), Medicine Paraffin Wax, RT55, RT60, P116, Shellac Wax (C30 H50 O11), and CR + 55A. This technique ranks the identified PCM using the appropriate properties. Paraffin wax ranks at the top, satisfying all the required properties. The results showed that this technique is a feasible tool for choosing the appropriate PCM.