Adhesion and detachment characteristics of a TBAB hydrate solid on a heat transfer surface (Effect of concentration of TBAB solutions)

Abstract

AbstractIn air‐conditioning systems, it is desirable that the liquid–solid phase change temperature of a cool energy storage material be approximately 10°C, with respect to improving the coefficient of performance (COP). Moreover, a thermal storage material that forms slurry can realize a large heat capacity of the working fluids. A solid that adheres to the heat transfer surface forms a thermal resistance layer and significantly reduces the rate of cold storage; therefore, it is important to avoid the adhesion of a thick solid layer on the surface so as to realize efficient energy storage. Considering a harvest type cooling unit, the force required for removal of the solid phase from the heat transfer surface was investigated. Tetra‐n‐butylammonium bromide (TBAB) clathrate hydrate was used as a cold storage material and the effect of the TBAB solution concentration on the scraping force required to detach the adhered TBAB hydrate solid from the heat transfer surface was experimentally examined. The TBAB hydrate solids were broadly categorized into two types, and the scraping force required for removal of these two types of TBAB hydrate solid was different. The scraping force required for removal of the solid increased due to the effect of increasing the concentration of the TBAB solution. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20254