Experimental investigations on the thermophysical properties of CuO-palmitic acid phase change material for heating applications

Abstract

This study presents the experimental investigation on the heat transfer characteristics of palmitic acid embedded with cupric oxide nanoparticles with the mass proportions ranging from 0.3 to 0.8%. This kind of nanoparticle-embedded phase change material (NEPCM) is used for room heating and various solar heating applications. Aqueous precipitation method has been used to synthesize CuO nanoparticles, and the X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the formation of nanoparticles. Chemical reliability has been studied by testing the physical interaction between PCM and NEPCM through FTIR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope have been used to study the morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analysis have been used to study the latent heat and thermal stability of the NEPCM. Heat transfer characteristic study has shown that the melting time got reduced by 8.93, 16.87, and 24.72% with the addition of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8% of CuO nanoparticles, respectively, compared with the pure PCM. Similarly, the solidification time was reduced by 11.71, 19.90, and 27.59% with the addition of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8 mass% of nanoparticles, respectively. LFA 467 laserflash flash diffusivity apparatus has been used to measure the thermal conductivity, and the enhancement in thermal conductivity has been confirmed by the reduction in phase change time. The results have confirmed that the CuO-palmitic acid NEPCM is a potential alternative for building heating and other solar heating applications.