Abstract
Using phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage has always been a hot topic within the research community due to their excellent performance on energy conservation such as energy efficiency in buildings, solar domestic hot water systems, textile industry, biomedical and food agroindustry. Several literatures have reported phase change materials concerning various aspects. Among these materials, salt hydrates are worthy of exploring due to their high-energy storage density, rational price, multiple sources and relatively good thermal conductivity. This paper reviews the present state of salt hydrates PCMs targeting classification, properties, defects, possible solutions as well as their idiographic features which are suitable for applications. In addition, new trends of future research are also indicated.
Highlights
With the growing consumption of fossil fuels and increasing emission of carbon dioxide, thermal energy storage (TES) has received a great deal of attention
Salt hydrates, which account for a large proportion in inorganic phase change materials (PCMs), have always been attracted attention owing to their reasonable price, wide sources, good thermal conductivity and high volumetric energy storage density
The commercial salt hydrate PCM with melting point of minus 18 ◦ C was placed in 10 mm thick stainless panels at diverse position of refrigerated trucks
Summary
With the growing consumption of fossil fuels and increasing emission of carbon dioxide, thermal energy storage (TES) has received a great deal of attention. In the field of phase change energy storage technology, it is a fundamental step to develop high latent heat, stable, and cost-effective materials. Salt hydrates, which account for a large proportion in inorganic PCMs, have always been attracted attention owing to their reasonable price, wide sources, good thermal conductivity and high volumetric energy storage density. Some defects, such as leakage, causticity, supercooling and phase separation impose restrictions on their practical applications [5,6,7]. Research trends and potentials of these PCMs are prospected
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
