Investigation of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) with lotus stem biocomposite block using PCM

Abstract

In the current investigation, a biocomposite with lotus stem as natural fiber reinforcement and epoxy resin was fabricated. Parafin wax was used a Phase Change Material (PCM) in the current investigation for thermal energy storage application along with the prepared biocomposite. The lotus steams were collected, dried and prepared for the required size. PCM was impregnated into the lotus stem by wax impregnation process to improve its thermal energy storage capacity. Then lotus fiber impregnated with wax was used as reinforcement in the prepared composite with epoxy resin. Totally 6 numbers of biocomposite plates were fabricated in order to fabricate a cuboid block. The Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) Test and thermal behaviour test were conducted to characterize the prepared bio composite material about its viability and behaviour towards energy storage application. The cuboid block formed with bio-composite was insulated with thermocol ice box to test the energy storage capacity. The energy storage capacity of the composite was determined using ice and equivalent mass of water placed inside the cuboid. While analyzing thermal behaviour test, it has been absorbed that the energy storing capacity of single plate of bio-composite was 13.08 kJ and thermal energy storing capacity of bio composite cuboid block was 19.22 kJ.