Investigation of White Vaseline as an alternative phase change material for thermal regulation of physiological birth rooms

Abstract

This research work encompassed the results of experimentation of an innovative composite (Plaster/white Vaseline) for indoor thermal regulation of physiological birth rooms using the Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) concept. The indoor temperatures of these specific sanitary rooms need to be continually stabilized approximately at 35 °C. Accordingly, white Vaseline (petroleum jelly) was recovered from health facilities and then tested as an alternative PCM for a LHTES application at constant temperatures. The white petroleum jelly used in this work is mainly composed of microcrystalline wax and liquid paraffin; its phase change temperatures were found to be respectively at 36.56 °C and 35.53 °C for melting and solidification cycles with an enthalpy value of 95.38 J/g (±1.23). In addition to these suitable thermal properties, the substance is safe and available at low-cost. A mineral matrix prepared essentially from plaster was experimented to trap the PCM into its microstructure in order to prevent any risk of leakage during the phase change process. Finally, the innovative composite (Plaster/white Vaseline) underwent thermal and physico-chemical characterization tests that identified its properties and revealed a potential efficiency of the novel material for passive thermal regulation of physiological birth room's indoor environments.