Review on cold thermal energy storage applied to refrigeration systems using phase change materials

Håkon Selvnes,Yosr Allouche,Raluca Iolanda Manescu,Armin Hafner

doi:10.1016/j.tsep.2020.100807

Håkon Selvnes, Yosr Allouche + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2020.100807

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Abstract

This paper presents a thorough review on the recent developments and latest research studies on cold thermal energy storage (CTES) using phase change materials (PCM) applied to refrigeration systems. The presented study includes a classification of the different types of PCMs applied for air conditioning (AC) systems (20 °C) to low-temperature freezing of food (−60 °C). An overview of the influencing thermophysical properties of PCMs, as well as their respective characterisation methods, are presented. The current available PCMs on the market in the temperature range 10 °C to −65 °C are listed. Finally, research on CTES using PCMs in refrigeration systems are reviewed and grouped into applications for food transport and packaging, commercial refrigeration and various other refrigeration systems. The findings show that using ice/water as PCM for AC applications is the most commonly studied system, due to widespread use of these systems, expected growth in the future and low cost of using water as the PCM. Over the last ten years the published research integrating CTES in different parts of the food cold chain, using water-salt solutions and paraffin PCM in both active and passive methods, has increased. Suggestions for the integration of CTES in supermarkets and industrial applications are also emerging. The technology has received increased interest from the scientific community the last five years, due to the benefits of achieving peak shaving of the refrigeration demand, exploiting low-cost electricity hours and offering backup refrigeration in case of blackouts.

Highlights

Climate change is the biggest challenge faced by our society today
The use of temperature loggers in packaged food products revealed that the food product temperature is on average 2 ◦C higher than the recommended values for 30% of the products when located in the display cabinet, 70% during transport to consumer and 40% in the domestic refrigerator [82]. These findings demonstrate the advantage of using phase change materials (PCM) when it comes to the product temperature stabilisation during the different links of the cold chain, mainly at the transport phase
This review aims to provide a solid background to the reader about the possible ways of implementation of cold thermal energy storage (CTES) using PCM in various refrigeration systems

Summary

Introduction

Climate change is the biggest challenge faced by our society today. The need for a transition towards more sustainable energy sources is immediate. Decarbonisation of industry and transport is another important measure to reduce CO2 emissions and is contributing to an increase in the demand for electricity [2,3]. Focusing on a realistic implementation rate in the industrial and building sector the potential thermal load reduction was found to be 8% and 9% in Germany and Spain, respec tively. The study estimates potential energy savings of 7.5% and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 7.5% in the European Union. This dem onstrates the importance of integrating TES in the design of thermal energy systems energy system

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