Review on Enhancement of Thermal Conductivity of Phase Change Materials with Nano-Particle in Engineering Applications

Abstract

Abstract In this present work review of the recent advancement in thermal energy reservoir (TER) using different types of phase change materials (PCMs) for various applications, particularly in solar energy storage was carried out. Major drawback of using organic PCMs is to decrease the heat storage capacity in the process of melting and solidification which restrict their utility in vast areas. Many researchers had focused their interests in improving the thermal conductivity of organic PCMs and consequently, several new methods were developed such as placing the metal fins, metal screens, impregnating the porous materials and dispersing the high thermal conductivity materials. Although the thermal conductivity was enhanced but the weight and volume of LTES system were increased by these methods. In recent times the application of nano technology has led way to discover the new technique known as “Nano fluid” that comprise base fluid and solid nano-particles. Nano embedded PCMs are the best and only alternative to eliminate the major drawback (low thermal conductivity and heat storage capacity) to utilize the PCMs in various thermal storage applications. This review paper discuss the enhancement of the thermal storage and heat transfer properties of the different PCMs dispersed with various mass fractions of different types of nano particles (NPs). The major utilization of nano embedded PCMs in the thermal storage, biomedical, construction, textile, electronic and automobile industries is presented and future scope possibilities are indicated. The information gathered will be very beneficial to engineers and researchers in energy sector especially in solar thermal energy storage