Synthesis and characterization of nano-PCM in water for phase-change secondary refrigerants applications.

Abstract

Phase Change Materials have been largely studied in the last decades, due to their capability to store (and release) thermal energy, with a consequent energy savings in several applications. They are applied in buildings industry, food storage, smart textiles, medicine, space, automotive, and solar application. PCMs are employed in encapsulated forms or immersed in different matrix. In the last years, nanoparticles of PCMs dispersed in a base fluid have been studied to understand their possible capability as heat transfer fluids, especially in solar or HVAC applications, where the latent heat of fusion of these materials can be exploited as additional heat capacity. This study focuses on the development and characterization of phase change materials emulsions, in order to understand their possible use as secondary fluids. Stability, density, thermal conductivity, heat capacity and latent heat were measured and reported.