Thermal energy storage characteristics of a latent heat storage vessel packed with surface cross‐linked, form‐stabilized, high‐density polyethylene pellets by boiling phenomenon

Abstract

This paper deals with an experimental investigation of latent thermal energy storage characteristics of surface cross-linked form-stabilized high-density polyethylene pellets as a phase change material (PCM), using pool boiling and condensation of an ethylene glycol–water solution. The polyethylene pellets and the heat transfer medium of ethylene glycol were mixed and poured into a cylindrical heat storage vessel. The heat transfer into the polyethylene pellets was mainly enhanced by the condensation of vapor bubbles of the ethylene glycol–water solution, which was heated by an electric heater set at the bottom of the vessel. The effects of heat input; amounts of PCM and ethylene glycol–water solution; and heater surface temperature on the heat storage characteristics were all investigated. As a result, a nondimensional correlation equation of the completion time of the heat storage process was derived as a function of nondimensional parameters. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 28(8): 649–663, 1999