Thermodynamic Properties of the Polyols as Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

In this chapter, four natural polyhydroxy alcohols (polyols), including xylitol, sorbitol, adonitol, and erythritol were selected as the subject of study on phase change materials for thermal energy storage application. The thermodynamic study on these polyols was performed by adiabatic calorimetry (AC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The heat capacities of these polyols were measured in the temperature range from 80 to 400 K by a fully automated high-precision adiabatic calorimeter. The experimental heat capacities of these polyols were fitted to the polynomial equations of heat capacities as a function of temperatures. The thermodynamic property data, such as temperatures, enthalpies, and entropies of the phase transitions, were obtained based on the experimental heat capacities in the phase transition temperature range. According to the thermodynamic relation equations, the standard thermodynamic functions of these polyols, relative to the standard reference temperature 298.15 K, [HT–H298.15] and [ST–S298.15], were calculated with the interval of 5 K. The thermal stability and heat storage capacity of the polyols were also investigated by thermal analysis.