Use Of Phase Change Materials Research Articles

Compositional and thermophysical study of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys for latent heat storage

Abstract In this study, the eutectic temperature and latent heat of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry measurements in order to identify eutectic alloys for latent heat storage in the eutectic temperature ranges of 450–550 and 300–350°C. First, the eutectic compositions of the Al–Si–Cu–Mg–Zn and Zn–Al–Mg–Sn alloys were identified using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and DTA in two steps. In the second step, metallographic analysis was repeated until a uniform eutectic microstructure was obtained. Thermophysical analysis revealed that the eutectic temperatures of several types of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys were within the targeted temperature ranges with relatively high latent heat. These results confirmed that Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys have suitable properties as phase change materials for use in the 300–350 and 450–550°C temperature ranges.

Study of the impact of variable-phase materials (PCM) on the single basin two-slop solar distiller

The potable water declined after the global climate crisis. Due to global warming. River levels have also decreased. Moreover, so much has become dependent on the water from the wells. Which are often salty. Purifying this water often requires many fossil fuels that cause damage to the environment. Therefore, the researchers turned to renewable energy sources, including solar energy. In this paper, we designed and made a solar distiller, a single sink with a double slope. It is used to desalinate water and remove salt from water using solar energy. This technique is the best solution for obtaining water in remote and desert areas where potable water is not available. The purpose of the research is to study variables that promote increased efficiency. Study the use of phase change materials (PCM) to enhance the productivity of solar distillers. Bitumen was used to store solar thermal energy in latent heat. It has increased efficiency by (15–25%). For the distiller using bitumen in the basin relative to the distiller to which it is not added.

Energy and exergy analysis of an unglazed transpired collector connected to a dryer with a porous plate and phase change material

In the present work, an experimental study was performed by designing and constructing an unglazed transpired solar collector connected to an indirect solar dryer with a new design equipped with a porous plate and phase change material. Teucrium polium was considered to analysis the drying process. The experiments were conducted at two airflow rates (0.0125and 0.015kg/s) for the drying system with and without phase change material. The results implied the use of phase change material reduced the temperature of the drying chamber during the day (approximately 0.5 to 2.5°C) compared to the collector without phase change material. In the afternoon, it increased due to presence of phase change material in the porous plate and releasing the stored thermal energy. At the airflow rate of 0.0125 kg/s, without phase change material, the highest outlet temperature of the collector was 68.8°C. Moreover, using phase change material reduced the specific energy consumption from 12.25 to 11.05 MJ/kg and the overall efficiency in the drying process increased from 39.48 to 42.54 %. Using phase change material increases the exergy efficiency by about 6 %. The maximum energy efficiency for unglazed transpired solar collector (about 45.92%) was related to a mass flow rate of 0.015 kg/s with phase change material. Besides, the color changes for Teucrium polium dried by solar dryer with and without phase change material were about 19.42 and 21.26. Thus, it can be expressed that the use of phase change material improved the drying and thermal efficiency and color of the dried product.

A Numerical Study of the Suitability of Phase-Change Materials for Battery Thermal Management in Flight Applications

Battery pack specific energy, which can be enhanced by minimising the mass of the battery thermal management system (BTMS), is a limit on electric fixed-wing flight applications. In this paper, the use of phase-change materials (PCMs) for BTMSs is numerically explored in the 3D domain, including an equivalent circuit battery model. A parametric study of PCM properties for effective thermal management is conducted for a typical one-hour flight. PCMs maintain an ideal operating temperature (288.15 K–308.15 K) throughout the entire battery pack. The PCM absorbs heat generated during takeoff, which is subsequently used to maintain cell temperature during the cruise phase of flight. In the control case (no BTMS), battery pack temperatures fall below the ideal operating range. We conduct a parametric study highlighting the insignificance of PCM thermal conductivity on BTMS performance, with negligible enhancement observed across the tested window (0.1–10 W m−1 K−1). However, the PCM’s latent heat of fusion is critical. Developers of PCMs for battery-powered flight must focus on enhanced latent heat of fusion, regardless of the adverse effect on thermal conductivity. In long-haul flight, an elongated cruise phase and higher altitude exasperate this problem. The unique characteristics of PCM offer a passive low-mass solution that merits further investigation for flight applications.

Using Phase Change Materials (PCM) to Reduce Energy Consumption in Buildings

The article discusses the use of phase change materials (PCM) to enhance thermal energy storage (TES) in residential buildings. The building sector consumes a significant amount of energy, and energy efficiency is crucial in reducing overall energy consumption. PCM has emerged as a promising approach to decrease energy consumption for space cooling and heating in buildings. The article uses DesignBuilder software to evaluate the energy consumption of a residential building. EnergyPlus is the calculation method used by DesignBuilder. The researchers considered a baseline dwelling house located in Moscow and used EnergyPlus, a simulation tool, to analyze the performance of building components integrated with PCM to reduce energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. The study used the one-dimensional finite difference conductivity (CondFD) algorithm in EnergyPlus to simulate a building element with PCM. Using BioPCM M91/Q23 can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. The article concludes that integrating PCM into building components can improve indoor thermal comfort, reduce energy demand for heating and cooling, and enhance occupant comfort. The use of PCM has the potential to mitigate the effects of outdoor temperature changes on indoor thermal comfort, making it a cost-effective and clean energy-saving material.

Monitoring and improvement of PV panel efficiency due to thermal effect

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels are extensively employed for the purpose of converting renewable energy, namely solar energy, into electrical energy. A significant portion of the solar radiation collected by Photovoltaic (PV) panels is transformed into thermal energy, resulting in the heating of PV cells and a consequent reduction in PV efficiency. The increase in the temperature of Photovoltaic (PV) panels leads to a decrease in their conversion efficiency. The data indicate that an increase of one degree Celsius in PV temperature can lead to a reduction in efficiency of up to 0.65%. This phenomenon has garnered significant scholarly interest in the realm of reducing and managing Photovoltaic (PV) temperature. One of the ways that has been explored is the use of Phase Change Material (PCM), which has the ability to effectively regulate the temperature of Photovoltaic (PV) systems due to its latent heat storing capabilities. Additionally, integrating Phase Change Material (PCM) in Photovoltaic (PV) systems not only helps in temperature regulation but also contributes to extending the lifespan of PV panels by mitigating thermal stress. As the demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to grow, optimizing the efficiency and durability of solar technologies remains a crucial focus for researchers and industry professionals alike.

Numerical analysis of heat flux passing through an anti-theft door armed by phase change materials.

The use of phase change materials (PCMs) in buildings is considered an effective way to reduce building heat flux and cooling input. In this study, a south-facing anti-theft door with PCM layer was simulated in hot summer weather in Rafsanjan city. The main purpose was decreasing the heat flux to buildings due to high temperatures and direct sunlight. Boundary conditions are set for the outside environment using local meteorological data, while indoor temperature is set at a constant degree (25°C). Simulation studies were performed by changing the various materials inside the door and also by changing the type, thickness, and position of PCMs in different parts of the door. It was found that the use of PCMs along with a layer of extruded polystyrene commonly used in anti-theft doors can have up to 50% increased effect in reducing the heat transfer flux over a day compared with the conventional case.

Optimization model of solar cooling system with latent heat storage

Today, the fastest growing end-use in the buildings sector is cooling demand, notes the International Energy Agency (IEA). In the last few years, the interest in solar cooling systems has been growing globally. Solar cooling systems are the next solution to meet the growing demand for air conditioning. The literature analysis shows that solar cooling systems mainly use single-stage absorption chillers, with water as the working fluid, and only a small fraction of them use phase change materials to improve heat storage. Based on previous studies on solar-assisted cooling systems, the use of phase change materials for thermal storage should be investigated.The paper will present a study of a solar cooling system with the optimized PCM thermal storage, with the aim of stabilizing the operation of heat storage, taking into account the volatility of solar energy, the impact of short-term operations and peak hours on the amount of heat produced. This means that the amount of electricity consumed to heat up the accumulation tank will be significantly reduced. The optimization model in simulation software will be performed to test solar cooling system with latent heat storage, with aim to investigate the efficiency of the developed latent energy storage and provide technical guidance for the implementation of such system in the practice. All indicators, including environmental impact and economic calculations, will be identified in order to determinate the specific systems for foresight market uptake.

Use of sustainable Phase Change Material (PCM) in mortars for building energy efficiency

Academic and industrial research are moving towards the development of innovative solutions and materials able to limit energy consumption for the thermoregulation of a building. One solution is the use of phase change materials (PCMs) that can absorb, store, and release energy according to their physical state that changes when the ambient temperatures changes. In this work, new sustainable PCMs were developed through the “form-stable” method according to the principles of Circular Economy. The new PCM materials consisted, in fact, of an inert matrix (obtained as byproduct of stone processing) impregnated by low toxic, low flammable polymer, namely polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG/stone composite materials were used to replace the fine aggregates in mortars based on different binders providing the mortars with thermoregulation performance. A comprehensive characterization was performed on the new PCMs by evaluating their thermal stability and thermal efficiency. The main properties (in fresh and hardened states) of the mortars with or without PCMs were analyzed. The mortars containing PCMs were also subjected to further investigations to evaluate their thermal behavior in response to external climatic conditions. Encouraging results were obtained, confirming the effectiveness of the mortars containing the new PCMs in the thermoregulation of indoor environments.

Impact of Phase Change Materials on Cooling Demand of an Educational Facility in Cairo, Egypt

Heat gains and losses via building envelopes are impacted by varied characteristics such as geometry, orientation, properties of the building materials, and the type of construction and its interface with the exterior environment. Current studies are investigating the use of phase change materials (PCMs) characterized by high latent heat and low thermal conductivity that may cause temperature time lag and reduce amounts of heat transferred through building envelopes. The prime objectives of this research are evaluating zones’ energy consumption by type for an educational facility in a dry arid climate, examining the effects of a PCM (RT28HC) and polyurethane insulating material, comparing these effects to the existing situation with respect to cooling energy savings and CO2 emissions, and studying the effect of varying PCM thicknesses. The working methodology depended on gathering the real status and actual material of the building, constructing models of the building using Design Builder (DB) simulation software, and comparing the insulation effect of incorporating polyurethane and phase change insulating materials. A parametric study evaluated various PCM thicknesses (6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 mm). Validation was performed primarily for a selected year’s energy usage; simulation results complied with field measurements. The results revealed that an 18 mm PCM had a high efficiency regarding thermal comfort attributes, which reduced cooling energy by 17.5% and CO2 emissions by 12.4%. Consequently, this study has shown the significant potential of PCM regarding improved energy utilization in buildings.

Novel 3D Printing Phase Change Aggregate Concrete: Mechanical and Thermal Properties Analysis.

The use of phase change materials (PCMs) in concrete is a double-edged sword that improves the thermal inertia but degrades the mechanical properties of concrete. It has been an essential but unsolved issue to enhance the thermal capacity of PCMs while non-decreasing their mechanical strength. To this end, this work designs a novel 3D printing phase change aggregate to prepare concrete with prominent thermal capacity and ductility. The work investigated the effects of 3D printing phase change aggregate on the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete. The compressive strength of phase change aggregate concrete is 21.18 MPa, but the ductility of concrete improves. The splitting tensile strength was 1.45 MPa. The peak strain is 11.69 × 10-3, nearly 13 times that of basalt aggregate concrete. Moreover, using 3D printing phase change aggregate reduced concrete's early peak hydration temperature by 7.1%. The thermal insulation capacity of the experiment cube model with phase change concrete has been improved. The results show that the novel 3D printing change aggregate concrete has good mechanical properties and latent heat storage, providing a guideline for applying PCMs in building materials.

Thermal Characterization of Phase Change Materials by Differential Scanning Calorimetry: A Review

The use of phase change materials (PCMs) in thermal energy storage (TES) applications as a system that can fill the gap between the energy supply and demand has sharply increased over recent years. Due to the dependence of the storage capacity in a TES on the transition (mostly solid/liquid) of PCMs, knowing the thermal properties of PCMs is of high importance. Calorimetric methods have an inevitable role in PCMs’ characterization methods. The most important properties of PCMs that lead us to integrate them in a specific application can be determined by the calorimetric method. These properties are transition temperatures, the enthalpy of transition and the heat capacity. Among the calorimetric methods, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is widely available and accurate results can be obtained at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, the thermal stability of PCMs can be determined after a hundred cycles of melting and solidification. The present work proposes an extensive and comprehensive review on calorimetric measurements of PCMs via the DSC method. The objective is to highlight the relevant research with a focus on DSC characterization of PCMs. This review includes studies from 1999 to 2022 and provides a summary of the methods, results and recommendations for future measurements.

Energy and thermo-economic analysis of PCM integrated brick in composite climatic condition of Jaipur - A numerical study

Use of phase change materials (PCM) in building to enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption has widened over last few decades. Various techniques are employed to incorporate PCM in buildings, to reduce cooling/heating loads and temperature fluctuations in buildings owing to its high latent capacity. Present work investigates the thermal performance of n-Eicosane and OM35, incorporated in clay bricks, a widely used construction material. Numerical study is performed to analyse the energy saving potential for varying PCM positions and thicknesses to optimize the configuration. The optimized configuration is analysed for reducing indoor heat flux under unconditioned, partial and fully conditioned indoor environments. The annual thermal performance of the optimized configuration is studied for estimation of monthly heating/cooling load and total annual energy savings. Economic analysis is conducted to determine the energy saving cost and payback period for the design in different wall orientations under different indoor conditions. Results showed that OM35 in East orientation provided cooling load reduction of 31.1% for May which is equivalent to annual cost saving of USD 1.05/m2, while North orientation with n-Eicosane provided the lowest cost saving of USD 0.023/m2. However, PCM installations in Jaipur’s climatic condition was deemed economically infeasible with lowest payback of 181 years.

Optimization of the utilization of phase change materials in planar structures to control and optimize energy flux

The optimal use of phase change materials (PCMs) in multilayer constructions in hot climates is taken into account in this study. PCMs could reduce energy use and improve indoor thermal comfort by being added to the building envelope. To achieve this, an optimization-based numerical model is created to predict the thermal behavior of a multilayer wall of the building in a hot environment. The finite element model is coupled with design exploration tools based on design of experiments methodology and the response surface technique to analyze the relationships between the influencing PCM parameters and the response variable, which is represented by the heat flow into the internal space. Optimization analysis is carried out to identify a set of PCM thermophysical and geometrical parameters which minimize the output variable. The set of input parameters that includes the PCM thickness and location as well as melting temperature and melting zone is implemented in the computational model for a simulation period of 10 days. The achieved results show a decrease in the maximum temperature at the internal wall compared to the original wall without PCM, with <20% of the heat entering the occupant area. The analysis demonstrates the potential utilization of PCMs as an approach to enhance the thermal characteristics of the building and decrease energy use in regions with high temperatures.

Experimental Evaluation of the Effects of Passive Phase Change Material Walls on the Building Demand Response for Smart Grid Applications

Central air-conditioning systems play a significant role in the demand response (DR) strategies of buildings due to their high energy consumption and flexible energy use. Previous simulation-based studies have shown that the use of phase change materials (PCM) in building envelopes can substantially increase cold storage capacity, which is a key measure for improving the DR performance of buildings. In this study, we experimentally investigated the effect of passive PCM walls on DR performance and conducted quantitative experiments on factors affecting the precooling performance of PCM walls. During DR events, compared to Ordinary walls without a precooling and DR stage, passive PCM walls reduced room cooling loads by 75.05%, electricity consumption by 49.57%, and peak electricity consumption by 31.06%. Additionally, in the precooling period, the impact of the room precooling temperature on passive PCM precooling performance was experimentally studied. When the room precooling temperature was reduced gradually from 21.14 °C to 18.24 °C, the precooling period could be significantly shortened by between 14.58 and 40.43%, and the room cooling load firstly increased and then decreased, during which the cooling load reduction was up to 13.87%.

Performance enhancement of building energy through the combination of dynamic insulation panels and phase changing materials

The use of phase change materials (PCM), a type of heat transfer thermal storage substance, shows the opportunity to enhance the thermal inertia of these structures lacking significantly altering present construction methods. Because of the decreased indoor temperature swings and the load reduction, the usage of PCMs in buildings has the potential to deliver higher indoor temperatures for inhabitants as well as weaker export power consumption. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems based on phase change material (PCM) is identified as among the most enhanced energy techniques to improve eco-efficiency and conservation. The proposed dynamic insulating material and system (DIMS) allows for thermal resistance to be adjusted based on interior and outside variables. While it can be shown that using PCM and DIMS in facades enhances energy efficiency, there have been no previous studies that looked at the combined effect of the two technologies. Explore a unique wall design that includes a sheet of PCM made up of two levels of DIMS in this research. In most of the seasons and building orientations studied in this research, the PCM-DIMS-integrated wall saves much more energy than the DIMS-only combined barrier or the PCM-only combined walls. The PCM-DIMS-integrated walls can give a 15% to 72% decrease in yearly radiant heat then a 7% to 38% reduction in annual heat loss, based on the environment. The findings of this study highlight the necessity for scaled dynamic insulating layers for structures, as well as thermal storage devices.

Combined use of phase change material and thermal insulation to improve energy efficiency of residential buildings

There is an increasing need to improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings all around the world. Providing thermal insulation to the external walls and ceilings is a common practice for this purpose. The combined use of phase change materials (PCM) and thermal insulation in building envelopes could potentially further promote the building energy efficiency while avoiding overheating. This is evaluated in this paper by combining the use of expanded polystyrene and PCM gypsum board in the building envelope of a typical standalone Australian house. The evaluation was conducted through numerical simulation by considering the location of the house in three different Australian cities (Darwin, Alice Springs, and Sydney), which represent three different climate zones (tropical savanna, hot semi-arid, and humid subtropical). The results show that in a life cycle of 10 years, the total cost savings from the optimal combination of PCM board and insulation in Darwin, Alice Springs and Sydney are AU$167.0, $162.3 and $39.7/m2, respectively. Meanwhile, the energy ratings of the house are increased by 3.5, 3.8 and 4.3 stars in the three cities, respectively. The payback periods of the renovation range between 2.2 and 7.5 years, depending on the climate conditions.

Promising and Potential Applications of Phase Change Materials in the Cold Chain: A Systematic Review

Appropriate measures have been taken to reduce energy requirements for cold chain applications. Thermal energy storage is an accepted method to reduce the need for electrical energy after harvesting fresh horticultural produce. The use of phase change materials (PCM) in postharvest storage, outside of a temperature-controlled environment, extends shelf life and keeps food at the ideal temperature. This review focuses on the various trials using PCM to improve cold chain effectiveness. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each type of storage using different PCM, as well as the likely and potentially promising applications of thermal energy storage in the cold chain.

Visible light metasurface for adaptive photodetection

Semiconductor-based sub-wavelength metasurfaces are promising device platforms for the realization of optically thick and electrically thin photodetectors. Strong light–matter interactions in ultrathin film regions provide an opportunity to achieve near-unity absorption in dimensions comparable with carrier diffusion length and this, in turn, leads to an efficient collection of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, the use of phase change materials can provide real-time active tuning of optical responses of metasurface-based devices. In the first part of this paper, a tunable color filtering device is demonstrated using a metasurface design made of sub-wavelength antimony trisulphide (Sb2S3) grating placed on top of a continuous silver layer. Four distinct optical states can be acquired upon (a) the changes in the incident light polarization and (b) the phase transitions of Sb2S3. Numerical simulations and theoretical modeling data show that Fabry–Perot resonances are the driving phenomena when the proposed design is normally illuminated by an electromagnetic field with transverse electric polarization. In contrast, surface plasmon resonances are excited in transverse magnetic polarization. Furthermore, it is shown that the resonance wavelengths of the proposed design can be dynamically tuned using the geometrical parameters. Later, in the second part of the paper, adaptive photodetection is designed by integrating a nm Sb2S3 layer as a collection layer into the structure. The proposed metasurface design provides light–matter interaction in the Sb2S3 layer and maximizes the photogenerated carriers’ collection efficiency. The optically thick and electrically thin adaptive photodetection offers an opportunity to design efficient active optoelectronic and photonic devices.

Investigation into the use of phase change materials in thermal management of a solar panel in the vicinity of tubes with slotted rectangular fins

In this paper, a thermal solar panel is simulated numerically. An enclosure of CaCl2·6H2O phase change material (PCM) is placed at the bottom of the panel in the presence of graphene nanoparticles. A tube is placed in the middle of the enclosure in which alumina-water nanofluid flows at the Reynolds numbers of 200 to 800. A number of fins are installed on the tube. The effect of using three different types of fins in a period of 0 to 5 h and Reynolds number on the panel temperature, PCM volume percentage, output nanofluid temperature, bottom panel thermal resistance, and panel temperature uniformity is examined. The finite element method is employed to solve governing equations. The results demonstrate that the best temperature uniformity on the solar panel occurs at Reynolds number of 800. The Reynolds number of 800 also has the lowest maximum temperature, average panel temperature, and thermal resistance. Using the Reynolds number of 800 instead of 200 reduces the PCM volume percentage from 93.14% to 23.40% and reduces the nanofluid output temperature by 4.3 °C. Using fins case 3 creates the minimum temperature on the panel and minimum amount of thermal resistance. The fins case 3 and case 2 produce the minimum and maximum amounts of molten PCM.