Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a PCM-Supported ...
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melt <strong>and</strong> freeze without segregation since they freeze to an intimate mixture <strong>of</strong><br />
crystals, leaving little opportunity for the components to separate [98].<br />
Frame 2.1: Desirable properties <strong>of</strong> latent heat storage materials [94, 95]<br />
Thermo physical properties<br />
Melting temperature in the desired operating temperature range<br />
High latent heat <strong>of</strong> fusion per unit volume, so that less volume <strong>of</strong> the container is<br />
required for storing a given amount <strong>of</strong> energy<br />
High density, so that a smaller amount <strong>of</strong> <strong>PCM</strong> can be used.<br />
High specific heat to provide for additional significant sensible heat storage effects<br />
High thermal conductivity <strong>of</strong> both solid <strong>and</strong> liquid phases, so that the temperature<br />
gradients required for charging <strong>and</strong> discharging the storage material are small<br />
Small volume change, on phase transformation <strong>and</strong> small vapour pressure at<br />
operating temperatures to reduce the containment problems<br />
Congruent melting, the material should melt completely so that the solid <strong>and</strong> liquid<br />
phases are identical in composition. Otherwise, the difference in density between<br />
solid <strong>and</strong> liquid may cause segregation resulting in changes in the chemical<br />
composition <strong>of</strong> the material<br />
Kinetic properties<br />
High nucleation rate to avoid super cooling <strong>of</strong> the liquid phase i.e. the melt should<br />
crystallise at its thermodynamic freezing point. At times, the super cooling may be<br />
superposed by introducing nucleating agent or a "cold finger" in the storage<br />
material<br />
High rate <strong>of</strong> crystals growth, so that the system can meet dem<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> heat<br />
recovery from the storage system<br />
Chemical properties<br />
Chemical stability<br />
Complete reversible freezing/melting cycle<br />
No degradation after a large number <strong>of</strong> freezing/melting cycles<br />
Non-corrosiveness to construction materials<br />
Non-toxic, non-flammable <strong>and</strong> non-explosive materials for safety<br />
2.6.4 Salt Mixtures<br />
The composite salt/ceramic thermal energy storage media concept <strong>of</strong>fers the<br />
potential <strong>of</strong> using <strong>PCM</strong> via direct contact heat exchange <strong>and</strong>, therefore, the potential<br />
<strong>of</strong> significant cost improvement through elimination <strong>of</strong> heat exchange materials, <strong>and</strong><br />
reduction <strong>of</strong> storage material <strong>and</strong> containment vessel size. This salt ceramic<br />
approach may be explained as micro-encapsulation <strong>of</strong> a <strong>PCM</strong> within the submicron<br />
pores <strong>of</strong> a ceramic matrix [101]. The liquid salt is retained within the solid ceramic<br />
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