Liquid crystals: a new approach for latent heat storage

Abstract

SUMMARYThe development of thermal storage systems adapted to processes in which steam is involved is currently increasing because no cost-effective solution is available to date. Entailing water condensation and evaporation, isothermal storage under latent heat is the most appropriate approach. The low thermal conductivity of the materials currently in use significantly affects both power density and power generation of the storage system in discharge. In order to solve these drawbacks, the use of liquid crystals as alternative storage materials is proposed because they can absorb/release energy at constant temperature and at the same time keep the ability to flow. In this way, liquid crystals with clearing points close to the saturated steam working temperature and high enthalpy of mesophase-isotropic liquid transition would be required. The main advantage of using liquid crystals as storage materials is that convection would be the heat transfer mechanism and power would be constant with time during discharge processes.

A review of large-scale electrical energy storage

“…The use of alternative phase change materials such as liquid crystals provide the advantage of the discharged power being constant during the discharging process complimented with convection as the heat transfer process [23]. The use of alternative phase change materials such as liquid crystals provide the advantage of the discharged power being constant during the discharging process complimented with convection as the heat transfer process [23].…”

“…Phase change materials, quartz glass, room temperature ionic liquids, high purity graphite, cryogenic energy storage, air receivers using solid materials, thermochemical energy storage, saturated water/steam, and rock bed storage forms the crux of newer technologies in high temperature thermal energy storage in the range of 400 to 1000°C. The use of alternative phase change materials such as liquid crystals provide the advantage of the discharged power being constant during the discharging process complimented with convection as the heat transfer process [23]. This paper gives a broad overview of the plethora of energy storage S. Hameer and J. L. van Niekerk…”

Phase change performance assessment of salt mixtures for thermal energy storage material

“…Phase change materials (PCMs) offer an effective method for the efficient usage of latent thermal energy. Phase change materials are widely applied in the thermal energy storage field, such as solar energy, industrial waste heat and intermittent electric heating energy . The investigation and development of high performance PCMs are of great significance for energy storage, supply and demand.…”

Easily Accessible Thermotropic Hydrogen‐Bonded Columnar Discotic Liquid Crystals from Fatty Acid– Tris‐Benzoimidazolyl Benzene Complexes

“…Discotic liquid crystals( DLCs) are currently being investigated for application in various functional materials:f or example, semiconductors, [1] nanoporous polymers, [2] displays, [3] and in thermale nergy storage. [4] However, the practical applications of DLCs are often limited by lengthy synthetic routes, low solubility,m etal impurities,d ifficult purifications, high clearing points, high melting temperatures,a nd high viscosity.Astrategy to avoid some of these problems is to use at emplate as the core molecule in combination with hydrogen-bonded peripheral arms in ah ydrogen-bonded DLC. Hydrogen-bonded nematica nd smectic liquid crystals( LCs) were introduced by Kato et al and have been investigated thoroughly.…”