The Potential Environmental and Social Influence of the Inorganic Salt Hydrates Used as a Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage in Solar Installations

Abstract

The aim of this article is to assess the potential impact of inorganic salt hydrates used as PCM material in solar installations on the environment and human health and to assess the society’s approach to this technology. The properties of salt are discussed in two ways: first, by analyzing the environmental and health problems caused by chemical hazards on the basis of the available material safety data sheets. Secondly, by analyzing the potential disadvantages of salt hydrates in terms of environmental hazards based on the results of experimental studies available in the literature. Then, using questionnaires, the public approach to solar installations with a built-in converter containing salt hydrates is assessed. Disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate turned out to be the most prospective salt in terms of environmental, thermophysical, and economic properties for use in solar installations. Understanding the attitudes of the local community toward technologies using inorganic salt hydrates will enable appropriate action to be taken in the future to promote their development. Surveys have shown great public concern about their impact on the environment and human health. In this regard, it is necessary to implement information and promotion activities.

Analysis of Heavy Metal Contaminants and Mobility in Sewage sludge-soil Mixtures for Sustainable Agricultural Practices

“…At present, global carbon dioxide emissions have reached record levels and represent one of the most serious global environmental challenges. For this reason, if there is an opportunity to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by reducing the amount of sludge incinerated while recovering a valuable raw material, it is vital that this potential is fully exploited [39].…”

Impact of solar-driven heating strategies on the phase change thermal storage performance of erythritol

“…Mahdi et al evaluated paraffin wax as a PCM, focusing on its thermal storage capabilities ( Mahdi et al, 2019 ). Nartowska et al underscored the potential of sodium dihydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate as an eco-friendly and cost-effective PCM for solar devices ( Nartowska et al, 2023 ). Wang et al demonstrated that pairing foam aluminum with paraffin improves the PCM’s thermal conductivity ( Wang et al, 2015 ).…”

The Influence of Nusselt Correlation on Exergy Efficiency of a Plate Heat Exchanger Operating with TiO2:SiO2/EG:DI Hybrid Nanofluid

“…The thermal conductivity coefficient can be from several (0.25% CaCO 3 (50:50%)/DI [15] or 0.3% Fe 3 O 4 -CNT/water [16]) to even several dozen percents higher (1% TiO 2 + MWCNT/EG [17] and 1.5% Al 2 O 3 + MWCNT/thermal oil [9]) than in the case of the base liquid. Nanofluids are also eagerly tested in closed-loop solar systems [18], in which solar radiation energy is converted into thermal [19] or electrical energy [20]. The efficiency of exchanger installations can be effectively determined using the exergy method, as in, for example, [21][22][23].…”