Thermal Characteristics of Paraffin/Expanded Perlite Composite for Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

This study focuses on the preparation and thermal properties of paraffin/expanded perlite composite as novel form-stable phase change material for latent heat thermal energy storage by vacuum impregnation method. The paraffin could be absorbed in pores of expanded perlite as much as 55 wt% without melted phase change material seepage from the composite and this mixture was described as formstable composite phase change material. The melting and freezing temperatures and latent heats of form-stable composite phase change material were measured using differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The thermal cycling test indicated that the form-stable composite phase change material had good thermal reliability in terms of the changes in thermal properties after 5,000 thermal cycling. Thermal conductivity of the form-stable composite phase change material was increased by about 46% by adding 5 wt% expanded graphite. The results indicated that the prepared form-stable paraffin/expanded perlite/expanded graphite composite phase change material has a great potential for latent heat thermal energy storage systems solar passive heating purposes due to suitable phase change temperature, high latent heat capacity, good thermal reliability, and thermal conductivity.

Recently emerging trends in thermal conductivity of polymer nanocomposites

“…However, a wide variety of techniques has been employed to improve thermal conductivity (Karapekl et al 2009). Numerous researches have revealed that PCMs with high heat dissipation can be prepared using PCMs containing a distribution of high heat-conductive particles, such as metal fillers (Zhou and Zhao 2011).…”

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)/diatomite composite as a novel form-stable phase change material for thermal energy storage

“…The PEG/diatomite composite PCM was prepared using vacuum impregnation method [20,21]. The schematic of vacuum impregnation system is shown in Fig.…”

Expanded Vermiculite/Paraffin Composite as a Solar Thermal Energy Storage Material

“…Phlogopite could supply a path for the heat transfer of paraffin, resulting in the enhanced thermal conductivity of the composite compared with that of paraffin. Table lists ∆H values and thermal conductivities of reported PCMs . These data indicate that the composite had a higher ∆H and thermal conductivity than most reported PCMs.…”