Unconventional experimental technologies available for phase change materials (PCM) characterization. Part 1. Thermophysical properties

Abstract

The use of thermal energy storage by phase change materials (PCM) is increasing in interest for building applications. For the deployment of the technology, appropriate characterization of PCM and hybrid PCM is essential, but it is not always possible to carry it out with conventional equipment, mainly due to the sample size. This paper shows equipment developed in different research centers and universities to analyze thermophysical properties, such as specific heat, latent heat and melting temperature, and thermal conductivity and diffusivity of PCM and hybrid PCM materials.

Design of a low-temperature solar heating system based on a slurry Phase Change Material (PCS)

“…For this reason, a characterisation of the mPCS is necessary, and the definition of the specific enthalpy-temperature curve, for various concentrations, is an important step in this procedure [53]. A T-History method [54] was used to determine these thermo-physical properties. The specific enthalpy-temperature curve that resulted from the elaboration of the measured data for mPCM concentrations of 30 wt.% and 40 wt.% is reported in Fig.…”

Shape-stabilized phase change composite by impregnation of octadecane into mesoporous SiO

“…Many reports on building systems using PCMs have been published, and recent advances are summarized in several review papers [9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. In addition, specialized experimental and analytical technologies for PCMs have been developed [16,17]. These technologies can further the application of PCMs in building materials by accelerating their practical implementation from labscale experiments.…”

Enthalpy-temperature Evaluation of Slurry Phase Change Materials with T-history Method

“…The most used thermal analysis methods for PCMs are: Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) [19], Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Time History method (T-History) and Thermo Gravimetric Analyser (TGA) [18]. The last one is seldom used.…”

“…The sample has to be representative of the material under investigation and the specific boundary conditions of the experiment should be taken into account when the monitored data are post-processed. Cabeza et al [18] developed general guidelines for referring the experiments of PCM characterisation to standard conditions.…”