Latent heat storage using renewable saturated diesters as phase change materials

Michael C. Floros and Suresh S. Narine

Energy, 2016, vol. 115, issue P1, 924-930

Abstract: A series of phase change materials produced primarily from non-toxic renewable vegetable oil derivatives are described. It is shown that the synthesis of the materials from commercially available fatty acid methyl esters and short-chain dialcohols is rapid and effective. The phase change temperatures of these materials can be predictively varied, while maintaining similar latent heat values, as a function of the length of the fatty acid methyl esters and/or short chain dialcohols. This facilitates the synthesis of phase change materials which function over a wide range of working temperatures, whilst maintaining the amount of heat absorbed or released within a predictable range. The PCMs described compare favorably to other commercial PCMs, with similar or higher latent heat values. One diester which melts within a normal hot beverage consumption range was used to test diester thermoregulation. An insulated beverage container was modified with a PCM liner and filled with water initially at 85 °C. The PCM modified container brought the water to a drinkable temperature range (60 °C ± 10 °C) in less than 1 min and held the temperature of the water within the desired range for a longer duration than a control without added PCM.

Keywords: Phase change material; Diester; Fatty acid; Lipid derived; Renewable energy storage; Green chemistry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:115:y:2016:i:p1:p:924-930

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.09.085

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