Efficient Solar-to-Thermal Energy Conversion and Storage with High-Thermal-Conductivity and Form-Stabilized Phase Change Composite Based on Wood-Derived Scaffolds

Bolin Chen, Meng Han, Bowei Zhang, Gaoyuan Ouyang, Behrouz Shafei, Xinwei Wang and Shan Hu
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Bolin Chen: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Meng Han: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Bowei Zhang: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Gaoyuan Ouyang: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Behrouz Shafei: Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Xinwei Wang: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Shan Hu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: Solar-to-thermal energy conversion is one of the most efficient ways to harvest solar energy. In this study, a novel phase change composite with porous carbon monolith derived from natural wood is fabricated to harvest solar irradiation and store it as thermal energy. Organic phase change material n-octadecane is physically adsorbed inside the porous structure of the carbonized wood, and a thin graphite coating encapsulates the exterior of the wood structure to further prevent n-octadecane leakage. The carbonized wood scaffold and the graphite coating not only stabilize the form of the n-octadecane during phase change, but also enhance its thermal conductivity by 143% while retaining 87% of its latent heat. Under 1-sun irradiation, the composite achieves an apparent 97% solar-to-thermal conversion efficiency.

Keywords: solar thermal energy; phase change material; thermal storage; thermal conductivity; carbonaceous material; carbon matrix composite (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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