Characterization of Thermophysical Properties of Phase Change Materials Using Unconventional Experimental Technologies

Arnold Martínez, Mauricio Carmona, Cristóbal Cortés and Inmaculada Arauzo
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Arnold Martínez: Rational Use of Energy and Environment Preservation Research Group from Universidad del Norte, 081007 Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
Mauricio Carmona: Rational Use of Energy and Environment Preservation Research Group from Universidad del Norte, 081007 Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
Cristóbal Cortés: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro. Building B. María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Inmaculada Arauzo: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro. Building B. María de Luna s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-23

Abstract: The growing interest in developing applications for the storage of thermal energy (TES) is highly linked to the knowledge of the properties of the materials that will be used for that purpose. Likewise, the validity of representing processes through numerical simulations will depend on the accuracy of the thermal properties of the materials. The most relevant properties in the characterization of phase change materials (PCM) are the phase change enthalpy, thermal conductivity, heat capacity and density. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the most widely used technique for determining thermophysical properties. However, several unconventional methods have been proposed in the literature, mainly due to overcome the limitations of DSC, namely, the small sample required which is unsuitable for studying inhomogeneous materials. This paper presents the characterization of two commercial paraffins commonly used in TES applications, using methods such as T-history and T-melting, which were selected due to their simplicity, high reproducibility, and low cost of implementation. In order to evaluate the reliability of the methods, values calculated with the proposed alternative methods are compared with the results obtained by DSC measurements and with the manufacturer’s technical datasheet. Results obtained show that these non-conventional techniques can be used for the accurate estimation of selected thermal properties. A detailed discussion of the advantage and disadvantage of each method is given.

Keywords: thermal energy storage; phase change materials; thermophysical characterization; T-history; T-melting CHF (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: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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