Experimental Characterization of Phase Change Materials for Refrigeration Processes

Anastasia Stamatiou, Lukas Müller, Roger Zimmermann, Jamie Hillis, David Oliver, Kate Fisher, Maurizio Zaglio and Jörg Worlitschek
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Anastasia Stamatiou: Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CC TES), School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, Switzerland
Lukas Müller: Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CC TES), School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, Switzerland
Roger Zimmermann: Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CC TES), School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, Switzerland
Jamie Hillis: Sunamp Ltd., 1 Satellite Park, Macmerry East Lothian EH33 1RY, UK
David Oliver: Sunamp Ltd., 1 Satellite Park, Macmerry East Lothian EH33 1RY, UK
Kate Fisher: Sunamp Ltd., 1 Satellite Park, Macmerry East Lothian EH33 1RY, UK
Maurizio Zaglio: Sunamp Ltd., 1 Satellite Park, Macmerry East Lothian EH33 1RY, UK
Jörg Worlitschek: Competence Center Thermal Energy Storage (CC TES), School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6048 Horw, Switzerland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Latent heat storage units for refrigeration processes are promising as alternatives to water/glycol-based storage due to their significantly higher energy densities, which would lead to more compact and potentially more cost-effective storages. In this study, important thermophysical properties of five phase change material (PCM) candidates are determined in the temperature range between −22 and −35 °C and their compatibility with relevant metals and polymers is investigated. The goal is to complement existing scattered information in literature and to apply a consistent testing methodology to all PCMs, to enable a more reliable comparison between them. More specifically, the enthalpy of fusion, melting point, density, compatibility with aluminum, copper, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), neoprene and butyl rubber, are experimentally determined for 1-heptanol, n-decane, propionic acid, NaCl/water mixtures, and Al(NO 3 ) 3 /water mixtures. The results of the investigations reveal individual strengths and weaknesses of the five candidates. Further, 23.3 wt.% NaCl in water stands out for its very high volumetric energy density and n-decane follows with a lower energy density but better compatibility with surrounding materials and supercooling performance. The importance of using consistent methodologies to determine thermophysical properties when the goal is to compare PCM performance is highlighted.

Keywords: refrigeration; cooling; industrial process; phase change materials; thermal properties; latent heat storage (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: 2021
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