IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v13y2020i18p4687-d410812.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • Arnold Martínez

    (Rational Use of Energy and Environment Preservation Research Group from Universidad del Norte, 081007 Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
    Engineering, Science and Technology—I.C.T Research group from Universidad de Córdoba, 230002 Montería, Córdoba, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Arnold Martínez & Mauricio Carmona & Cristóbal Cortés & Inmaculada Arauzo, 2020. "Characterization of Thermophysical Properties of Phase Change Materials Using Unconventional Experimental Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:18:p:4687-:d:410812
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/18/4687/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/18/4687/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xu, Tianhao & Gunasekara, Saman Nimali & Chiu, Justin Ningwei & Palm, Björn & Sawalha, Samer, 2020. "Thermal behavior of a sodium acetate trihydrate-based PCM: T-history and full-scale tests," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    2. Wang, Xiaolin & Dennis, Mike, 2016. "Characterisation of thermal properties and charging performance of semi-clathrate hydrates for cold storage applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 59-69.
    3. Faraj, Khaireldin & Khaled, Mahmoud & Faraj, Jalal & Hachem, Farouk & Castelain, Cathy, 2020. "Phase change material thermal energy storage systems for cooling applications in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Cabeza, Luisa F. & Barreneche, Camila & Martorell, Ingrid & Miró, Laia & Sari-Bey, Sana & Fois, Magali & Paksoy, Halime O. & Sahan, Nurten & Weber, Robert & Constantinescu, Mariaella & Anghel, Elena M, 2015. "Unconventional experimental technologies available for phase change materials (PCM) characterization. Part 1. Thermophysical properties," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 1399-1414.
    5. Stanković, Stanislava B. & Kyriacou, Panayiotis A., 2013. "Improved measurement technique for the characterization of organic and inorganic phase change materials using the T-history method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 433-440.
    6. Khan, Mohammed Mumtaz A. & Saidur, R. & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2017. "A review for phase change materials (PCMs) in solar absorption refrigeration systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 105-137.
    7. Kravvaritis, E.D. & Antonopoulos, K.A. & Tzivanidis, C., 2011. "Experimental determination of the effective thermal capacity function and other thermal properties for various phase change materials using the thermal delay method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4459-4469.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Rolka, Paulina & Przybylinski, Tomasz & Kwidzinski, Roman & Lackowski, Marcin, 2021. "The heat capacity of low-temperature phase change materials (PCM) applied in thermal energy storage systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 541-550.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rostami, Sara & Afrand, Masoud & Shahsavar, Amin & Sheikholeslami, M. & Kalbasi, Rasool & Aghakhani, Saeed & Shadloo, Mostafa Safdari & Oztop, Hakan F., 2020. "A review of melting and freezing processes of PCM/nano-PCM and their application in energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    2. Veronika Stahl & Werner Kraft & Peter Vetter & Florian Feder, 2021. "Simulative Investigation of Thermal Capacity Analysis Methods for Metallic Latent Thermal Energy Storage Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Umair, Malik Muhammad & Zhang, Yuang & Iqbal, Kashif & Zhang, Shufen & Tang, Bingtao, 2019. "Novel strategies and supporting materials applied to shape-stabilize organic phase change materials for thermal energy storage–A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 846-873.
    4. Drissi, Sarra & Ling, Tung-Chai & Mo, Kim Hung & Eddhahak, Anissa, 2019. "A review of microencapsulated and composite phase change materials: Alteration of strength and thermal properties of cement-based materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 467-484.
    5. Jayathunga, D.S. & Karunathilake, H.P. & Narayana, M. & Witharana, S., 2024. "Phase change material (PCM) candidates for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) in concentrated solar power (CSP) based thermal applications - A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    6. Rolka, Paulina & Przybylinski, Tomasz & Kwidzinski, Roman & Lackowski, Marcin, 2021. "The heat capacity of low-temperature phase change materials (PCM) applied in thermal energy storage systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 541-550.
    7. Inés Fernández, A. & Solé, Aran & Giró-Paloma, Jessica & Martínez, Mònica & Hadjieva, Mila & Boudenne, Abdel & Constantinescu, Mariaella & Maria Anghel, Elena & Malikova, Marta & Krupa, Igor & Peñalos, 2015. "Unconventional experimental technologies used for phase change materials (PCM) characterization: part 2 – morphological and structural characterization, physico-chemical stability and mechanical prope," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 1415-1426.
    8. Maria Gabriela De Paola & Natale Arcuri & Vincenza Calabrò & Marilena De Simone, 2017. "Thermal and Stability Investigation of Phase Change Material Dispersions for Thermal Energy Storage by T-History and Optical Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-15, March.
    9. Wu, Xi & Xu, Shiming & Jiang, Mengnan, 2018. "Development of bubble absorption refrigeration technology: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3468-3482.
    10. Yu, De-Hai & He, Zhi-Zhu, 2019. "Shape-remodeled macrocapsule of phase change materials for thermal energy storage and thermal management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 503-516.
    11. Vítor Leal & Raul Teixeira, 2020. "PoDIT: Portable Device for Indoor Temperature Stabilization: Concept and Theoretical Performance Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-15, November.
    12. Luu, Minh Tri & Milani, Dia & Nomvar, Mobin & Abbas, Ali, 2020. "A design protocol for enhanced discharge exergy in phase change material heat battery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    13. Wang, Huiru & Liu, Zhenyu & Wu, Huiying, 2017. "Entransy dissipation-based thermal resistance optimization of slab LHTES system with multiple PCMs arranged in a 2D array," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 739-751.
    14. Mohamed, Shamseldin A. & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A. & Ibrahim, Nasiru I. & Zahir, Md. Hasan & Al-Ahmed, Amir & Saidur, R. & Yılbaş, B.S. & Sahin, A.Z., 2017. "A review on current status and challenges of inorganic phase change materials for thermal energy storage systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1072-1089.
    15. Zhang, Xiangguo & Li, Yuqing & Luo, Chunhuan & Pan, Chongchao, 2021. "Fabrication and properties of novel tubular carbon fiber-ionic liquids/stearic acid composite PCMs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 411-421.
    16. Soares, N. & Matias, T. & Durães, L. & Simões, P.N. & Costa, J.J., 2023. "Thermophysical characterization of paraffin-based PCMs for low temperature thermal energy storage applications for buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    17. Macmanus Chinenye Ndukwu & Lyes Bennamoun & Merlin Simo-Tagne, 2021. "Reviewing the Exergy Analysis of Solar Thermal Systems Integrated with Phase Change Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-26, January.
    18. Savvakis, Nikolaos & Tsoutsos, Theocharis, 2021. "Theoretical design and experimental evaluation of a PV+PCM system in the mediterranean climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    19. Elaouzy, Y. & El Fadar, A., 2022. "Energy, economic and environmental benefits of integrating passive design strategies into buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    20. Giro-Paloma, Jessica & Oncins, Gerard & Barreneche, Camila & Martínez, Mònica & Fernández, A. Inés & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2013. "Physico-chemical and mechanical properties of microencapsulated phase change material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 441-448.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:18:p:4687-:d:410812. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.