The use of a latent heat storage system using phase change materials (PCMs) is an effective way of storing thermal energy and has the advantages of high-energy storage density and the isothermal nature of the storage process. PCMs have been widely used in latent heat thermal-storage systems for heat pumps, solar engineering, and spacecraft thermal control applications. The uses of PCMs for heating and cooling applications for buildings have been investigated within the past decade. There are large numbers of PCMs that melt and solidify at a wide range of temperatures, making them attractive in a number of applications. This paper also summarizes the investigation and analysis of the available thermal energy storage systems incorporating PCMs for use in different applications.

Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials and applications

Traditional engineering instruction is deductive, beginning with theories and progressing to the applications of those theories Alternative teaching approaches are more inductive Topics are introduced by presenting specific observations, case studies or problems, and theories are taught or the students are helped to discover them only after the need to know them has been established This study reviews several of the most commonly used inductive teaching methods, including inquiry learning, problem-based learning, project-based learning, case-based teaching, discovery learning, and just-in-time teaching The paper defines each method, highlights commonalities and specific differences, and reviews research on the effectiveness of the methods While the strength of the evidence varies from one method to another, inductive methods are consistently found to be at least equal to, and in general more effective than, traditional deductive methods for achieving a broad range of learning outcomes

Inductive Teaching and Learning Methods: Definitions, Comparisons, and Research Bases

This paper reviews the development of latent heat thermal energy storage systems studied detailing various phase change materials (PCMs) investigated over the last three decades, the heat transfer and enhancement techniques employed in PCMs to effectively charge and discharge latent heat energy and the formulation of the phase change problem. It also examines the geometry and configurations of PCM containers and a series of numerical and experimental tests undertaken to assess the effects of parameters such as the inlet temperature and the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid (HTF). It is concluded that most of the phase change problems have been carried out at temperature ranges between 0 °C and 60 °C suitable for domestic heating applications. In terms of problem formulation, the common approach has been the use of enthalpy formulation. Heat transfer in the phase change problem was previously formulated using pure conduction approach but the problem has moved to a different level of complexity with added convection in the melt being accounted for. There is no standard method (such as British Standards or EU standards) developed to test for PCMs, making it difficult for comparison to be made to assess the suitability of PCMs to particular applications. A unified platform such as British Standards, EU standards needs to be developed to ensure same or similar procedure and analysis (performance curves) to allow comparison and knowledge gained from one test to be applied to another.

A review of materials, heat transfer and phase change problem formulation for latent heat thermal energy storage systems (LHTESS)

Phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Thermal energy storage technologies and systems for concentrating solar power plants

Experimentation with a water tank including a PCM module

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00498965/document

Natural convection heat transfer coefficients in phase change material (PCM) modules with external vertical fins

Thermal assessment of extensive green roofs as passive tool for energy savings in buildings

Heat pumps for space heating and cooling are a mature and highly efficient technology that can take advantage of renewable energies. They can also provide energy savings by load shifting when they operate together with thermal energy storage (TES). This paper presents a literature review of TES systems using phase change materials (PCM) potentially applicable to domestic heat pumps used in residential and administrative buildings. The paper describes the systems proposed by the different authors and presents the main conclusions of the studies. The TES systems presented are not only used as energy storage to shift the load demand but also for other applications such as heat recovery or defrosting in air-conditioners. The PCM have the suitable melting temperature to work together with standard heat pumps in each application. Moreover, some systems where the heat pump is coupled to latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) units and other energy sources or where the TES system is incorporated in a radiant floor or air distribution system have also been included.

Cristian Solé

Papers

Experimentation with a water tank including a PCM module

Natural convection heat transfer coefficients in phase change material (PCM) modules with external vertical fins

Thermal assessment of extensive green roofs as passive tool for energy savings in buildings

The use of phase change materials in domestic heat pump and air-conditioning systems for short term storage: A review

Dimensionless numbers used to characterize stratification in water tanks for discharging at low flow rates.