Review on thermal energy storage with phase change: materials, heat transfer analysis and applications

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)

The continuous increase in the level of greenhouse gas emissions and the climb in fuel prices are the main driving forces behind efforts to more effectively utilise various sources of renewable energy. In many parts of the world, direct solar radiation is considered to be one of the most prospective sources of energy. However, the large-scale utilisation of this form of energy is possible only if the effective technology for its storage can be developed with acceptable capital and running costs. One of prospective techniques of storing solar energy is the application of phase change materials (PCMs). Unfortunately, prior to the large-scale practical application of this technology, it is necessary to resolve numerous problems at the research and development stage. This paper looks at the current state of research in this particular field, with the main focus being on the assessment of the thermal properties of various PCMs, methods of heat transfer enhancement and design configurations of heat storage facilities to be used as a part of solar passive and active space heating systems, greenhouses and solar cooking.

Solar energy storage using phase change materials

Several simplified design procedures for solar energy systems require monthly average meteorological data. Monthly average daily totals of the solar radiation incident on a horizontal surface are available. However, radiation data on tilted surfaces, required by the design procedures, are generally not available. A simple method of estimating the average daily radiation for each calendar month on surfaces facing directly towards the equator has been presented by Liu and Jordan [1]. This method is verified with experimental measurements and extended to allow calculation of monthly average radiation on surfaces of a wide range of orientations.

Calculation of monthly average insolation on tilted surfaces

The use of a latent heat storage system using Phase Change Materials (PCM) is an effective way of storing thermal energy (solar energy, off-peak electricity, industrial waste heat) and has the advantages of high storage density and the isothermal nature of the storage process. It has been demonstrated that, for the development of a latent heat storage system, choice of the PCM plays an important role in addition to heat transfer mechanism. The information on the latent heat storage materials and systems is enormous and published widely in the literatures. In this paper, we make an effort to gather the information from the previous works on PCMs and latent heat storage systems. This review will help to find a suitable PCM for various purposes a suitable heat exchanger with ways to enhance the heat transfer, and it will also help to provide a variety of designs to store the heat using PCMs for different applications, i.e. space heating & cooling, solar cooking, greenhouses, solar water heating and waste heat recovery systems. Measurement techniques of thermophysical properties, studies on thermal cycles for long term stability, corrosion of the PCMs and enhancement of heat transfer in PCM are discussed. New PCM innovations are also included for the awareness of new applications. This paper contains a list of about 250 PCMs and more than 250 references.

Latent Heat Storage Materials and Systems: A Review

Effect of Finite Width on Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow about an Inclined Rectangular Plate

Experiments to determine film cooling with air injection through holes into turbulent air boundary layer on flat plate

James W. Ramsey

Papers

Effect of Finite Width on Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow about an Inclined Rectangular Plate

Film Cooling With Injection Through Holes: Adiabatic Wall Temperatures Downstream of a Circular Hole

Experiments on In-line Pin Fin Arrays and Performance Comparisons with Staggered Arrays

Freezing on a finned tube for either conduction-controlled or natural-convection-controlled heat transfer

Experiments on the Role of Natural Convection in the Melting of Solids