Recent developments in phase change materials for energy storage applications: A review

Materials with hierarchical porosity and structures have been heavily involved in newly developed energy storage and conversion systems. Because of meticulous design and ingenious hierarchical structuration of porosities through the mimicking of natural systems, hierarchically structured porous materials can provide large surface areas for reaction, interfacial transport, or dispersion of active sites at different length scales of pores and shorten diffusion paths or reduce diffusion effect. By the incorporation of macroporosity in materials, light harvesting can be enhanced, showing the importance of macrochannels in light related systems such as photocatalysis and photovoltaics. A state-of-the-art review of the applications of hierarchically structured porous materials in energy conversion and storage is presented. Their involvement in energy conversion such as in photosynthesis, photocatalytic H 2 production, photocatalysis, or in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and fuel cells (FCs) is discussed. Energy storage technologies such as Li-ions batteries, supercapacitors, hydrogen storage, and solar thermal storage developed based on hierarchically porous materials are then discussed. The links between the hierarchically porous structures and their performances in energy conversion and storage presented can promote the design of the novel structures with advanced properties.

Hierarchically Structured Porous Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a technology that stocks thermal energy by heating or cooling a storage medium so that the stored energy can be used at a later time for heating and cooling applications and power generation TES systems are used particularly in buildings and in industrial processes This paper is focused on TES technologies that provide a way of valorizing solar heat and reducing the energy demand of buildings The principles of several energy storage methods and calculation of storage capacities are described Sensible heat storage technologies, including water tank, underground, and packed-bed storage methods, are briefly reviewed Additionally, latent-heat storage systems associated with phase-change materials for use in solar heating/cooling of buildings, solar water heating, heat-pump systems, and concentrating solar power plants as well as thermo-chemical storage are discussed Finally, cool thermal energy storage is also briefly reviewed and outstanding information on the performance and costs of TES systems are included

A Comprehensive Review of Thermal Energy Storage

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)/diatomite composite as a novel form-stable phase change material for thermal energy storage

In recent years, energy conservation and environmental protection have become most important issues for humanity. Phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage can solve the issues of energy and environment to a certain extent, as PCMs can increase the efficiency and sustainability of energy. PCMs possess large latent heat, and they store and release energy at a constant temperature during the phase change process. Thereby PCMs have gained a wide range of applications in various fields, such as buildings, solar energy systems, power systems and military industry. However, low thermal conductivity of PCMs leads to low heat transfer rate, thus, numerous studies have been carried out to improve thermal conductivity of PCMs. The main purpose of this paper is to review the methods for enhancing thermal conductivity of PCMs, which include adding additives with high thermal conductivity and encapsulating phase change materials. It is found that addition of thermal conductivity enhancement fillers is a more effective method to improve thermal conductivity of PCMs, where carbon-based material additives possess a more promising application prospect. Finally, the applications of PCMs in solar energy system, buildings, cooling system, textiles and heat recovery system are also analyzed.

Review on thermal conductivity enhancement, thermal properties and applications of phase change materials in thermal energy storage

Impregnation of porous material with phase change material for thermal energy storage

Latent heat storage using alloys as phase change materials (PCMs) is an attractive option for high-temperature thermal energy storage. Encapsulation of these PCMs is essential for their successful use. However, so far, technology for producing microencapsulated PCMs (MEPCMs) that can be used above 500°C has not been established. Therefore, in this study, we developed Al-Si alloy microsphere MEPCMs covered by α-Al2O3 shells. The MEPCM was prepared in two steps: (1) the formation of an AlOOH shell on the PCM particles using a boehmite treatment, and (2) heat-oxidation treatment in an O2 atmosphere to form a stable α-Al2O3 shell. The MEPCM presented a melting point of 573°C and latent heat of 247 J g(-1). The cycling performance showed good durability. These results indicated the possibility of using MEPCM at high temperatures. The MEPCM developed in this study has great promise in future energy and chemical processes, such as exergy recuperation and process intensification.

/pdf/microencapsulation-of-metal-based-phase-change-material-for-182pbjmjuw.pdf

Microencapsulation of metal-based phase change material for high-temperature thermal energy storage.

Macro-encapsulation of metallic phase change material using cylindrical-type ceramic containers for high-temperature thermal energy storage

Microencapsulated phase change materials with high heat capacity and high cyclic durability for high-temperature thermal energy storage and transportation

Takahiro Nomura

Papers

Impregnation of porous material with phase change material for thermal energy storage

Microencapsulation of metal-based phase change material for high-temperature thermal energy storage.

Macro-encapsulation of metallic phase change material using cylindrical-type ceramic containers for high-temperature thermal energy storage

Microencapsulated phase change materials with high heat capacity and high cyclic durability for high-temperature thermal energy storage and transportation

High thermal conductivity phase change composite with percolating carbon fiber network