Showing papers in "International Journal of Energy Research in 2019"

The micro‐/nano‐PCMs for thermal energy storage systems: A state of art review

Abstract: With advancement in technology, the nanotechnology, various thermal energy storage (TES) materials have been invented and modified with promising thermal transport properties. The solid–liquid phase change materials (PCMs) have been extensively used as TES materials for various energy applications due to their highly favourable and potential thermal properties. The class of PCMs, organic phase change materials (OPCMs) have more potential and advantages over the class, inorganic phase change materials (IPCMs) having high phase change enthalpy (positive advantage). However, the OPCMs possess low thermal conductivity as well as density and suffer leakage during the melting phase. The encapsulation technologies (i.e. micro and nano) of PCMs, with organic and inorganic materials, have a tendency to enhance the thermal conductivity, effective heat transfer, and leakage issues as TES materials. The encapsulation of PCMs involves several technologies to develop at both micro and nano levels, called micro–encapsulated PCMs (micro–PCM) and nano–encapsulated PCMs (nano–PCM) respectively. This study covers a wide range of preparation methods, thermal and morphological characteristics, their stability, applications and future perspective of micro/nano–PCMs as TES materials. The potential applications such as solar–to–thermal, electrical–to–thermal, thermal management, building, textile, foam, medical industry of micro– and nano–PCMs are reviewed critically. Finally, this review paper highlights the emerging future research paths of the mico/nano–PCMs for the researchers who are working in the area of thermal energy storage.

A review of marine renewable energy storage

Abstract: 6108 © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Summary Marine renewable energies are promising enablers of a cleaner energy future. Some technologies, like wind, are maturing and have already achieved commercial success. Similar to their terrestrial counterparts, marine renewable energy systems require energy storage capabilities to achieve the flexibility of the 21st century grid demand. The unique difficulties imposed by a harsh marine environment challenge the unencumbered rise of marine renewable energy generation and storage systems. In this study, the fundamentals of marine renewable energy generation technologies are briefed. A comprehensive review and comparison of state‐of‐the‐art novel marine renewable energy storage technologies, including pumped hydro storage (PHS), compressed air energy storage (CAES), battery energy storage (BES), hydrogen energy storage (HES), gravity energy storage (GES), and buoyancy energy storage (ByES), are conducted. The pros and cons, and potential applications, of various marine renewable energy storage technologies are also compiled. Finally, several future trends of marine renewable energy storage technologies are connoted.

Effects of an MPL on water and thermal management in a PEMFC

Abstract: In this study, the effects of adding a microporous layer (MPL) as well as the impact of its physical properties on polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) performance with serpentine flow channels were investigated. In addition, numerical simulations were performed to reveal the effect of relative humidity and operating temperature. It is indicated that adding an extra between the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and catalyst layer (CL), a discontinuity in the liquid saturation shows up at their interface because of differences in the wetting properties of the layers. In addition, results show that a higher MPL porosity causes the liquid water saturation to decrease and the cell performance is improved. A larger MPL thickness reduces the cell performance. The effects of MPL on temperature distribution and thermal transport of the membrane prove that the MPL in addition to being a water management layer also improves the thermal management of the PEMFC.