Phase change energy storage container

Are phase change materials suitable for thermal energy storage?

Phase change materials (PCMs) having a large latent heat during solid-liquid phase transition are promising for thermal energy storage applications. However, the relatively low thermal conductivity of the majority of promising PCMs (<10 W/ (m ⋅ K)) limits the power density and overall storage efficiency.

What is a phase change container used for?

The present work deals with the review of containers used for the phase change materials for different applications, namely, thermal energy storage, electronic cooling, food and drug transportation and solar water and space heating. The material and geometry of container plays a crucial role in the thermal performance of the system.

How does a phase change energy storage system work?

The heat transfer medium exchanges heat with the PCM through the pipe or vessel wall, causing the PCM to undergo phase change for heat storage or release. Scholars have extensively researched phase change energy storage systems in shell-and-tube configurations.

What are encapsulated phase change thermal storage systems?

Encapsulated phase change thermal storage systems represent a novel and effective alternative to shell-and-tube vessels. They encapsulate PCM in multiple sub-vessels within the M-TES container, thereby enhancing heat transfer performance through an increased surface area for heat exchange.

What are the types of phase change thermal energy storage vessels?

Based on different vessel structures and heat transfer mechanisms, phase change thermal energy storage vessels can be classified into direct-contact and non-direct-contact types. Non-direct-contact phase change thermal storage vessels include shell-and-tube and encapsulated types based on the PCM encapsulation method [5, 6].

Are spherical and cylindrical phase change thermal storage units effective?

In summary, while substantial research has been conducted on spherical and cylindrical phase change thermal storage units, there is a notable lack of studies on the thermal storage performance of plate-type phase change units and containers combining multiple plate phase change units.