Materials for Phase Change Heat Storage in Scheffler Reflectors

Abstract

In order for humans to meet their fundamental needs, energy is required. The main sources of natural energy are carbon-based fuels such as biomass and fossil fuels. These fuels made of carbon are scarce and harmful to the environment. Innovative clean and environmentally friendly energy solutions are desperately needed. Particularly in light of the global issues posed by population expansion, the environment, and economic growth, solar energy may be a workable alternative for sustainable development. The Scheffler is a unique kind of solar concentrator that can quickly attain a high temperature. By adding a heat storage unit, Scheffler's capacity to retain heat may be greatly boosted. This study compares the thermal and physical properties, such as density, thermal conductivity, and melting point, of various thermal storage materials that are used to store heat energy for a longer amount of time, such as bricks, concrete, water, phase change material (PCM), latent heat storage material (LHS), aluminum, iron, molten salts, silicon, etc.