Characterization of Metal-PCMs for Thermal Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

In recent years phase change materials have emerged to be ideal energy storage materials for their higher energy density over sensible heat storing materials. Use of phase change materials (PCM) have been successfully implemented at lower temperature applications with various organic compounds. On the other hand, high temperature applications have been solely dominated by various salts, their eutectics and mixtures as phase change materials. This work discusses the suitability of metals and alloys for thermal energy storage applications as the phase change material. Metals offer superior thermal conductivities with considerable energy density compared to salts. Here, two alloys namely, Sn-0.3Ag-0.7Cu (SAC) solidifying over 212-224°C and ZA8 (Zn-8%Al) solidifying over 378-405°C have been studied. Thermal analysis of PCMs using Computer Aided Cooling Curve Analysis (CA-CCA) and DSC technique were performed to predict the solidification path. In addition to this, Newtonian technique was employed to estimate the latent heat of fusion for these phase change materials. Cooling rate curves and Fraction Solid curves offered a better insight into their ability to receive and discharge heat over the concerned temperature range.