Effect of surfactants on solidification characteristics of DI water based PCM for Cold Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

Cold Thermal Energy Storage is an upcoming need for sustainable energy consumption and storage. It finds application in wide variety of energy need in the sub-zero temperature zone. This work aims to study the effect of various surfactants on solidification characteristics of spherically encapsulated DI water with different surfactants. A constant temperature bath at -7°C is used to charge spherical encapsulated PCM using VCR system. Tween 80, Gum Arabic (also known as Gum Acacia) and PVP K30 are selected as surfactants and samples are prepared at various concentrations. To check the feasibility of the sample for thermal energy storage application its thermal properties are determined. Tween 80 and Gum Arabic showed no super cooling and subsequent reduction in super cooling was observed in case of PVP.