Thermal energy storage using phase change materials: a way forward

Abstract

The Phase Change Material (PCM) stores thermal energy in form of latent heat during phase change process. This is one of the way to store available energy to use later for application during off-sunshine hours. This paper reviewed the recent investigation in the area of PCM as Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and a way forward. This review summarises the previous research works based on the type of PCMs and method of work. A radar map, mind map, comparison charts, etc., are developed for energy storage technologies and different PCMs. The geometry of PCM container of TES is first introduced and followed by the types of PCM used for TES. The most of the recent work such as paraffin, fatty acids, hydrates and metallic as PCM for TES are discussed. In the subsequent part of the paper, the recent developments of eutectic mixture of PCMs and metallic PCMs for TES are also reviewed as way forward reducing the Global Warming Potential building a holistic picture.

Principles of solar energy storage

“…The technical details of energy storage can be found in the excellent review articles elsewhere (see, for example, References. ).…”

“…The first method concerns a common property of matter to experience bulk heating, where the value of the stored energy is proportional to specific heat capacity of the material used, giving rise to the so‐called sensible heat . The second method uses the property of the matter to absorb/release heat (so‐called latent heat ) upon phase transitions . If a certain phase transition is accompanied by heat absorption, the reverse process will release the same amount of heat, so the energy can be stored as long as a certain phase of matter is sustained.…”

Power-to-Process-Heat in Industrial Combined Heat and Power Plants – Integration of a Large-Scale Thermochemical Energy Storage

“…PCMSs have been a large research topic over the last 20 years, focusing on material characteristics and laboratory scale storages (e.g. [12][13][14]). Large problems, however, are posed by low thermal conductivity and flammability in organic PCMSs as well as instabilities like phase separation, subcooling and corrosion in inorganic PCMSs [15] [14].…”

“…[12][13][14]). Large problems, however, are posed by low thermal conductivity and flammability in organic PCMSs as well as instabilities like phase separation, subcooling and corrosion in inorganic PCMSs [15] [14]. Solid sensible heat storages that can be charged directly from solar power plants or wind farms have been heavily researched (e.g.…”