Study on the thermal storage characteristics of phase change energy storage device

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.

Does a phase-change energy storage unit have heat transfer characteristics?

The objective of the study was to investigate the heat transfer characteristics of a phase-change energy storage unit for thermal management. Considering the conduction in the solid and natural convection in the liquid, a physical and mathematical model for heat transfer was formulated.

Why is thermal conductivity important for phase change energy storage systems?

Thermal conductivity is a key parameter for phase change energy storage systems to measure how fast or slow the energy is transferred. Many researchers in China and abroad have done a lot of work on improving the thermal conductivity of phase change materials.

Is there a thermal shortage in phase-change materials?

However, the intrinsically low thermal conductivity of phase-change materials (PCMs) is the major shortage, leading to low energy charging and discharging rate. An experimental setup was designed to investigate the dynamic thermal behavior of a shell-and-tube latent heat thermal storage unit.

What factors affect the thermal performance of energy storage units?

The time and space movement of the phase front, the temperature distribution, and the heat dissipation rate have been analyzed based on the model. The influence of the unit geometry, heat source location, and types of phase-change materials on the thermal performance of the energy storage unit were investigated.

Does a passive battery thermal management system work with phase change materials?

Performance investigation of a passive battery thermal management system applied with phase change material [J] Two-dimensional materials and their derivatives for high performance phase change materials: emerging trends and challenges [J]