Energy storage capsule

Are PCM microcapsules suitable for thermal energy storage?

In this paper, a comprehensive review has been carried out on PCM microcapsules for thermal energy storage. Five aspects have been discussed in this review: classification of PCMs, encapsulation shell materials, microencapsulation techniques, PCM microcapsules’ characterizations, and thermal applications.

What is a spherical capsule filled with?

In Case A, the spherical capsule is filled with pure PCM. During the period from 0 to 1600 s, the melting process is in stage (I). The heat transfer inside the spherical capsule is governed by the thermal conduction of pure PCM.

Which spherical capsule is the most cost-effective?

Conclusion The current work evaluated and optimized the geometry and usage of porous media inside spherical capsules. Case F, which features a spherical capsule with a copper foam geometric shape in the form of a high cone, presents the most cost-effective option, effectively balancing melting rate and material cost among Case A-F.

Are spherical microcapsules good thermal energy storage and photoluminescence?

These 1.5–2 μ m spherical microcapsules showed the characteristics of thermal energy storage and photoluminescence. Additionally, the synthesized microcapsules possessed good thermal reliability, with the thermal property remaining almost unchanged after 100 thermal cycles.

How is heat transferred inside a spherical capsule?

The heat transfer inside the spherical capsule is governed by the thermal conduction of pure PCM. As the average melting fraction (B ( T )avg) increases, natural convection starts to intensify, resulting in an accelerated melting rate. At this stage (II), natural convection becomes the dominant mode of heat transfer within the capsule.

Is a partially filled spherical capsule effective?

The economic assessment of these initial cases and the optimized cases is also conducted to evaluate the economic feasibility. The numerical results indicate the partially filled strategy is effective and the optimal design is the spherical capsule with a copper foam geometric shape that resembles a high cone with a prominent center.