Thermal energy storage with phase change materials

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.

What are thermal energy storage technologies?

Thermal energy storage technologies utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) that melt in the intermediate temperature range, between 100 and 220 °C, have the potential to mitigate the intermittency issues of wind and solar energy. This technology can take thermal or electrical energy from renewable sources and store it in the form of heat.

Why are phase change materials difficult to design?

Phase change materials (PCMs), which are commonly used in thermal energy storage applications, are difficult to design because they require excellent energy density and thermal transport, both of which are difficult to predict from simple physics-based models.

What are phase change materials (PCMs)?

Phase change materials (PCMs) used for the storage of thermal energy as sensible and latent heat are an important class of modern materials which substantially contribute to the efficient use and conservation of waste heat and solar energy.

Can phase change materials enhance hot-spot thermal management?

Hot-spot thermal management by phase change materials enhanced by spatially graded metal meshes. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. , 119153. 59. Moon, H., Miljkovic, N., and King, W.P. (2020). High power density thermal energy storage using additively manufactured heat exchangers and phase change material.

Can phase change materials mitigate intermittency issues of wind and solar energy?

Article link copied! Thermal energy storage technologies utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) that melt in the intermediate temperature range, between 100 and 220 °C, have the potential to mitigate the intermittency issues of wind and solar energy.