Thermal conductivity measurements of phase change materials for thermal storage applications

摘要

Sun's rays are vast yet not fully exploited source for our growing energy needs. Majority of solar energy is lost to heat in conventional energy harnessing methods. Improvements can be made by collecting latent heat and converting it into other forms of energy later with the help of so called latent heat thermal storage (LHTES) systems. Phase change materials (PCM) are considered prime candidates for LHTES applications. Paraffins being the well-known PCMs have many desirable thermal and chemical properties. These include good chemical stability with low vapor pressure in the melt, high melting enthalpies, and negligible hysteresis in cooling and heating cycles. High thermal conductivity is among important characteristics for the LHTES. In this paper we present the thermal conductivity data for commercially important paraffin wax. Instrumental aspects of the thermal conductivity measurements are also discussed.