Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Experimental Methods for Investigation of Shape Memory Based Elastocaloric Cooling Processes and Model Validation
Published on: May 2, 2016
Experimental Study of an Enhanced Phase Change Material of Paraffin/Expanded Graphite/Nano-Metal Particles for a
Chuyuan Ma1, Ying Zhang1, Xianfeng Chen1
1School of Safety Science and Emergency Management, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China.
Abstract:
A composite phase change material (PCM) was prepared by incorporating paraffin (PA) with expanded graphite (EG) and nano-metal particles to improve the thermal conductivity and reduce the leakage performance of PA once it melts and, consequently, develop a more efficient PCM for a personal phase change cooling system. A series of experiments was carried out by a scanning electron microscope, a differential scanning calorimeter, a hot-disk thermal analyzer, and leakage tests on the composite PCM with various mass fractions of EG and metals (i.e., Cu, Al, Ni, and Fe). Through comprehensive consideration of the thermal conductivity, leakage, and homogeneity, a composite PCM with the optimal proportion (PA-EG11%-Cu1.9%) was screened out. Its thermal conductivity was significantly improved nine times, while the phase change enthalpy showed a minimal decrease. In addition, the relationships of the composite PCM with its temperature and density were systematically investigated. The experimental results are important for determining the proper package density of PCM for application into a personal cooling system because its weight is crucial for the system design and benefits the performance comparison of various PCMs prepared under various conditions. Lastly, the heat storage efficiency of the PA-EG-Cu material was investigated using heat storage tests. Cooling performance clearly improved compared to the PCM without nano-particles added.
More Related Videos
10:36Author Spotlight: Optimization of Airflow Velocities in Battery Cooling Systems for Enhanced Thermal Performance and Reduced Energy Consumption
Published on: November 3, 2023
07:18Experimental System of Solar Adsorption Refrigeration with Concentrated Collector
Published on: October 18, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:20Mechanisms of Heat Transfer II
01:19Mechanism of heat transfer
01:14Mechanisms of Heat Transfer
Conduction, accounting for approximately 3% of body heat loss at rest, is the process of exchanging heat between molecules of two materials in direct contact. This can result in both heat loss and gain. For instance, when the body is submerged in water, which conducts heat 20 times more effectively than air, it can either lose or gain significant...