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Thermal Energy Storage Using a Hybrid Composite Based on Technical-Grade Paraffin-AP25 Wax as a Phase Change Material
Hossam A Nabwey1,2, Maha A Tony2,3
1Department of Mathematics, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 14, 2023
Summary
This study enhances thermal energy storage (TES) using paraffin-AP25 phase change material (PCM) with waste-derived nanoparticles. The novel hybrid composite PCM shows improved thermal properties and a 64% increase in system efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Thermal energy storage (TES) is crucial for managing energy supply and demand mismatches.
- Phase change materials (PCMs) are effective for TES but often suffer from low thermal conductivity.
- Paraffin-AP25 (AP25 wax) exhibits slow thermal response due to low thermal conductivity, limiting its applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, cost-effective PCM system using waste materials to enhance thermal properties.
- To investigate the charging (melting) and discharging (solidification) behavior of a modified PCM.
- To improve the thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity of paraffin-AP25 wax.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a hybrid composite PCM by incorporating magnetite nanoparticles, derived from waste streams (aluminum and silicon), into paraffin-AP25 wax via ultrasonic dispersion.
- Characterized the composite using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD).
- Evaluated the performance of the composite PCM with varying mass fractions (1-10 wt%) in terms of latent heat storage capacity and overall system efficiency.
Main Results:
- The synthesized hybrid composite PCM demonstrated enhanced thermal properties compared to pure paraffin-AP25 wax.
- Latent heat storage capacity of the PCM was improved by 8% with the addition of the hybrid composite.
- A significant increase of 64% in overall system efficiency was achieved with an 8% mass fraction of the hybrid composite.
Conclusions:
- The novel PCM system utilizing waste-derived nanoparticles offers an economical and efficient solution for thermal energy storage.
- The enhanced thermal conductivity and storage capacity of the hybrid composite PCM make it suitable for broader thermal applications.
- This research highlights the potential of repurposing waste materials to create advanced energy storage solutions.
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