Phase change materials (PCMs) are an attractive solution for reducing energy usage because of their efficient latent heat storage abilities. This paper examined chemical and physical properties of micro-PCMs before and after their integration with concrete samples. A Thermal Constants Analyser (TPS) measured the thermal conductivity of the PCM-concrete using the transient plane source (TPS) method. Results showed that overall, the thermal conductivity of the concrete was unchanged after the ...
The fatty acid stearic acid has been widely studied for its use in thermal energy storage applications as a phase change material (PCM). Stearic acid shows promise for this application because of its high volumetric storage density and its favorable thermal properties; however, two properties of stearic acid limit its use as a PCM: its low thermal conductivity and its propensity to leak liquid during the phase change process. This ...
A series of chalcogenide glasses were prepared by substituting In into Se80Te20 to replace Te. The transient plane source (TPS) technique was then used to measure the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat of the glass samples. It was determined that the substitution of Te with In caused the thermal conductivity of the sample to increase, although specific heat values remained nearly constant. Specific heat was also determined ...
Through the dispersion of graphite nanoplatelets in a silicone matrix and mechanical mixing, graphite nanoplatelet/silicone composites were prepared. These composites were subsequently analyzed by the transient plane source (TPS) technique in order to determine thermal conductivity. DSC and XRD were used to further characterize the composites....
Sebacic acid (SA) can be absorbed into the pores of expanded graphite (EG) to form a SA/EG composite phase change material (PCM). There is no chemical interaction between the SA and EG, they are merely integrated. The optimal amount of SA was found to be 85 wt.% of the total mixture. The 85 wt.% composite had a phase change temperature of ~ 128°C, with a latent heat of ~ 187 J/g. The thermal ...