Phase change solar energy storage

Phase change materials (PCMs) are suitable for various solar energy systems for prolonged heat energy retaining, as solar radiation is sporadic. This literature review presents the application of the PCM in solar thermal power plants, solar desalination, solar cooker, solar air heater, and solar water heater.

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.

Phase change energy storage technology is based on phase change energy storage materials as the basis of high technology, phase change materials Phase change latent heat is large, much larger than the apparent heat energy storage density.

The Tibet Solar Energy Research and Demonstration Center, in cooperation with Central China Normal University, has successfully developed solar energy high energy storage density phase change materials by mixing inorganic water-containing salt materials such as manganese nitrate and borax with nucleating agents in moderate proportions.

1. Introduction Phase change energy storage materials (PCESM) refer to compounds capable of efficiently storing and releasing a substantial quantity of thermal energy during the phase transition process.

An effective method of storing thermal energy from solar is through the use of phase change materials (PCMs). PCMs are isothermal in nature, and thus offer higher density energy storage and the ability to operate in a variable range of temperature conditions.