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Amplified charge and discharge rates in phase change materials for energy storage using spatially-enhanced thermal conductivity

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  • Wei, Lien Chin
  • Malen, Jonathan A.

Abstract

Composites made with high thermal conductivity meshes embedded in phase change materials (PCMs) increase charge/discharge rates of latent heat energy storage systems. We study the benefits of spatially-dependent enhancements to thermal conductivity on the charge/discharge rates of PCMs in both one-dimensional Cartesian and one-dimensional cylindrical coordinates. Our nondimensionalized quasi-steady (Stefan number≲0.1) solution indicates that the average charge (discharge) rate in a spatially-enhanced PCM outperforms the uniformly-enhanced case by maximizing the enhancement near the heat source and therein reducing the time averaged thermal resistance to melting (solidifying). Relative to a uniformly-enhanced thermal conductivity, the optimal charge/discharge rate enhancement is a modest 12% in one-dimensional Cartesian coordinates but as high as 140% in one-dimensional cylindrical coordinates. Our analytical solutions are a design guide for graded mesh structures that can be realized by advanced fabrication techniques such as additive manufacturing and applied in applications ranging from telecommunications to buildings, where PCMs are employed to harness rapidly varying energy sources.

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  • Wei, Lien Chin & Malen, Jonathan A., 2016. "Amplified charge and discharge rates in phase change materials for energy storage using spatially-enhanced thermal conductivity," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 224-231.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:181:y:2016:i:c:p:224-231
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.08.020
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