IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i23p7867-d686368.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Rapid Method for Low Temperature Microencapsulation of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) Using a Coiled Tube Ultraviolet Reactor

Author

Listed:
  • Jawaad A. Ansari

    (Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Refat Al-Shannaq

    (Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Jamal Kurdi

    (Engineering Technology-Chemical Processing, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Shaheen A. Al-Muhtaseb

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Charles A. Ikutegbe

    (Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Mohammed M. Farid

    (Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

Abstract

Microencapsulation of phase change materials (PCMs) remain a suitable option within building materials, as they contribute to the thermal mass and provide an energy buffer, an added benefit. This paper presents a novel method for the rapid fabrication of microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) at ambient conditions in a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) coiled tube ultraviolet (UV) reactor. The objective of this study was to optimize key parameters such as the product yield and quality of the as-prepared microcapsules. Rubitherm ® RT-21™ PCM was microencapsulated within shells of poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) through a suspension emulsion polymerization approach, where the crosslinking of polymers was driven by UV radiations with an appropriate photoinitiator. The characteristics of the resulting PCM microcapsules were found to be affected by the volumetric flow rate of the emulsion inside the coiled tube reactor. Higher volumetric flow rates led to higher PCM contents and higher microencapsulation efficiency, resulting in an average particle size of 6.5 µm. Furthermore, the effect of curing time on the PCM microcapsule properties was investigated. The optimum encapsulation yield, conversion, efficiency and PCM content were observed after 10 min of polymerization time. The thermal analysis indicated that the developed process had an efficiency of 85.8%, and the capsules were characterized with excellent thermal properties. Compared to the conventional thermal microencapsulation processes, the use of a coiled tube UV reactor with an appropriate photoinitiator enables the encapsulation of heat-sensitive PCMs at ambient conditions, and reduces the microencapsulation time dramatically. As a result, this novel microencapsulation approach can lead to a wider scope of PCM encapsulation and enable rapid, continuous and potentially large-scale industrial production of PCM microcapsules with low energy consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Jawaad A. Ansari & Refat Al-Shannaq & Jamal Kurdi & Shaheen A. Al-Muhtaseb & Charles A. Ikutegbe & Mohammed M. Farid, 2021. "A Rapid Method for Low Temperature Microencapsulation of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) Using a Coiled Tube Ultraviolet Reactor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:23:p:7867-:d:686368
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/23/7867/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/23/7867/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cabeza, L.F. & Castell, A. & Barreneche, C. & de Gracia, A. & Fernández, A.I., 2011. "Materials used as PCM in thermal energy storage in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1675-1695, April.
    2. Barzin, Reza & Chen, John J.J. & Young, Brent R. & Farid, Mohammed M., 2015. "Application of PCM underfloor heating in combination with PCM wallboards for space heating using price based control system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 39-48.
    3. Erik Schmerse & Charles A. Ikutegbe & Amar Auckaili & Mohammed M. Farid, 2020. "Using PCM in Two Proposed Residential Buildings in Christchurch, New Zealand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-25, November.
    4. Ikutegbe, Charles A. & Farid, Mohammed M., 2020. "Application of phase change material foam composites in the built environment: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    5. Jamekhorshid, A. & Sadrameli, S.M. & Farid, M., 2014. "A review of microencapsulation methods of phase change materials (PCMs) as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 531-542.
    6. Wang, Hao & Li, Yu & Zhao, Liang & Shi, Xinghong & Song, Guolin & Tang, Guoyi, 2018. "A facile approach to synthesize microencapsulated phase change materials embedded with silver nanoparicle for both thermal energy storage and antimicrobial purpose," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 1052-1059.
    7. Tyagi, V.V. & Kaushik, S.C. & Tyagi, S.K. & Akiyama, T., 2011. "Development of phase change materials based microencapsulated technology for buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 1373-1391, February.
    8. Al-Shannaq, Refat & Young, Brent & Farid, Mohammed, 2019. "Cold energy storage in a packed bed of novel graphite/PCM composite spheres," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 296-305.
    9. Al-Shannaq, Refat & Kurdi, Jamal & Al-Muhtaseb, Shaheen & Dickinson, Michelle & Farid, Mohammed, 2015. "Supercooling elimination of phase change materials (PCMs) microcapsules," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 654-662.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Emanuela Privitera & Riccardo Caponetto & Fabio Matera & Salvatore Vasta, 2022. "Impact of Geometry on a Thermal-Energy Storage Finned Tube during the Discharging Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Ahmed Elkhatat & Shaheen A. Al-Muhtaseb, 2023. "Combined “Renewable Energy–Thermal Energy Storage (RE–TES)” Systems: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-46, June.
    3. Ikutegbe, Charles A. & Al-Shannaq, Refat & Farid, Mohammed M., 2022. "Microencapsulation of low melting phase change materials for cold storage applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lamrani, B. & Johannes, K. & Kuznik, F., 2021. "Phase change materials integrated into building walls: An updated review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Ikutegbe, Charles A. & Farid, Mohammed M., 2020. "Application of phase change material foam composites in the built environment: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Drissi, Sarra & Ling, Tung-Chai & Mo, Kim Hung & Eddhahak, Anissa, 2019. "A review of microencapsulated and composite phase change materials: Alteration of strength and thermal properties of cement-based materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 467-484.
    4. Shafie-khah, M. & Kheradmand, M. & Javadi, S. & Azenha, M. & de Aguiar, J.L.B. & Castro-Gomes, J. & Siano, P. & Catalão, J.P.S., 2016. "Optimal behavior of responsive residential demand considering hybrid phase change materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 81-92.
    5. Amaral, C. & Vicente, R. & Marques, P.A.A.P. & Barros-Timmons, A., 2017. "Phase change materials and carbon nanostructures for thermal energy storage: A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1212-1228.
    6. Giro-Paloma, Jessica & Martínez, Mònica & Cabeza, Luisa F. & Fernández, A. Inés, 2016. "Types, methods, techniques, and applications for microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCM): A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1059-1075.
    7. Gohar Gholamibozanjani & Mohammed Farid, 2021. "A Critical Review on the Control Strategies Applied to PCM-Enhanced Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-39, March.
    8. Soares, N. & Bastos, J. & Pereira, L. Dias & Soares, A. & Amaral, A.R. & Asadi, E. & Rodrigues, E. & Lamas, F.B. & Monteiro, H. & Lopes, M.A.R. & Gaspar, A.R., 2017. "A review on current advances in the energy and environmental performance of buildings towards a more sustainable built environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 845-860.
    9. Dubey, Abhayjeet kumar & Sun, Jingyi & Choudhary, Tushar & Dash, Madhusmita & Rakshit, Dibakar & Ansari, M Zahid & Ramakrishna, Seeram & Liu, Yong & Nanda, Himansu Sekhar, 2023. "Emerging phase change materials with improved thermal efficiency for a clean and sustainable environment: An approach towards net zero," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    10. Chandel, S.S. & Agarwal, Tanya, 2017. "Review of current state of research on energy storage, toxicity, health hazards and commercialization of phase changing materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 581-596.
    11. Erik Schmerse & Charles A. Ikutegbe & Amar Auckaili & Mohammed M. Farid, 2020. "Using PCM in Two Proposed Residential Buildings in Christchurch, New Zealand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-25, November.
    12. Zeinelabdein, Rami & Omer, Siddig & Gan, Guohui, 2018. "Critical review of latent heat storage systems for free cooling in buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2843-2868.
    13. Kenisarin, Murat & Mahkamov, Khamid, 2016. "Passive thermal control in residential buildings using phase change materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 371-398.
    14. Zhang, Ying & Wang, Xiaodong & Wu, Dezhen, 2016. "Microencapsulation of n-dodecane into zirconia shell doped with rare earth: Design and synthesis of bifunctional microcapsules for photoluminescence enhancement and thermal energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 113-126.
    15. Jiang, Fuyun & Wang, Xiaodong & Wu, Dezhen, 2016. "Magnetic microencapsulated phase change materials with an organo-silica shell: Design, synthesis and application for electromagnetic shielding and thermal regulating polyimide films," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 225-239.
    16. Rostami, Sara & Afrand, Masoud & Shahsavar, Amin & Sheikholeslami, M. & Kalbasi, Rasool & Aghakhani, Saeed & Shadloo, Mostafa Safdari & Oztop, Hakan F., 2020. "A review of melting and freezing processes of PCM/nano-PCM and their application in energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    17. Manzano-Agugliaro, Francisco & Montoya, Francisco G. & Sabio-Ortega, Andrés & García-Cruz, Amós, 2015. "Review of bioclimatic architecture strategies for achieving thermal comfort," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 736-755.
    18. Beyne, W. & T'Jollyn, I. & Lecompte, S. & Cabeza, L.F. & De Paepe, M., 2023. "Standardised methods for the determination of key performance indicators for thermal energy storage heat exchangers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    19. Barzin, Reza & Chen, John J.J. & Young, Brent R. & Farid, Mohammed M., 2015. "Application of PCM energy storage in combination with night ventilation for space cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 412-421.
    20. Anisur, M.R. & Mahfuz, M.H. & Kibria, M.A. & Saidur, R. & Metselaar, I.H.S.C. & Mahlia, T.M.I., 2013. "Curbing global warming with phase change materials for energy storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 23-30.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:23:p:7867-:d:686368. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.