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Study on the Solidification and Heat Release Characteristics of Flexible Heat Storage Filled with PCM Composite

Author

Listed:
  • Tielei Yan

    (State Power Investment Corporation Xinjiang Energy and Chemical Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830013, China)

  • Gang Wang

    (School of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi 830023, China)

  • Dong Zhang

    (School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Changxin Qi

    (School of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi 830023, China)

  • Shuangshuang Zhang

    (School of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi 830023, China)

  • Peiqing Li

    (School of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi 830023, China)

  • Gaosheng Wei

    (School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) have significant potential for utilization due to their high energy storage density and excellent safety in energy storage. In this research, a flexible heat storage device using the stable supercooling of sodium acetate trihydrate composite is developed, enabling on-demand heat release through controlled solidification initiation. The solidification and heat release characteristics are investigated in experiments. The results indicate that the heat release characteristics of this heat storage device are closely linked to the crystallization process of the PCM. During the experiment, based on whether external intervention was needed for the solidification process, the PCM manifested two separate solidification modes—specifically, spontaneous self-solidification and triggered-solidification. Meanwhile, the heat release rates, temperature changes, and crystal morphologies were observed in the two solidification modes. Compared with spontaneous self-solidification, triggered-solidification achieved a higher peak surface temperature (53.6 °C vs. 46.2 °C) and reached 45 °C significantly faster (5 min vs. 15 min). Spontaneous self-solidification exhibited slower, uncontrollable heat release with dendritic crystals, while triggered-solidification provided rapid, controllable heat release with dense filamentous crystals. This controllable switching between modes offers key practical advantages, allowing the device to provide either rapid, high-power heat discharge or slower, sustained release as required by the application. According to the crystal solidification theory, the different supercooling degrees are the main reasons for the two solidification modes exhibiting different solidification characteristics. During solidification, the growth rate of SAT crystals exhibits substantial disparities across diverse experiments. In this research, the maximum axial growth rate is 2564 μm/s, and the maximum radial growth rate is 167 μm/s.

Suggested Citation

  • Tielei Yan & Gang Wang & Dong Zhang & Changxin Qi & Shuangshuang Zhang & Peiqing Li & Gaosheng Wei, 2025. "Study on the Solidification and Heat Release Characteristics of Flexible Heat Storage Filled with PCM Composite," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3760-:d:1702542
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Englmair, Gerald & Moser, Christoph & Furbo, Simon & Dannemand, Mark & Fan, Jianhua, 2018. "Design and functionality of a segmented heat-storage prototype utilizing stable supercooling of sodium acetate trihydrate in a solar heating system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 522-534.
    2. Yasmine Lalau & Sacha Rigal & Jean-Pierre Bédécarrats & Didier Haillot, 2024. "Latent Thermal Energy Storage System for Heat Recovery between 120 and 150 °C: Material Stability and Corrosion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Zhou, Guobing & Zhu, Maochuan & Xiang, Yutong, 2018. "Effect of percussion vibration on solidification of supercooled salt hydrate PCM in thermal storage unit," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 537-544.
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