Experimental study on solar energy storage using phase change materials in spherical shell storage system

Abstract

Storing of available energy for later use is a necessity in the present world, one such method is using Phase Change Materials (PCMs). PCMs need a heat transfer medium to transfer the energy from the source to the PCM. In this present work spherical balls are used to store the PCM and water is used as a heat transfer fluid. Paraffin wax (PW) and Palmitic acid (PA) and (40- 60% PW-PA) eutectic mixture are used as PCMs. The solidification process is carried out in three different ways as cold water, hot water and natural solidification without water. In case of hot water and natural solidification processes the three materials posses the stable reduction. In cold water solidification process base materials have sudden drop in temperature where as the eutectic mixture has gradual change.