Abstract

Thermal energy storage and temperature stabilization is very important in many engineering applications. There are three kinds of thermal energy storage: sensible heat storage, latent heat storage and reversible chemical reaction heat storage. Phase change materials (PCM) absorb, store and release large amounts of energy in the form of latent heat, at constant temperature, called the transition temperature. The amount of heat stored during the heating of any material is much less than its phase transition, which additionally provides temperature stabilization. According to phase change behavior, PCMs can be generally divided into four categories: solid-solid, solid-liquid, solid-gas and liquid-gas PCMs. According to the solid-liquid type of PCMs, PCMs can be divided into organic PCMs, inorganic PCMs and eutectic. Many interesting and innovative applications could be found for phase change materials in an increasingly growing field, which is protection of the environment through respect and energy saving, use of renewable energy sources, especially solar, raising the efficiency of equipment and technologies in the industry, construction, agriculture, transport and communication. Main potential possibilities of using PCM materials are as follows: accumulation heat from the solar collectors and other renewable sources, heat magazines for power consumption during the peak period, the accumulation of heat in structural elements of buildings, the food industry and other processes technology for short-term, but significant peak demand of energy, the transport and storage of foodstuffs (hot or cold), medical substances, blood, organs for transplantation, temperature stabilization of electronic systems, the cooling systems of internal combustion engines, stabilization of the batteries temperature in electrical vehicles and providing thermal comfort in cabins of vehicles. Therefore the applications of the PCM are of promising perspectives, especially in some climate regions. Additionally some material could be modified, for example by using different paraffin, the melting temperature of PCM can be adjusted. In the present paper, the experience of the materials preparation and use for the specific applications and the results of its thermophysical properties examination are presented.

Authors (4)