Journal Published Online: 17 March 2021
Volume 10, Issue 1

A Quantitative Approach for Thermal Characterization of Phase Change Materials

CODEN: MPCACD

Abstract

A quantitative method for the calculation of phase change parameters of salt-based phase change materials (PCMs) has been proposed. This technique involves the estimation of mold-salt interfacial heat flux by solving Fourier’s law of heat conduction within the salt and using it for the calculation of phase change enthalpy of salt PCMs. Radial heat transfer was ensured by keeping the length to diameter (L/D) ratio of the mold equal to 5. The proposed method eliminates any drawbacks involved with sample size, reference material, the baseline fitting calculations, and the errors introduced due to the selection of solidification points. Pure salt PCMs such as potassium nitrate (KNO3), sodium nitrate (NaNO3), and solar salt mixture (60 wt. % NaNO3 + 40 wt. % KNO3) were used for validation of this technique. The thermal behaviors of the salt and the mold during solidification of the salt sample were analyzed, and solidification characteristics such as cooling rate, solidification time, and phase change enthalpy of PCMs were determined.

Author Information

Agarwala, Swati
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Mangalore, India
Narayan Prabhu, K.
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Mangalore, India
Pages: 7
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: MPC20200031
ISSN: 2379-1365
DOI: 10.1520/MPC20200031