Thermophysical Characterization of Paraffins versus Temperature for Thermal Energy Storage

• Published in: Buildings (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 877
• Main Authors: Kraiem, Manel, Karkri, Mustapha, Fois, Magali, Sobolciak, Patrik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.04.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Aluminum; Calorimetry; Chemical Sciences; Differential scanning calorimetry; Electric properties; Energy consumption; Energy storage; Experimental methods; Force and energy; Heat; Heat storage; Latent heat; latent heat storage; Liquid phases; Material chemistry; Material properties; Mechanical properties; Optical properties; Paraffins; Petroleum industry; Phase change materials; Phase transitions; Research methodology; Solid phases; Solidification; Solids; solid–liquid phase change; Specific heat; Stability analysis; Storage systems; Technology application; Temperature; Thermal energy; Thermal expansion; Thermal stability; Thermodynamic properties; Thermogravimetric analysis; Thermophysical properties; France; United Kingdom; United States > US
• ISSN: 2075-5309; 2075-5309
• DOI: 10.3390/buildings13040877

Latent heat storage systems (LHSS), using solid–liquid phase change materials (PCMs), are attracting growing interest in many applications. The determination of the thermophysical properties of PCMs is crucial for selecting the appropriate material for an LHSS and for predicting the thermal behavior of the PCM. In this context, the thermophysical characterization of four paraffins (RT21, RT27, RT35HC, RT50) at different temperatures, including the solid and liquid phases, is conducted in this investigation. This work is part of a strategic technological brick in the CERTES laboratory of the Paris Est University to build a database for phase change material properties. It contains the measurements of the thermophysical, optical and mechanical properties. It will serve as input for the numerical simulations to study the behavior of PCMs in LHSS. The temperatures and the latent heats of the phase transitions as well as the thermal dependence of the specific heat of the paraffins were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the DSC measurements under successive thermal cycles revealed good reliability of the paraffins. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed, and the results highlighted the thermal stability of the paraffins. Moreover, the evolutions of the thermal conductivities and diffusivities with temperature were measured simultaneously using the hot disk method. A discontinuity of the thermal conductivities was observed near the melting temperatures. Furthermore, the measurements of the densities of the paraffins at different temperatures were carried out. The volume changes and the coefficients of thermal expansion were assessed. The obtained outcomes of this study were compared with the available bibliographical data.