Enhancing Heat Storage Capacity: Nanoparticle and Shape Optimization for PCM Systems

Abstract

Phase change material (PCM)-based heat storage systems utilize the absorption or release of latent heat during a phase change of the storage material to store thermal energy. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these systems is restricted by the shape and structure of their confinement, as well as the heat conductivity of the storage material. This work investigates a novel method to enhance the effectiveness of PCM systems by concurrently utilizing two techniques: the inclusion of nanoparticles and the alteration of the system's geometry. Introducing nanoparticles enhances the thermal conductivity of the storage medium while altering the shape, which improves heat transfer efficiency by adjusting the surface area available for heat exchange. RT-35 was tested for use in latent heat thermal energy storage systems for space heating and cooling. With a melting point of 35°C, RT-35 was chosen to moderate building temperatures by storing and releasing thermal energy for space heating and cooling. The results indicate that using nanoparticles and adjusting shape can greatly enhance the effectiveness of PCM systems. By incorporating Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, the melting time of the PCM was reduced by 20% compared to the pure PCM, and it is more efficient than the best case of shape modification. These findings indicate that including nanoparticles and modifying the shape are effective methods to improve the performance of heat storage devices. This technology's potential surpasses this study's limits and can be utilized in diverse applications, including solar thermal energy storage, district heating and cooling, and industrial process heat.