Latent heat storage with PCM/graphite matrix composite

Latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) technologies are considered to be a significant potential for sustainable and clean environmental and energy requirements. in LHTES systems, melting/solidification behavior affects storage performance. Within the scope of this thesis, melting and solidification behaviors of a thermal energy storage system (TES) consisting of a phase change material (PCM)-graphite matrix with an annular geometry are experimentally investigated. Bulk densities (0 g/l, 25 g/l, 50 g/l, and 75 g/l), inlet fluid temperatures (melting: 75°C, 80°C, and 85°C; solidification: 20°C, 25°C, and 30°C), and different volumetric flowrates (melting: 100 l/h, 190 l/h and 280 l/h; solidification: 190 l/h) are working parameters examined. Paraffin is used as PCM with a phase change temperature range of 49-56°C. The thermal performance of LHTES units with different configurations is comparatively presented in terms of local temperature profiles, melting/solidification behavior, melting/solidification durations, and energy storage efficiency. The results indicate that PCM/graphite matrix composite configurations have significant potential for thermal energy storage and retrieval.