Thermal energy storage in phase change materials for cooling applications

Cooling demand is increased with increasing temperatures as a result of global warming; hence increasing the energy demand even more. In this work, phase change materials (PCM) suitable for thermal energy storage cooling applications are developed. For this purose binary mixtures of Dodecane, Tridecane, Tetradecane and Pentadecan are chosen and five different compositions of each mixture are prepared. Experimental results show that melting/freezing temperatures of the prepared samples are in the range of -120C to 100C. The mixtures changing phase in this interval can be used in cooling applications like refrigerators, transportation containers and boxes. Heating and cooling curves and heat of fusion of these mixtures are determined by experimental methods. Phase diagrams of the mixtures drawn based on experimental results are analized to determine thermal behavior of the PCMs. Results show that Tridecane(1)-Dodecane(2), Tridecane(1)-Tetradecane(2), Tridecane(1)-Pentadecane(2), Tetradecane(1)-Dodecane(2), Tetradecane(1)-Pentadecane(2) mixtures determined in this study can be recommended as PCMs for cooling applications.