DefinePK

Abstract

Thermal energy storage using a phase change materials is an important concept for storing energy during the sunshine hour and using the same energy during off sunshine hour. The latent thermal energy storage employing a Phase Change Material (PCM) is the most effective way of the thermal energy storage due to its advantages of high energy storage density and its isothermal operating characteristics during solidification and melting processes. The main objective of this work is to synthesize thermal energy storage and to evaluate thermal performance of encapsulated D-Sorbitol as PCM with various encapsulation materials (Aluminium, Brass and Copper). The solar energy collected by the Parabolic Trough Collector is used to heat the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). When HTF attains the equilibrium temperature at all points then the experimentation has been carried out in the thermal energy storage system with various encapsulation materials like Aluminium, Brass and Copper. The time taken for the preset temperature change in PCM and HTF was recorded during charging and discharging process. The results are showed that the time taken for phase change process in copper encapsulated balls is much faster than aluminium and brass. The average heat transfer rate in HTF during charging process by the use of copper encapsulated balls is 76.025 kW which is 33% and 8.8% higher than brass and aluminium respectively. Comparing all the results and cost per kW of energy transfer in all encapsulated materials, brass encapsulated PCM balls seems to be a good option for thermal energy storage by using D-Sorbitol as PCM.