Assessment of Low-Temperature Pcm Emulsions as TES
Abstract
The increasing integration of renewable energies is driving research into phase change materials (PCMs) for efficient energy storage. PCM emulsions are a promising solution that combines latent storage with ease of fluid circulation. They facilitate integration into conventional tanks. This study evaluates two low-temperature PCM emulsions for cooling applications: a commercial emulsion (PCE18) containing 50 wt% PCM, and a novel, environmentally friendly Pickering PCM emulsion developed in-house with a 50 v/v% concentration. Their thermophysical (storage capacity, hysteresis, thermal conductivity) and rheological properties (viscosity, stability) have been characterized. The results show similar energy storage capacities, with a reduced level of hysteresis, but different operating temperature ranges. Both emulsions show promising behavior according to their use in the agitated tank concept and show physical stability. The final selection for practical applications will depend on the specific operational requirements and system design.
Keywords
Thermal Energy Storage, Phase Change Materials, PCM slurries, PCM emulsions