Advanced strategies for energy conversion efficiency enhancement using engineered PCM

本研究计划将研究工程相变材料（PCM）在能量转换装置热管理中的应用。最近的评估显示，加拿大正在以比世界上大多数地区更快的速度变暖，主要原因是温室气体（GHG）的排放。2015年，交通、建筑和电力行业的温室气体排放量约占加拿大温室气体总排放量的一半。因此，为了减少温室气体排放总量，这些部门对能源转换效率有巨大的需求。***目前的研究旨在通过采用先进的工程PCM来加强热管理系统，以解决交通和电力部门的温室气体排放源。该研究计划包括数值和实验工作，将分两个阶段进行。在研究的第一阶段，利用热导率分析仪、x射线衍射和拉曼光谱等各种设备对纳米增强相变材料（NePCM）进行了表征。***在第二阶段，通过不同的实验装置研究这些材料在电池模块和光伏电池热管理中的有效性。其中包括一个最先进的冷却/加热风洞，一个全自动电池测试器和一个红外太阳能模拟器。该系统将用于在加拿大常见的低温和不同空气速度下对电池模块和光伏电池进行室内测试。将调查这些材料对系统性能的短期影响，以及它们对全球环境的长期影响。***当前项目第一阶段的结果将提高对纳米粒子网络对基于PCM的热物理性质影响的理解。这也将拓宽人们对低温凝固对NePCM导热性增强的影响的认识。第二阶段的完成将为先进的基于pcm的热管理系统的设计和控制策略的建立提供良好的能力。结果将进一步帮助确定哪些方面和特性需要重新研究和改变，以实现基于pcm的热管理系统在寒冷气候条件下的最佳性能。***提出的研究方案为电池和光伏电池热管理中PCM最持久的低导热问题提供了解决方案。此外，它还开发了新的知识，为碳基NePCM的高效合成和这些环保技术在加拿大气候中的广泛应用奠定了基础。这项工作为加拿大的汽车、环境和可再生能源行业提供了高素质人才的培训。

This research program will examine the application of engineered phase change materials (PCM) in the thermal management of energy conversion devices. Recent assessments show that Canada is warming at a faster rate than most regions in the world mainly due to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The transportation, building and electricity sectors were responsible for about half of Canada's total GHG emission in 2015. Therefore, there is a huge demand on energy conversion efficiency in these sectors in order to reduce the total GHG emission.***The current research aims to tackle the sources of GHG emission in transportation and electricity sectors by enhancing thermal management systems through employing advanced engineered PCM. This research program includes numerical and experimental works that will be performed on two phases. In the first phase of investigations, various equipment such as thermal conductivity analyzer, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy are employed to characterize the nano-enhanced phase change materials (NePCM).***In the second phase, the effectiveness of these materials in the thermal management of battery modules and photovoltaic (PV) cells is investigated through different experimental setups. These consist of a state-of-the-art cooling/heating wind tunnel, a fully automated battery tester and an infrared solar simulator. This system will be utilized to perform indoor tests on the battery modules and PV-cells under cold temperatures and different air velocities that are common in Canada. The short-term effects of these materials on the system performance, as well as their long-term effects on the global environment will be investigated. ***The results of the first phase of the current program will improve the understanding of the effects of nanoparticle networks on the thermophysical properties of the based PCM. It will also broaden the knowledge on the effects of sub-zero temperature solidification on the thermal conductivity enhancement of NePCM. Completion of the second phase will provide sound capability in the establishment of design and control strategies for the advanced PCM-based thermal management systems. The results will further assist to identify which aspects and properties need to be reinvestigated and altered to achieve the optimal performance of PCM-based thermal management systems in cold climate conditions.***The research program proposed provides a solution to the most persistent low thermal conductivity problem of PCM in thermal management of batteries and PV cells. Additionally, it develops new knowledge that establishes the foundations for the highly efficient synthesis of carbon-based NePCM and the wide application of these environmental-friendly technologies in the Canadian climate. This work offers training of highly qualified personnel which will benefit the automotive, environmental and renewable energy industries in Canada.