Characterization and development of PCM-based thermal energy storage systems

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Global demand for energy consumption has shown a rapid growth in recent years and as per recent estimates, by 2040, this demand is expected to increase by 30%. Despite a substantial advancement of renewable technologies, fossil fuels have been predicted to remain the primary energy source to meet this energy demand, which is detrimental for the climate and environment. Thermal energy storage is a key component to mitigate this effect through energy conservation and increased integration of renewable resources. It allows to store waste heat produced in industrial processes (mainly from fossil resources), as well as thermal energy from renewable sources such as solar, that can then be used later on demand. Hence, the enhanced storage capacity, efficient heat transfer in and out of the storage medium and compatibility are of utmost importance and crucial for the practical implementation of thermal storage systems. The latent-heat thermal storage has several key advantages over the conventional sensible-heat storage, making it a more suitable storage option. However, efforts to advance their thermal performance are hampered by a lack of understanding of fundamental thermo-fluid processes particularly during the phase transition. A better knowledge and understanding of the underlying physical processes that govern the heat transfer process is necessary for the technological advancement and wide-scale implementation/adaptation. The proposed research program is aimed at advancing the scientific knowledge of the fundamental heat transfer process during the phase transition. The long-term objectives of this research program are to develop innovative and efficient thermal storage systems for practical engineering applications for energy conservation and sustainability. The short-term objectives of the proposed research program are, 1) to conduct a detailed characterization of the thermal field and flow field during the phase change subjected to variable geometric parameters, 2) to identify and investigate the physical mechanisms that influence the heat transfer process and, 3) to begin the implementation of this knowledge in practical applications. The proposed research will directly contribute to the ongoing global efforts towards energy conservation and sustainability. It will lead to a better understanding of the physical mechanisms or parameters that influence heat transfer process during the phase change. This advanced knowledge will then lead to the development of novel high efficiency thermal storage systems for applications in various sectors. This will result in environmental and economical benefits to society due to reduced consumption of energy from fossil-based resources as well as a higher integration of thermal systems using renewable energy, both of which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.