Characterization and development of PCM-based thermal energy storage systems

近年来，全球能源消费需求呈现快速增长，根据最近的估计，到2040年，这一需求预计将增长30%。尽管可再生技术有了很大的进步，但化石燃料预计仍将是满足这种对气候和环境不利的能源需求的主要能源。热能储存是通过节约能源和加强整合可再生资源来缓解这一影响的关键组成部分。它允许储存工业过程中产生的余热(主要来自化石资源)，以及来自可再生能源(如太阳能)的热能，这些热能随后可以按需使用。因此，提高蓄热系统的存储容量、有效的换热和换热以及系统的兼容性对蓄热系统的实际应用至关重要。与传统的显热蓄热相比，潜热蓄热具有几个关键的优点，使其成为一种更适合的蓄热方案。然而，由于缺乏对基本热流体过程的了解，特别是在相变过程中，提高其热性能的努力受到阻碍。更好地了解和理解控制热传递过程的基本物理过程是技术进步和大规模实施/适应所必需的。*拟议的研究计划旨在促进对相变过程中基本热传递过程的科学认识。这一研究计划的长期目标是为实际工程应用开发创新和高效的蓄热系统，以实现节能和可持续发展。该研究计划的短期目标是：1)对几何参数可变的相变过程中的热场和流场进行详细的表征；2)识别和研究影响热传递过程的物理机制；3)开始将这一知识应用于实际应用中。*拟议的研究将直接有助于正在进行的全球节能和可持续发展努力。这将有助于更好地理解相变过程中影响换热过程的物理机制或参数。这种先进的知识将导致开发用于不同部门的新型高效热存储系统。这将给社会带来环境和经济利益，因为减少了化石资源的能源消耗，以及利用可再生能源的热力系统的更高集成度，这两者都将减少温室气体排放。

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.