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Emulsification of thermal energy storage materials in an immiscible fluid
Author(s) -
Cease Michael E.,
White Donald H.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.4440070203
Subject(s) - latent heat , thermal energy storage , heat transfer , thermodynamics , heat exchanger , mixing (physics) , emulsion , materials science , energy storage , heat transfer coefficient , phase change material , sensible heat , thermal , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Abstract The problems of thermal energy storage are of major importance in the development of intermittent energy sources and the efficient usage of conventional energy supplies. Utilization of latent heat materials for thermal energy storage has been plagued by the build‐up of solids on cooling surfaces and the resulting low heat transfer rates. A novel system has been investigated in order to alleviate these difficulties. Small droplets of latent heat material were suspended in an immiscible heat transfer fluid to form an emulsion. The generation of stable emulsions is an empirical art, for which the selection of surface‐active agents and the method of mixing play the key roles. A total of 42 latent heat storage emulsion samples were prepared using a diphenyl compound as the organic phase. Most of the samples were prepared using a high speed mixing apparatus. Several emulsified blends exhibited favourable prolonged storage and cycling behaviour. Estimates based on apparent viscosity measurements indicated that high rates of heat transfer could be obtained with this system. Assuming turbulent flow conditions and 60 per cent salt loading, a value for the mean film coefficient of heat transfer was calculated to be about 1045 J/m 2 s °C. The concept offers potentially large heat exchanger cost reductions, while retaining 60 per cent of the volume savings attainable in latent heat systems.