Thermal energy storage composites with preformed expanded graphite matrix and paraffin wax for long-term cycling stability and tailored thermal properties

Chakraborty, Anirban; Noh, Juran; Mach, Robert; Shamberger, Patrick; Yu, Choongho

doi:10.1016/j.est.2022.104856

Thermal energy storage composites with preformed expanded graphite matrix and paraffin wax for long-term cycling stability and tailored thermal properties

Journal Article · Wed May 18 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Journal of Energy Storage

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.104856· OSTI ID:1977116

Chakraborty, Anirban ^[1]; Noh, Juran ^[2]; Mach, Robert ^[2]; Shamberger, Patrick ^[2]; Yu, Choongho ^[2]

Texas A & M University, College Station, TX (United States); OSTI
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX (United States)

Harvesting solar energy, preventing hot spots in electronics, transport of temperature-sensitive materials, and capture and repurposing of thermal energy require a latent heat thermal energy storage (TES) system to store/discharge heat repeatedly. For the practical application of phase change material (PCM) composites within TES systems, reliable thermal performance throughout its operational lifetime is essential. Nevertheless, the reliability of thermal conductivity in multi-phase composites over relevant numbers (>10³) of melt/freeze cycles has barely been studied, particularly for composites containing fillers for thermal conductivity enhancement. Here, we introduce a preform-type expanded graphite (EG)/paraffin wax composite possessing highly robust heat transfer and storage properties even after 10,000 melt/freeze cycles. To achieve such excellent reliability, comparative studies on the combined influence of fabrication process, particle size, EG vol%, binder amount, and compaction on both magnitude and robustness of thermal conductivity were undertaken. Our parametric study has yielded a trade-off between thermal conductivity and latent heat. Based on our modeling, 20 vol% EG approaches the case where all EG particles are well-connected thermally while 10 vol% EG is close to loosely connected fillers in the matrix. Thermal conductivity of our paraffin composites containing 20 vol% EG (25.1 W·m^-1·K^-1) is highest among other EG/paraffin composites without aligned EG in the literature. After 10,000 thermal cycling, negligible conductivity fading was observed for the 10 vol% EG composite, while reduction in latent heat remained within 10% for all 10, 14, 17 and 20 vol% EG samples. Here we anticipate this work provides insight on suitable recipe for desirable magnitude and robustness of thermal conductivity of EG/paraffin composites.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Texas A & M University, College Station, TX (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009155

OSTI ID:: 1977116

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1870339

Journal Information:: Journal of Energy Storage, Journal Name: Journal of Energy Storage Journal Issue: PB Vol. 52; ISSN 2352-152X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
expanded graphite
paraffin
phase change material
thermal conductivity
thermal cycling
thermal energy storage

Thermal energy storage composites with preformed expanded graphite matrix and paraffin wax for long-term cycling stability and tailored thermal properties

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