Cost-effective device to characterize phase change materials. (28th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mjallal, Ibrahim; Hammoud, Mohammad; Habchi, Charbel; Lemenand, Thierry
• Is Part Of: Measurement science & technology. Volume 31:Number 2(2020)
• Publication Date: 2019-11-28
• Subjects: phase change material -- thermal conductivity -- specific heat -- heat transfer -- conduction -- thermophysical properties; Physical measurements -- Periodicals; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Equipment and Supplies -- Periodicals; Science -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Technology -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Mesures physiques -- Périodiques; Physical measurements; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; 502.87
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6501/ab3d19
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-0233

Abstract

Abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) have been an emerging research topic for the last few years. However, the lack of detailed and precise information regarding their thermophysical properties is a major concern for researchers. The current paper presents a simple method to determine the specific heat ( ), thermal conductivity and melting temperature ( ) of a PCM using a novel low-cost device. Compared to the conventional existing methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), T-history, panel tests and simple thermal analyses, this new method grants the following features: simplicity and ease of manufacturing and the ability to measure the thermophysical properties of heterogeneous PCM samples without a reference material. Using this novel device, the thermophysical properties of sodium sulfate decahydrate were measured and good agreement is obtained with values collected from the open literature using other devices.