https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3632-8369
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ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the influence of low mass% SiO2 nanoparticles on the thermal properties of the paraffin wax for solar thermal energy storage applications. The four nano-SiO2/paraffin PCM samples containing, 0.0 mass%, 0.5 mass%, 1.0 mass%, and 2.0 mass% of SiO2 nanoparticles in paraffin wax were synthesized. The prepared nano-SiO2/paraffin PCMs were investigated with different experimental techniques to assess their thermal properties and physical structure. The analysis evidenced that the fusion of SiO2 nanoparticles with paraffin wax was homogeneous, and they enhanced the thermal conductivity of paraffin wax to 12.78%, 22.78%, and 33.34%, respectively, with the aforementioned mass% of SiO2 nanoparticles. Likewise, the dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles prolonged the thermal degradation of paraffin wax without disturbing its chemical structure and also altered the melting and solidification temperature of the paraffin in a favorable manner. However, the latent heat of the paraffin wax was decreased with the increasing mass% of the nanoparticles and decrement is noteworthy for more than 1.0 mass% of SiO2 nanoparticles in paraffin wax. Altogether, the outcomes revealed that the enhancement of thermal properties were significant, when paraffin wax is supplemented with lowest mass% of SiO2 nanoparticles and to be appropriate for enhanced thermal energy storage.
Abbreviations
| PCM | = | Phase change material. |
| SiO2 | = | Silicon di-oxide. |
| FESEM | = | Field emission scanning electron microscope. |
| DSC | = | Differential scanning calorimetry. |
| TGA | = | Thermogravimetric analysis. |
| FT-IR | = | Fourier transform infrared. |
List of symbols
| k | = | Thermal conductivity (W/mK). |
| k% | = | Percentage of thermal conductivity (%). |
| knanopcm | = | Thermal conductivity of nanophase change material (W/mK). |
| kparaffin | = | Thermal conductivity of paraffin wax (W/mK). |
| masss% | = | Percentage of mass. |
Subscripts
| % | = | Percentage. |
| nanopcm | = | Nanophase change material. |
Additional information
Notes on contributors
P. Manoj Kumar
P. Manoj Kumar received his M.E. with Distinction from Mahendra Engineering College, Salem during 2010. He is presently pursuing his Ph.D as a part time research scholar in Anna University, Chennai. He is having more than ten years of teaching experience and his research area is ‘Thermal energy storage in solar water heaters’. He published twelve research papers in reputed International Journals; fifty three papers in International and National Conferences; authored two books; published one patent. He delivered guest lectures on Solar Thermal Energy at various institutions. His research interests include solar thermal energy conversion, phase change materials, nano materials and thermal energy storage.
K. Mylsamy
K. Mylsamy received his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and M.E. from Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai during 1997 and 1998. He received Ph.D from Anna University, Chennai in 2011. He is having more than 21 years of teaching and research experience. He published sixteen research papers in reputed International Journals; authored two books; published one patent. He is the reviewer of four reputed International Journals. Presently, he is guiding six research scholars under Anna University, Chennai. His research interests include natural fiber composite materials, renewable energy and thermal energy storage.
P.T. Saravanakumar
P.T. Saravanakumar received his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai in 2015. He has obtained his Master Degree in Energy Engineering from PSG College of Technology in 2001 and Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bharathiyar University in 1998. Also, he has completed MBA from Bharathiyar University in 2016. He is having 18 years of teaching and research experience. He published fourteen research papers in reputed International Journals and four books. He is the reviewer of two International Journals. He is the life time member in ISTE, IE and ISHRAE. He research interests include renewable energy, solar thermal systems and magneto hydro-dynamic fluids.