Fatty acids based eutectic phase change system for thermal energy storage applications

Multiple fatty acid based eutectic phase change materials are prepared for low to moderate temperature latent heat thermal energy storage applications. In particular, palmitic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid and commercial PureTemp68 are used for making eutectic mixtures. The eutectic point of each eutectic mixture is determined using Schrader equation along with its thermophysical properties. Ten different eutectic mixtures are prepared in accordance with eutectic point obtained from the phase diagrams by melt blending followed by ultra-sonication. The latent heat, melting point as well as the specific heat capacity of the eutectic phase change material are determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The results revealed that the melting point of these organic phase change materials ranges from ∼27–75 °C, with the latent heat from ∼127 to 210 kJ⋅kg⁻¹ respectively. Chemical structure of these phase change materials is determined by using Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the presence of carboxylic group in obtained spectra is in accordance with the fatty acids. It is evident that these eutectic phase change materials possess promising characteristics for thermal energy storage ranging from the room temperature to ∼75 °C.