Heat transfer enhancement of phase change materials embedded with metal foam for thermal energy storage: A review

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been considered suitable energy materials to address the mismatch between energy demand and supply to improve the utilization efficiency of the latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system. However, the relatively low thermal conductivity of PCMs leads to an undesirable thermal response rate of the LHTES system. Among the common methods to improve the heat transfer performance of PCMs, the employment of metal foam (MF) has attracted growing attention as an effective strategy. Plenty of studies have investigated thoroughly the vital parameters of MF impacting the phase change process, while a corresponding discussion of the situations and limitations of the known technologies is still lacking. In this re-view, a total of 476 literature derived since 2000 are visualized based on scientometric analysis to exhibit the attractive spotlights and new trends. The impact factors on the heat transfer performance of PCMs embedded with MF (PCMs/MF) are presented in-depth. Besides, the developments of hybrid heat transfer enhancement techniques based on the MF are overviewed comprehensively. Combined with the thermal characteristics of typical applications, systematic information on PCMs/MF in these applications is summarized, and the suitability of these technologies is discussed. Finally, ongoing challenges of PCMs/MF are identified, and developmental tendencies and opportunities for further research work to address them are discussed. This review provides helpful information to facilitate the development of innovative and feasible PCMs/MF in the LHTES system and encourage and attract researchers and scholars to get some advancement in their future work.

Automated summary

Phase change materials (PCMs) have the potential to improve the utilization efficiency of the latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system, but their relatively low thermal conductivity results in an undesirable thermal response rate. The use of metal foam (MF) as an effective strategy to enhance the heat transfer performance of PCMs has gained attention. However, there is still a lack of discussion on the limitations and situations of known technologies. In this review, a total of 476 literature since 2000 are analyzed using scientometric analysis to highlight the key areas and new trends. The factors influencing the heat transfer performance of PCMs embedded with MF (PCMs/MF) are presented in-depth, and the developments of hybrid heat transfer enhancement techniques based on MF are comprehensively overviewed. Furthermore, the systematic information on PCMs/MF in typical applications is summarized, and the suitability of these technologies is discussed. Challenges and opportunities for further research work on PCMs/MF are also identified and discussed.