Form-stable phase change materials for thermal energy storage

The present paper considers the state of investigations and developments in form-stable phase change materials for thermal energy storage. Paraffins, fatty acids and their blends, polyethylene glycol are widely used as latent heat storage component in developing form-stable materials while high-density polyethylene (HDPE), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer, Eudragit S. Eudragit E, poly (vynil chloride) (PVC), poly (vynil alcohol) (PVA) and polyurethane block copolymer serve as structure supporting component. A set of organic and metallo-organic materials with high transition heat in solid-solid state is considered as perspective for-stable materials to store thermal energy. Ano :her perspective class of form-stable materials are the materials on the basis of such porous materials as expanded perlite and vermiculite impregnated with phase change heat storage materials. The technology of producing new form-stable ultrafine heat storage fibers is developed. It opens availability to produce the clothers with improved heat storage ability for extremely cold regions. The perspective fields or application of form-stable materials are discussed. The further directions of investigations and developments are considered. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.