Assessment of thermal performance of PCM in latent heat storage system for different applications

This article demonstrates the feasibility of using a phase change material (PCM) in a solar stove for storing energy. The PCM is a material that is able of absorbing and liberating great amounts of energy upon solidification and melting due to its superior latent heat storage capability. In this study, small capsules, used as PCM storage units in the solar stove, were constructed from aluminum and tested for solar energy storage during shiny days. The capsules were placed in a receiver of a parabolic reflector to absorb heat from the reflected sunlight of the parabolic reflector, which was stored as latent heat in the PCM. Acetamide of commercial grade was used as the material for latent heat storage. The solar stove with the PCM storage units had been experimentally tested. The thermal performance was analyzed during idle condition of the fan and at three rates of air flow. The temperature of the PCM capsules decreased rapidly during the first few minutes as the temperature of cooking pan increased at the same rate, and then the two temperatures matched and decreased slowly. The rate of change was higher with increasing air flow rate. Energy effectiveness between the PCM tubes and air flow increased with increasing air flow rate. The results supply significant information to design a prototype of solar stove provided with a good thermal performance material utilized for storing thermal energy.