DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEAT EXCHANGER FOR SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE

The use of a latent heat storage system using phase change materials (PCMs) is an effective way to store solar thermal energy. Latent heat storage system is an isothermal nature of storing energy and has advantages of high-energy storage density. The present study includes thermal reliability of Benzamide and Sebacic acid as phase change materials (PCMs). The selected phase change materials were Benzamide and Sebacic acid with melting temperatures between 1270C - 1340C. Latent heat storage capacity and phase transition temperature of the PCMs were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC) technique after repeated thermal cycles such as 0th ,100th,200th,300th,400th,500th,600th.700th,800th,900th,1000th. The present work also comprises the investigation of corrosion resistance of some construction materials to the benzamide and sebacic acid over a long period. The containment materials tested were stainless steel (SS), aluminium (Al), copper (Cu). Gravimetric analysis as mass loss(mg/cm2), corrosion rate(mg/day) and microscopic were performed for corrosion tests after thermal cycles. In addition to the thermal reliability and corrosion analysis, suitable heat exchanger was also designed and fabricated. DSC measurements showed that Benzamide and Sebacic acid investigated as PCMs have a good thermal reliability as a function of latent heat and phase transition temperature range for an actual thermal energy storage utility.