SUPER-BIO-PCM: Superior Form-Stable Biochar Encapsulated Phase Change Materials for Direct Solar Absorption

Lead Research Organisation: University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Engineering

Abstract

Advancement in the field of thermal energy storage (TES) is crucial to meet the rapidly growing energy demand. Among the available TES techniques, latent heat storage has promising applicability, and paraffins are commonly used due to their inherent technical and economic advantages. The direct employment of these materials has a long-standing bottleneck for system-level applications due to leakage above the normal melting temperature and low heat transfer performance (low thermal conductivity). This proposal addresses these challenges by developing and implementing a novel form of stable phase change material (PCM) composite encapsulated by biochars. A comprehensive investigation of the fundamental aspects of heat transfer during charging and discharging, as well as the parameters affecting the properties of form-stable PCM-Biochar composite (fs-PBC), will be carried out both numerically and experimentally. The properties of fs-PBC will be characterised and compared to those of a typical PCM. Following the successful evaluation of the basic and fundamental properties of fsPBC, this novel material will be employed in a Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) collector to assess its thermal output and cooling efficiency. The proposed fsPBC, once it is developed, will provide a cost-effective solution for energy storage and PV cooling, delivering wide impacts on the economy and environment. The proposed research offers innovations at both material and system levels. Therefore, once the route of preparing the novel PCM based composite is established, the same procedure can be replicated for several other applications, including lightweight high strength roof material for buildings with better thermal regulation, battery thermal management in electric vehicles, and cooling electronic devices.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Novel form-stable Phase Change Material-biochar composites for thermal storage application.
Exploitation Route The properties of the form-stable phase change-bio composite synthesised in this work make it suitable for potential application in the field of thermal management of photovoltaic modules, electronic devices, and buildings.
Sectors Chemicals

Construction

Electronics

Energy

Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X24005796?via%3Dihub
 
Description The new form-stable phase change-bio composites have the potential applications in the field of thermal management of photovoltaic modules, electronic devices, and buildings. The research is published as a journal article (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X24005796?via%3Dihub) and progressing.
First Year Of Impact 2024
Sector Chemicals,Construction,Education,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Economic

 
Title BicharPCM Characterisation 
Description Several Form-stable PCM-biochar composites characterisation for morphological, chemical and thermal properties. 
Type Of Material Data analysis technique 
Year Produced 2024 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This will have positive impacts in solar/low Temperature Energy Storage purpose 
 
Description Supergen Bioenergy Impact Hub 
Organisation Aston University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project partner, CoI
Collaborator Contribution Project Lead
Impact Supergen Bioenergy Impact Hub focusing on all the aspects mentioned below
Start Year 2023
 
Description Transformative Systems Through Partnership (TSP) 
Organisation Visva-Bharati University
Country India 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution UK Academic Project Lead
Collaborator Contribution Overall Project Lead
Impact just started
Start Year 2024
 
Description Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme in the areas of-Solar, Wind and Hybrid Energy Systems 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Basics of Solar Energy in the "Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme in the areas of-Solar, Wind and Hybrid Energy Systems" funded by Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Govt. of India and organized by School of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Guwahati, 29-2 Feb 2024.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024