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Life cycle inventory and performance analysis of phase change materials for thermal energy storages

Emergent Materials volume 4, pages 1697–1709 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Solar energy is a renewable energy that requires a storage medium for effective usage. Phase change materials (PCMs) successfully store thermal energy from solar energy. The material-level life cycle assessment (LCA) plays an important role in studying the ecological impact of PCMs. The life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis provides information regarding the material and energy requirements and economy of PCMs. This work presents an estimated LCA and LCI values in order to reveal all the mentioned effects of PCMs on storing thermal energy generated by concentrated solar thermal power plants. The goal of this study was to provide guidance for PCM system design based on a matrix that considers the performance, costs, and environmental impact. The ecoinvent global database (version 3) was used for the life cycle inventory analysis. For this study, PCMs were selected based on physical and chemical properties as well as state and melting temperatures (300–500 °C) that are suitable for charging and discharging a large amount of thermal energy. The performance of PCMs was determined based on their thermal effusivity. Results indicate that compared to other PCMs, sodium nitrate (100%) used less heat energy, but when comparing the amount of electricity usage for PCM compounds, potassium nitrate (65.31%) + potassium carbonate (34.69%) used less electricity. From the emissions data for PCMs from raw materials to factory gate (cradle-to-gate), Na2CO3 produced the lowest emissions to air, although harmful emissions to water. The performance of PCM mixtures was better, with thermal conductivity almost 3.5 times higher than that of individual PCMs. However, the cost of PCM mixtures was three times higher than that of individual PCMs. This comprehensive compilation of PCM data can be very helpful in the selection of a suitable PCM while offering a fine balance between cost and performance.

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Abbreviations

kWh:

Kilowatt-hour

LCA:

Life cycle assessment

LCI:

Life cycle inventory

MJ:

Megajoule

PCM:

Phase change material

TES:

Thermal energy storage

τ:

Density fraction

ρbi :

Density of binary compound PCM

ρA :

Density of compound A

ρB :

Density of compound B

ρ:

Density of PCM

Cp :

Specific heat capacity of PCM

λbi :

Thermal conductivity of binary compound PCM

λA :

Thermal conductivity of compound A

λB :

Thermal conductivity of compound B

k:

Thermal conductivity of PCM

e:

Thermal effusivity of PCM

WA :

Weight of compound A

WB :

Weight of compound B

∆Hm :

Heat of fusion

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS, 67260, USA

    Naveenkumar Madeswaran, Fenil J. Desai & Eylem Asmatulu

Authors
  1. Naveenkumar Madeswaran
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  2. Fenil J. Desai
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  3. Eylem Asmatulu
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Correspondence to Eylem Asmatulu.

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Highlights

1. PCMs were selected based on physical, chemical and thermal properties.

2. The performance of PCMs was determined based on their thermal effusivity.

3. LCI of PCMs was performed using the cradle-to-gate approach.

4. The material-level LCA is important for understanding environmental impact of PCMs.

4. The material-level LCA is important for understanding environmental impact of PCMs.

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Madeswaran, N., Desai, F.J. & Asmatulu, E. Life cycle inventory and performance analysis of phase change materials for thermal energy storages. emergent mater. 4, 1697–1709 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42247-021-00235-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42247-021-00235-0

Keywords

  • Life cycle analysis
  • Life cycle inventory analysis
  • Phase change material
  • Carbon footprint
  • Emissions