Long-term thermal energy storage prototype of cold-crystallizing erythritol-polyelectrolyte

Phase change materials can improve the energy density of thermal storages (TES) by using latent heat melting, but they cannot typically operate efficiently in long-term TES. A unique way to store for be achieved with erythritol-polyelectrolyte mixture, which exploits supercooling, glass transition and cold-crystallization storing process. However, main challenge supercooling TES is prevent premature crystallization during while maintaining adequate release rate at large scale. This work determines, first time, key operational parameters ∼ 6.5 kg an mixture a prototype. The prototype yielded average melting enthalpy 166 J/g was corroborated calorimetric measurements. Results confirmed feasibility overall storage efficiency 0.50–0.80 when used sensible short-term storage. enabled determination previously undefined critical cooling rate, above not observed despite stochastic nature crystallization. Furthermore, momentary 1000 W allowing complete before discharging heat. defined this confirm reliable use kilogram scale realistic values forwards implementation advanced cold-crystallizing applications.