Performance Assessment of Nano-enhanced Phase Change Material for Thermal Storage

The use of nano phase change material in thermal energy storage applications appears promising, but the often-poor performance and lack understanding heat transfer mechanisms interconnectedness remains a challenge hinders their widespread integration. existing numerical work has unveiled numerous impediments predicting actual melting behaviour. They rarely combine effects conduction enhancement, convection degradation, latent reduction, due to inaccurate characterization thermophysical properties limitations model assumptions. In present study, an enhanced approach was developed investigate xGnP-octadecane filled vertical cylindrical enclosure at different weight concentrations. results for pure were compared validated against experimental data. progression front, temperature probes, capacity rate thoroughly evaluated. current observations demonstrate that addition nanoparticles improves, up critical concentration 0.5wt%, rate. showed by adding 0.5wt% xGnP base (octadecane), decreases 9.7% increases 12.6%. However, higher loadings, is deteriorated worsening other provoking prevalence viscous forces over natural capacity. system overall efficacy found be dependent on net relative changes all with nanoparticle solid, so called mushy, liquid zones. Finally, when characterizing material, conductivity cannot considered alone as criterion selection. A high needed maximum absorption transport applications. Nevertheless, low viscosity, specific capacities are also essential ensure better efficiency terms extraction/release