Latent heat storage with polyethylene enhanced with aluminum stripes.

As part of a research project heat storage was developed and tested on the basis of phase change materials. Using a built proto type latent heat storage integrated into a solar air conditioning system at the Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Environmental Engineering’s (IKKU) test facility loading and discharging tests were conducted to investigate the use of PCM materials in a heat exchanger of a solar system to support steam production in cloudy periods. The latent heat storage concept is designed for the temperature range to 130 °C. In the latent heat storage, the energy is to be saved from excess steam and made available when required.
Latent heat storage materials can only be used successfully if they do not change their properties during the many cycles of long-term use. The review of the material behavior with frequent changes in the aggregate state is an important criterion. Polyethylene plastic is used as latent heat storage material in this application. Polyethylene is ideal for this application because of the relatively high heat of fusion and the appropriate phase change temperature of about 130 °C. To test the functionality of the storage concept, a pilot plant was built and various storage concepts were examined.