Discharge Characteristics of Capsule-Type Thermal Energy Storage Unit Using Carbon-Fiber/Paraffin Composite

Carbon fibers with a high thermal conductivity were used to enhance the thermal conductivity of paraffin. Discharge characteristics of a capsule-type thermal energy storage unit using the carbon-fiber/ paraffin composite was experimentally examined. The volume fraction of the carbon fibers was changed from zero to 2%, The experimental results demonstrate that carbon fibers essentially improve the discharge characteristics of the heat storage unit. A heat transfer model previously developed by one of the authors almost predicts the experimental results.