Energy storage density enhancement in paraffin phase change material emulsions: A comparative study with two different base fluids

This investigation examined the thermophysical properties of emulsions comprising paraffin 56/58 phase change material (PCM) dispersed in water and ethylene glycol (60 wt%) aqueous solution to optimize energy storage density for low-temperature thermal applications. Dynamic Light Scattering analysis revealed a uniform dispersion of paraffin 56/58 PCM droplets in the basefluids, with an average diameter of approximately 150 nm achieved by incorporating sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant. The latent heat of fusion for emulsions containing paraffin 56/58 PCM in ethylene glycol (60 wt%) exhibited values of 37.5/41.7, 58.5/63.9, 73.8/75.43, and 93/90.25 J/g for concentrations of 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt%, respectively, during melting/solidification phases. Furthermore, the highest energy storage densities of 306.95 and 361.3 kJ/kg were attained at a PCM concentration of 50 wt% in ethylene glycol (60 wt%) and water-based emulsions, respectively, surpassing those of similar working fluids. It is also indicated that water-based paraffin 56/58 PCMs offer superior energy storage density. However, under severe operating conditions such as extreme temperatures, ethylene glycol (60 wt%) based paraffin 56/58 emulsions demonstrate greater suitability, as the evaporation and freezing points of the basefluid can be adjusted by modulating the ethylene glycol concentration ratio.