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Characterization of different sugar alcohols as phase change materials for thermal energy storage applications

Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells • 2017
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Publication Information
Authors E. Palomo del Barrioa, A. Godinb,⁎, M. Duquesnec, J. Daranlotd, J. Jollyd, W. Alshaere, T. Kouadiob, A. Sommierb
Keywords Thermal energy storage PCM Sugar alcohols Characterization
Journal Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells
Publisher Elsevier
Volume 159
Issue Not Available
Pages 560-569
publication.type International
Paper Link Open Link
Supplementary Materials Not Available
Abstract
Sugar alcohols (SA) are attractive phase change materials (PCM) for thermal energy storage applications at lowto-medium temperatures (70–180 °C). Five pure sugar alcohols (xylitol, adonitol, L-arabitol, erythritol, Dmannitol) and three eutectic blends (eythritol/xylitol, L-arabitol/erythritol, L-arabitol/xylitol) are investigated in this paper. Experimental characterization of such materials as PCMs is provided. This encompasses the measurement of their melting point and latent heat of fusion, as well as the experimental determination of all key physical properties (specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, density, viscosity) as a function of the temperature. The performances of the studied materials are compared to those of most currently used PCMs (paraffin waxes, salt hydrates etc.) in the field of thermal energy storage. The most significant applications, including solar seasonal energy storage, are also discussed.