Thermographic analysis of polyurethane foams integrated with phase change materials designed for dynamic thermal insulation in refrigerated transport

Abstract The dispersion process of a micro-encapsulated phase change material (n-tetradecane) into a polyurethane foam was studied in order to develop a micro-composite insulating material with both low thermal conductivity and latent heat storage properties. The maximum weight content of micro-capsules added to the cellular matrix was 13.5%. Dynamic thermal properties of hybrid foams were investigated by means of a thermographic analysis. This was found to be a very effective diagnostic technique in detecting the change in heat transfer rate across the micro-composite foam in an indirect way, i.e. by measuring how the surface temperature changes over time under heat irradiation. Such a material would be of interest in the field of transport of perishable goods, particularly those requiring a controlled regime of carriage/storage temperatures.

[1]  Kit-Lun Yick,et al.  Structure and thermal stability of microencapsulated phase-change materials , 2004 .

[2]  Xingxiang Zhang,et al.  Polyurethane foam containing microencapsulated phase-change materials with styrene–divinybenzene co-polymer shells , 2009 .

[3]  Luisa F. Cabeza,et al.  Materials used as PCM in thermal energy storage in buildings: A review , 2011 .

[4]  Wasim Saman,et al.  Development of a novel refrigeration system for refrigerated trucks incorporating phase change material , 2012 .

[5]  Wei Li,et al.  Effects of Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials Granularity and Heat Treat Treatment Condition on the Structure and Performance of Polyurethane Foams , 2008 .

[6]  Dilek Kumlutaş,et al.  Thermal conductivity of particle filled polyethylene composite materials , 2003 .

[7]  Bjørn Petter Jelle,et al.  Traditional, state-of-the-art and future thermal building insulation materials and solutions Prope , 2011 .

[8]  Savvas A. Tassou,et al.  A review of emerging technologies for food refrigeration applications , 2010 .

[9]  L. P. Filippov,et al.  Handbook of Thermal Conductivity of Liquids and Gases , 1993 .

[10]  T. Peijs,et al.  Characterization of rigid polyurethane foams containing microencapsulated Rubitherm® RT27: catalyst effect. Part II , 2011 .

[11]  Luisa F. Cabeza,et al.  Review on phase change materials (PCMs) for cold thermal energy storage applications , 2012 .

[12]  Nihal Sarıer,et al.  Thermal insulation capability of PEG-containing polyurethane foams , 2008 .

[13]  Mario A. Medina,et al.  Reducing Heat Transfer Across the Insulated Walls of Refrigerated Truck Trailers by the Application of Phase Change Materials , 2010 .

[14]  Luisa F. Cabeza,et al.  Experimental and numerical analysis of a chilly bin incorporating phase change material , 2013 .

[15]  Li Zhang,et al.  Effects of type and contents of microencapsuled n-alkanes on properties of soft polyurethane foams , 2010 .

[16]  Wei Li,et al.  Effects of MicroPCMs on the fabrication of MicroPCMs/polyurethane composite foams , 2008 .

[17]  Guido Sassi,et al.  Characterization of panels containing micro-encapsulated Phase Change Materials , 2013 .

[18]  Luisa F. Cabeza,et al.  Review on thermal energy storage with phase change: materials, heat transfer analysis and applications , 2003 .

[19]  J. Su,et al.  Preparation and Characterization of Melamine-Formaldehyde Resin Micro- and Nanocapsules Filled with n-Dodecane , 2012 .

[20]  José Luis Valverde,et al.  Improvement of the thermal behaviour of gypsum blocks by the incorporation of microcapsules containing PCMS obtained by suspension polymerization with an optimal core/coating mass ratio , 2010 .