Performance and modelling of latent heat stores

Abstract A study has been made on organic phase change materials (PCM) for thermal energy storage in solar systems. The latent heat effects of these materials are obtained from calorimetric Differential Thermal Analyser (DTA) measurements. Over the whole range of 25–150°C, suitable organic materials are available with heat effects of 150–230 kJ kg −1 including sensible heat. The low value of the thermal conductivity of these materials can be greatly improved by embedding a metal matrix structure in them. A numerical simulation model for the transient heat transfer in a PCM heat storage vessel has been set up and included in TRNSYS. Experiments with a 400 L vessel confirmed the data obtained with this simulation model.