Faculty Publications
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Item A Computer Aided Cooling Curve Analysis method to study phase change materials for thermal energy storage applications(Elsevier Ltd, 2016) Sudheer, R.; Prabhu, K.N.The suitability of a simple Computer Aided Cooling Curve Analysis (CACCA) technique for characterizing thermal energy storage phase change materials (PCM) was proposed in the present work. Two modes of CACCA, namely, Newtonian and Fourier techniques were used to predict the phase transition temperatures, the latent heat of fusion and thermal diffusivities of PCMs. Solidification of potassium nitrate and zinc-8% aluminium alloy (ZA8) was studied using CACCA method. These PCMs were chosen to demonstrate the ability of the proposed technique to characterize PCMs freezing at a single temperature as well as over a range of temperatures. CACCA method showed that potassium nitrate and ZA8 are suitable candidate materials for TES applications operating at 300-350 °C and 350-450 °C respectively. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.Item Cooling Curve Analysis of Micro- and Nanographite Particle-Embedded Salt-PCMs for Thermal Energy Storage Applications(Springer New York LLC barbara.b.bertram@gsk.com, 2017) Sudheer, R.; Prabhu, K.N.In recent years, the focus of phase change materials (PCM) research was on the development of salt mixtures with particle additives to improve their thermal energy storage (TES) functionalities. The effect of addition of microsized (50 ?m) and nanosized (400 nm) graphite particles on TES parameters of potassium nitrate was analyzed in this work. A novel technique of computer-aided cooling curve analysis was employed here to study the suitability of large inhomogeneous PCM samples. The addition of graphite micro- and nanoparticles reduced the solidification time of the PCM significantly enhancing the heat removal rates, in the first thermal cycle. The benefits of dispersing nanoparticles diminished in successive 10 thermal cycles, and its performance was comparable to the microparticle-embedded PCM thereafter. The decay of TES functionalities on thermal cycling is attributed to the agglomeration of nanoparticles which was observed in SEM images. The thermal diffusivity property of the PCM decreased with addition of graphite particles. With no considerable change in the cooling rates and a simultaneous decrease in thermal diffusivity, it is concluded that the addition of graphite particles increased the specific heat capacity of the PCM. It is also suggested that the additive concentration should not be greater than 0.1% by weight of the PCM sample. © 2017, ASM International.Item Assessment of PCM-container interfacial heat transfer using a hot/cold probe technique(John Wiley and Sons Inc. P.O.Box 18667 Newark NJ 07191-8667, 2019) Sudheer, R.; Prabhu, K.N.A novel technique for assessing heat transfer characteristics of salt-based phase change materials (PCM) was proposed here. The method is based on solution to inverse heat conduction problem. Nanoparticles (Graphite, Graphene, and multi wall carbon nanotube [MWCNT]) were dispersed in the PCM (KNO3) to assess their respective influence on heat transfer in the PCM. Graphite added PCM offered highest heat flow values and heating rates, while the pure salt-PCM offered the least. The probe material had a significant influence on the heat transfer rates at the PCM-probe interface. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Item An experimental approach based on inverse heat conduction analysis for thermal characterization of phase change materials(Elsevier B.V., 2020) Agarwala, S.; Prabhu, K.N.A new method based on solution to inverse heat conduction problem for the assessment of solidification parameters of PCM salts has been proposed. The method estimates the mold -salt interfacial heat flux and it is used to calculate the latent heat of salt PCMs using calorimetry based energy balance equations. This method is more accurate compared to Computer Aided Cooling Curve Analysis (CACCA) techniques as it eliminates the drawbacks involved with base line fitting calculations and errors introduced due to the improper selection of solidification points. Pure salt PCMs such as KNO3 and solar salt were used for the validation of this technique. Both air and furnace cooling were adopted to demonstrate the effect of cooling rate on solidification characteristics. The wettability of salt samples on mild steel surface was analyzed to account for the difference in the thermal behavior of salts. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.Item Review of thermal characterization techniques for salt-based phase change materials(Elsevier Ltd, 2022) Agarwala, S.; Prabhu, K.N.Phase change materials (PCM)-based energy storage system is a quite promising technology for the efficient usage of the excess solar energy produced and utilize it at the hour of high demand. The major challenge here is the selection of PCMs for energy storage applications. Inorganic PCMs possess higher thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity when compared to organic PCMs. Thus, inorganic PCMs have a great potential to be used in energy storage systems majorly in medium to high-temperature applications where organic PCMs cannot be used. An accurate and reliable data on the thermophysical properties of the PCMs is essential before its selection and installation of a energy storage system. In this study, various characterization methods based on calorimetry, temperature difference, cooling rate, and cooling curve used to date are described. Methods such as conventionally used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), T-history method, and computer-aided cooling curve analysis (CACCA) are reviewed and discussed in this study. The two modes of CACCA, Newtonian, and Fourier techniques are explained. The advantages and limitations associated with all these methods are outlined. Inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP)-energy balance method based on CACCA which is devoid of the limitations associated with the conventional characterization methods is discussed. Thermal conductivity is the main characterization parameter of the PCMs and therefore methods to measure thermal conductivity are critically reviewed in this study. Thermal cycling stability is discussed in the context of the review. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd