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Testing of Carbon Foam with a Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage

Irwin, Matthew A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1399489817

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Mechanical Engineering (Engineering and Technology).
The goal of this study is to evaluate thermally conductive graphite foams for use in thermal energy storage (TES) devices. A phase change material (PCM) can absorb heat during melting and release it during solidification. Most PCM have very low thermal conductivity values, which leads to slow melting rates. Therefore, a thermally conductive enhancer (TCE) is needed to melt the PCM at a faster rate. Graphite foams can be used as a TCE due to their high overall surface area, relatively low weight, and their ability to be manufactured with high thermal conductivity. This thesis examines the melt behavior of the PCM when infiltrated into graphite foam. The heat exchanger coupon used in this study is made of two blocks of foam separated by a parting plate. Two different materials are investigated as the parting plate: stainless steel and aluminum. Two different methods of bonding the foam to the parting plate are evaluated; they are bonding by epoxy, and a brazing method. The melting time of the PCM with different bonding methods are compared to the case when the foam coupons are not bonded to the parting plate. The experimental results indicate that the heat transfer rate is significantly influenced by the bonding method as well the thermal mass associated with the bonding material.
Khairul Alam (Advisor)
David Bayless (Committee Member)
John Cotton (Committee Member)
Tatiana Savin (Committee Member)
83 p.
Mechanical Engineering
Carbon Foam; Thermal Energy Storage; Phase Change Material;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Irwin, M. A. (2014). Testing of Carbon Foam with a Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1399489817

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Irwin, Matthew. Testing of Carbon Foam with a Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage. 2014. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1399489817.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Irwin, Matthew. "Testing of Carbon Foam with a Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1399489817

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1399489817
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.