Heat exchange studies on coconut oil cells as thermal energy storage for room thermal conditioning

[摘要] As reported by many thermal environment experts, room air conditioning might be controlled by thermal mass system. In this paper we discuss the performance of coconut oil cells as room thermal energy storage. The heat exchange mechanism of coconut oil (CO) which is one of potential organic Phase Change Material (PCM) is studied based on the results of temperature measurements in the perimeter and core parts of cells. We found that the heat exchange performance, i.e. heat absorption and heat release processes of CO cells are dominated by heat conduction in the sensible solid from the higher temperature perimeter part to the lower temperature core part and heat convection during the solid-liquid phase transition and sensible liquid phase. The capability of heat absorption as measured by the reduction of air temperature is not influenced by CO cell size. Besides that, the application of CO as the thermal mass has to be accompanied by air circulation to get the cool sensation of the room's occupants.

[发布机构] Dept. of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia^1;Building Technology Research Division, School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia^2

[效力级别] 物理学

[关键词] Air circulation;Air temperature;Heat absorption;Heat exchange performance;Lower temperatures;Solid-liquid phase transitions;Thermal conditioning;Thermal environment