Energy Storage: CFD Modeling of Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

To optimize the utilization of thermal conversion systems it is needed to integrate them with thermal energy storage. Between many types of base materials, the phase change materials (PCMs) are the most adequate mediums to store and release the thermal energy. PCMs have high latent heat of fusion and, in general, low thermal conductivity, therefore, nanomaterials are used as additives to enhance the properties of base materials as PCMs. Paper presents an exhaustive classification of PCMs and nanomaterials used in thermal energy storage technologies in addition an assessment about their modeling through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Goal was to emphasize CFD use as an effective tool to increase engineering development of thermal energy storage technologies