Abstract: Nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM) including nanoparticles dispersed with a base phase change material and that exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity in comparison to the base phase change material.

Abstract: A fluid storage container with a baffle controls the heat absorption percentage of the container. Fluid that is heated adjacent to the surface of a container rises replacing colder fluid which sinks downward, regardless of the baffle. This behavior is able to lead to onset of oscillations in the temperature and flow fields. Due to blockage effect of a thin baffle, multi-cell recirculating vortex structures are observed. The number and strength of these vortices depend on the position and length of the baffle. For certain placements and lengths of the baffle, the time rate of the rise of the bulk temperature is increased or decreased.

Abstract: Improved functionality of phase change materials (PCM) through dispersion of nanoparticles is described. The resulting nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM) exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity in comparison to the base material. Starting with steady state natural convection within a differentially-heated square cavity that contains a nanofluid (water plus copper nanoparticles), the nanofluid is allowed to undergo solidification. Partly due to increase of thermal conductivity and also lowering of the latent heat of fusion, higher heat release rate of the NEPCM in relation to the conventional PCM is observed. The predicted increase of the heat release rate of the NEPCM is a clear indicator of its great potential for diverse thermal energy storage applications.