EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE AT

DAYTIME AND NOCTURNAL USAGE

An Undergraduate Thesis Presented to the

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Mindanao State University

General Santos City

In Partial Fulfilment of the

Requirements for

ME 199: Special Problems

By:

Musa, Shaina E.

Hongoy, Cleo Mallyn C.

Dr. Harold P. Bergante

Adviser
 CHAPTER 1 – THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

1.1 Introduction

Abundance of renewable energies available in nature should be harnessed and

utilized to meet the growing power demand for sustained future 1, as the world energy

demand and consumption have increased enormously which led to a wide variety of

harsh environmental impacts2. Many scientists are involved in search of new and

renewable sources of energy and have proved that solar energy has the maximum

potential to solve the problem of energy crisis 3. Thus, to address these issues, thermal

energy storage (TES) is nowadays a key factor which helps, among others, increasing

the reliability of energy supplies coming from renewable energy and reducing

greenhouse gas emissions4. There are many thermal energy storage (TES) methods such

as sensible TES, latent TES, chemical TES and, more recently, ionic liquid TES 5.

Among the different methods mentioned, latent heat thermal energy storage is an

effective and reliable way of storing energy compared to the other ways of energy

storage including thermochemical reactions6. One of prospective techniques of storing

thermal energy is the application of phase change materials (PCMs)7

Examples of TES are the storage of ice for space cooling in the summer and storage

of heat or coolness generated electrically during off peak hours for use during

subsequent peak hours8,

Energy storage not only reduces the mismatch between supply and demand but also

improves the performance and reliability of energy systems and plays an important role

in conserving the energy7

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Most solar dryers rely on only solar energy as the heat source. The existing solar

dryers are weather dependent that limits its use in off- sunny periods such as cloudy,

rainy seasons and after sunset. Generally, the purpose of this study is to design thermal

energy storage to overcome the irregular nature of solar energy. The thermal energy

storage materials store the excess of the thermal energy during day time and use it during

the off-sun hours.

1.3 Objectives

The goal of this research project is to observe the behavior--temperature and air

velocity of the modified nanoparticle-hybrid PCM during daytime and night-time usage.

Specifically, the objectives of this study will be to:

1. To distinguish the difference of varied time conditions from the performance of

thermal energy storage with nanoparticle-hybrid PCM.

2. To differentiate the performance of modified thermal energy storage between

nanoparticle-hybrid PCM and without the presence of nanomaterials.

3. To determine the efficiency of modified TES.

4. To identify the specific times where the PCM momentarily changes its phases.
1.4 Scopes and Limitations

1. This study limits in using one nanomaterial to mix with PCM.

2. This study's data will be tabulated specifically from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 m.n.

3. Only the temperature and air velocity will be observed as it let alone concludes

the result of the TES's performance.

4. The behavior of the said study will be observed through natural air circulation

only.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The researchers will investigate the performance of modified thermal energy storage

unit with nanoparticle-hybrid PCM.

This study will benefit the small-scaled businessmen in the field of food-drying

processing, specifically at areas far from industrial establishments.

The effects of this study will favor the field of science and engineering, providing

additional knowledge from this study's results to harness with the usage of renewable

energy, specifically solar energy as it has potential in the Philippines, knowing that this

country experiences only two seasons.

This study will give ideas on improving the design of an environmental-friendly,

more economical, and more efficient thermal energy storage Also, this study will serve as

the basis for future studies, specifically on thermal energy storage.

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phase change materials in cooling , heating and power generation in di ff erent

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