Thermal behaviour of phase-change slurries incorporating hydrated hydrophilic polymeric particles

The application of slurries containing phase change materials (consisting of hydrated hydrophilic polymeric particles) to both the storage and the transmission of thermal energy at temperatures below ambient has been investigated. Phase change due to freezing has been investigated experimentally for oil-based slurries employing hydrophilic copolymer particles in concentration of 1%, 5%, 10% and 25% (by volume). The principle findings are: 1. At temperature above the phase transition temperature the presence of particles causes a significant increase in the measured heat transfer coefficient for concentrations = 10%. 2. There is a significant interaction of particles at the heat transfer surface. 3. Under high flow rate conditions with phase change occuring, the heat transfer coefficients are enhanced considerably (i.e. by about 80%) when compared with the support fluid alone or with the support fluid incorporating similar volume fractions of non-active particles. © 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.