Evaluation of Fundamental Characteristics of D-Threitol as Phase Change Material at High Temperature

Abstract

This study focused on polyalcohols as phase change material, which stores a large amount of latent heat at high temperature. D-Threitol, which is an isomer of meso-Erythritol, was studied to obtain its phase change characteristics by means of DSC analysis and a lab-scale heating and cooling apparatus. Usability of D-Threitol as phase change material was evaluated by comparison with other polyalocohols.
It was found that D-Threitol started to melt at around 90 degrees C with a relatively large latent heat of 225 kJ/kg. On the other hand, D-Threitol started solidification when the temperature was cooled between at 40 degrees C and 46 degrees C, indicated by a rapid rise to 89 degrees C in a lab-scale heating and cooling apparatus. It was then considered that D-Threitol was applicable as an environmental-friendly PCM for a hot water supply.