Performance Evaluation of a Dual-Stage Latent Heat Exchanger Packed with Two Latent Heat Storage Materials for Recovering Low-Grade Thermal Energy

Abstract

A heat exchange system with two heat storage containers filled with phase change materials having different melting points was experimentally investigated to develop a cascaded heat storage system that allows the use of low-level thermal energy in an ambient temperature range. Lauric and myristic acids, which are harmless to the human body, were used as heat storage materials. The heat transport mechanisms involved in the melting and the solidification processes were analyzed by means of visualization and heat transfer experiments.