Thermal storage properties of lightweight concrete incorporating phase change materials with different fusion points in hybrid form for high temperature applications

Abstract

In this study, the thermal storage properties of lightweight concrete incorporating two types of phase change materials (PCM) with two different fusion points were investigated. Two types of PCM, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and paraffin (PRF), were impregnated into porous aggregates using high temperatures. The PCM aggregates were mixed with concrete at different proportions of PEG/PRF aggregates from 0/100 to 100/0 with 25% intervals. The experimental series consisted of thermal property tests (such as thermal conductivity, specific heat, and latent heat), and some basic properties (such as compressive strength, density, water absorption, and abrasion resistance). The results showed that incorporating PCM aggregates into lightweight concrete helped increase the workability, lower the moisture absorption, and increase the mechanical properties. For thermal properties, both thermal conductivity (k) and specific heat were found to depend strongly on the state of PCM. The latent heat of lightweight concrete with PCM aggregates in hybrid form were found to be higher than that of single type PCM aggregates.