Study on the properties of a novel shape-stable epoxy resin sealed expanded graphite/paraffin composite PCM and its application in buildings

ABSTRACTIn this study, a novel phase change material (PCM) of epoxy resin sealed expanded graphite/paraffin composite was developed as an independent attachment for building applications. A relatively high thermal energy storage density and a high thermal conductivity (2.141 W/(m·K)) were obtained in the composite PCM. The mass fraction of paraffin in the composite PCM could reach 94% without leakage of liquid paraffin when being heated at 50°C for more than 3 h, and the thermal cycle stability was good. Moreover, the thermal storage and release properties of this composite PCM with different thicknesses were studied by numerical simulation. The results showed that the thermal storage and release time are proportional to the thickness of the composite PCM, and there was almost no temperature gradient during the thermal storage and release process, which indicated that the thermal conductivity of this kind of composite PCM was high enough for building applications.