Effect of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the performance of paraffin phase change material thermal storage system

The present study investigates the effect of nanoparticles on the performance of Paraffin wax in a latent heat thermal storage system. The experiments are conducted using organic compound which is paraffin wax with 0.5, 1 and 1.5% (volume) aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles. Thermal storage system is designed and fabricated as per the design dimensions. The thermal storage system uses PCM which undergoes the phase change during the charging and discharging cycle. The heat input (Ein), heat absorbed (Eab) and temperature profiles for charging and discharging are evaluated for the nanoparticles when combined with Paraffin PCM materials. The study reveals that 1.5% Al₂O₃ with 2.5 kg of Paraffin wax blend results better performance characteristics. The heat transfer rate is 17% higher for Paraffin wax with 1.5% Al₂O₃ compared to neat paraffin wax operation. Hence, combination of the nanoparticles with PCM gives better thermal performance during charging and discharging conditions.