Stability and Thermophysical Properties of Binary Propanol–Water Mixtures Based Microencapsulated Phase Change Material Suspensions

Abstract

In order to obtain stable latent functionally thermal fluids for heat transfer and heat storage, microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) suspensions with binary propanol–water mixtures of different proportions as base fluid were formulated. The stability study finds the binary propanol–water mixtures, after having stood for 48 hr, with a density of 941 kg/m3 exhibit the best stability. The morphology and thermophysical properties of the 10–40 wt.% MPCM suspensions, such as diameter distribution, latent heat and heat capacity, rheology and viscosity, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficients, were studied experimentally. The influence of MPCM concentration and temperature on the thermophysical properties was analyzed as well.