(100c) Thermal Energy Storage System Based on a Pphase Change Material for Automotive Applications

A latent heat based thermal energy storage (TES) device was developed and tested for use in cold engine start up under cold winter conditions. 3.6 kg of a paraffin wax was used as a phase change material to store heat and a 15 kg aluminum block was used as a simulated engine block. A radiator coolant was then circulated between the thermal energy storage device and the engine block during the heat discharging tests which were conducted in a freezer kept at -15 to -20 degrees C. An analytical model was also developed to simulate the engine block heat up tests. The test data indicated that the TES device initially at 60 degrees C could heat up the aluminum block by 20 to 30 degrees C in 5 minutes. A sensitivity study conducted with the analytical model indicated the coolant flow rate to have the largest effect on the heat up speed.