What is a latent heat storage system?

The use of a latent heat storage system using Phase Change Materials (PCM) is an effective way of storing thermal energy (solar energy, off-peak electricity, industrial waste heat) and has the advantages of high storage density and the isothermal nature of the storage process.

What is latent thermal energy storage (LTEs)?

This article provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of latent thermal energy storage (LTES) technology with a particular focus on medium-high temperature phase change materials for heat recovery, storage and utilisation.

What is latent heat?

Latent heat provides substantially high energy storage density and maintains small temperature difference between the storage and release of heat . LHSMs can be of the form Solid–Solid (S–S), Solid–Liquid (S–L), Solid–Gas (S–G) and Liquid–Gas (L–G) based on the transformation type.

How does latent heat affect the thermal energy storage performance?

SEM images of salt composites with different carbon nanomaterials . Except for the thermal conductivity, latent heat is also a crucial thermophysical parameter determining the thermal energy storage performance. Therefore, when adding nanoparticles into the basic PCM, attention should also be paid on the variation of latent heat.

What is sensible and latent heat energy storage?

Thus, the need for energy storage is realized and results in sensible and latent heat energy storage being used. Latent heat energy storage (LHES) offers high storage density and an isothermal condition for a low- to medium-temperature range compared to sensible heat storage.

Can latent thermal energy storage be integrated with heat recovery systems?

The integration and utilisation of latent thermal energy storage (LTES) with heat recovery systems is the most potential, cost-effective solution and has been widely investigated worldwide. Previously reported reviews on the similar research topic are reviewed and summarised as follows.