Hydrate Salt Based PCMs for Thermal Energy Storage
Inorganic materials with high latent heat storage
Introduction
Hydrate salt based PCMs are a category of inorganic phase change materials widely used in thermal energy storage applications that require high latent heat capacity and efficient heat transfer performance.
These materials store and release thermal energy through a solid–liquid phase transition at a defined temperature, enabling efficient temperature regulation and compact thermal storage system design.
Due to their high energy density and relatively high thermal conductivity, hydrate salt based PCMs are commonly applied in industrial thermal management systems, energy storage modules, and applications where fast thermal response and high efficiency are critical.
Material Overview
- Hydrate salt based PCMs are inorganic phase change materials composed of salt hydrates that undergo a reversible solid–liquid phase transition at a specific temperature range.
- During the phase change process, they are able to absorb and release a large amount of latent heat, allowing efficient thermal energy storage within a relatively compact volume. This characteristic makes them suitable for applications where high energy density and efficient heat utilization are required.
- Compared to organic phase change materials, hydrate salt based phase change materials generally exhibit higher thermal conductivity, which enables faster heat transfer during charging and discharging processes. As a result, they are often selected for high-performance thermal energy storage systems and industrial thermal management applications.
Hydrate Salt Based PCMs Categories
| Product | PCMCOOL NHS18 | PCMCOOL NHS16 | PCMCOOL NHS11 | PCMCOOL NHS5 | PCMCOOL HS0 | PCMCOOL HS24 | PCMCOOL HS28 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase Change | -18℃ | -16℃ | -11℃ | -5℃ | 0℃ | 24℃ | 28℃ |
| Latent of Heat | 280j/g | 290j/g | 288j/g | 300j/g | 333j/g | 165j/g | 180j/g |
Key Properties
| Property | Descriptioin |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Inorganic |
| Latent Heat | Very high |
| Phase Change Temperature | Application-specific |
| Thermal Conductivity | Higher than organic PCMs |
| Energy Density | High |
Thermal Performance Behavior
Hydrate salt based PCMs exhibit high thermal conductivity and rapid heat transfer during phase change, enabling fast thermal energy charging and discharging. Compared to organic PCMs, they provide quicker thermal response, making them suitable for high-efficiency thermal energy storage systems where performance and response speed are critical.
Cycling Stability & Performance Control
With proper formulation and system design, hydrate salt based PCMs can maintain stable phase change temperatures and latent heat performance over repeated thermal cycles. Engineering controls help manage phase separation and supercooling, ensuring reliable long-term thermal performance in controlled operating environments.
Design & Integration Considerations
Hydrate salt based PCMs are typically used in sealed or encapsulated thermal modules to ensure stable operation and efficient heat transfer. Careful system design allows their high energy density and thermal efficiency to be effectively utilized in practical thermal energy storage applications.
Typical Applications
HVAC thermal energy storage systems
Building thermal comfort solutions
Industrial thermal buffering
Renewable energy storage applications
Advantages
- High latent heat storage capacity
- Sharp and well-defined phase change temperature
- Higher thermal conductivity compared to organic PCMs
- Suitable for compact thermal storage designs
Hydrate Salt Based PCMs VS Organic PCMs
| Aspect | Hydrate Salt PCMs | Organic PCMs |
|---|---|---|
| Latent Heat | Higher | Moderate |
| Thermal Conductivity | Higher | Lower |
| Phase Stability | Requires stabilization | Very stable |
| Typical Applications | HVAC, buildings | Cold chain, personal cooling |
Engineering Challenges and Considerations
- Potential phase separation
- Supercooling effects
- Long-term cycling stability considerations
How PCMCOOL Addresses These Challenges
- Improved cycling stability
- Consistent phase change behavior
- Compatibility with encapsulation and modules
How PCMCOOL Supplies Hydrate Salt PCMs
- Application-specific temperature selection
- System-level integration
- Engineering and OEM cooperation
Ready to Specify Hydrate Salt Based PCMs for Your Project?
Talk to PCMCOOL’s engineering team to select the right hydrate salt PCM formulation based on your operating temperature range, cycling requirements, and system design.
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