Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage

The present work aims to examine the potential of aloe vera liquid (AVL) and activated carbon (AC) as a phase-change material (PCM) for energy efficient cool thermal energy storage (CTES) applications. The low-viscosity and supercooling behavior of deionized water (DIW) limits its usage in the CTES...

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Main Authors: A. Sathishkumar, P. Sundaram, K.S. Vignesh, M. Cheralathan, A. Kalaisselvane, Rajendran Prabakaran, Sung Chul Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25006227
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author A. Sathishkumar
P. Sundaram
K.S. Vignesh
M. Cheralathan
A. Kalaisselvane
Rajendran Prabakaran
Sung Chul Kim
author_facet A. Sathishkumar
P. Sundaram
K.S. Vignesh
M. Cheralathan
A. Kalaisselvane
Rajendran Prabakaran
Sung Chul Kim
author_sort A. Sathishkumar
collection DOAJ
description The present work aims to examine the potential of aloe vera liquid (AVL) and activated carbon (AC) as a phase-change material (PCM) for energy efficient cool thermal energy storage (CTES) applications. The low-viscosity and supercooling behavior of deionized water (DIW) limits its usage in the CTES system. Three variants of NEPCMs containing activated-carbon (AC) at concentrations of 1.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, and 0.5 wt% were analyzed (AVL, DIW, and AVL + DIW). Zeta-potential distribution analysis shows that all the AVL-NEPCMs (−44 mV) are stable, with the particles exhibiting strong mutual repulsion. A maximum thermal-conductivity (TC) enhancement of 24 % and 34 % was noted for the AVL-NEPCMs in the liquid and solid phases, respectively. The AVL has a latent heat of 332 J/g during melting and 305 J/g during freezing, which is nearly equal to that of DIW. In addition, a slight reduction in latent-heat of 8 %, was observed owing to the non-active participation of AC. The freezing characteristics of NEPCMs were studied with spherical enclosure by maintaining a chiller temperature of −8 °C. A 22 % reduction in total solidification time was observed for the AVL-based NEPCM with 1.5 wt% AC, due to the faster nucleation and the elimination of the supercooling process.
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spelling doaj-art-bb0e06b320d74e009f8471970c32aa882025-08-20T03:08:21ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2025-08-017210636210.1016/j.csite.2025.106362Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storageA. Sathishkumar0P. Sundaram1K.S. Vignesh2M. Cheralathan3A. Kalaisselvane4Rajendran Prabakaran5Sung Chul Kim6School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 712-749, Republic of Korea; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India; Corresponding author.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Puducherry Technological University, Pillaichavady, Puducherry, 605 014, IndiaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 712-749, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author.School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 712-749, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author.The present work aims to examine the potential of aloe vera liquid (AVL) and activated carbon (AC) as a phase-change material (PCM) for energy efficient cool thermal energy storage (CTES) applications. The low-viscosity and supercooling behavior of deionized water (DIW) limits its usage in the CTES system. Three variants of NEPCMs containing activated-carbon (AC) at concentrations of 1.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, and 0.5 wt% were analyzed (AVL, DIW, and AVL + DIW). Zeta-potential distribution analysis shows that all the AVL-NEPCMs (−44 mV) are stable, with the particles exhibiting strong mutual repulsion. A maximum thermal-conductivity (TC) enhancement of 24 % and 34 % was noted for the AVL-NEPCMs in the liquid and solid phases, respectively. The AVL has a latent heat of 332 J/g during melting and 305 J/g during freezing, which is nearly equal to that of DIW. In addition, a slight reduction in latent-heat of 8 %, was observed owing to the non-active participation of AC. The freezing characteristics of NEPCMs were studied with spherical enclosure by maintaining a chiller temperature of −8 °C. A 22 % reduction in total solidification time was observed for the AVL-based NEPCM with 1.5 wt% AC, due to the faster nucleation and the elimination of the supercooling process.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25006227Activated carbonSensible heatEnergy saving potentialThermal conductivityViscosity
spellingShingle A. Sathishkumar
P. Sundaram
K.S. Vignesh
M. Cheralathan
A. Kalaisselvane
Rajendran Prabakaran
Sung Chul Kim
Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage
Case Studies in Thermal Engineering
Activated carbon
Sensible heat
Energy saving potential
Thermal conductivity
Viscosity
title Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage
title_full Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage
title_fullStr Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage
title_full_unstemmed Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage
title_short Solidification characteristics of biomass-activated aloe vera PCM in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage
title_sort solidification characteristics of biomass activated aloe vera pcm in a spherical enclosure for efficient cool thermal energy storage
topic Activated carbon
Sensible heat
Energy saving potential
Thermal conductivity
Viscosity
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25006227
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