A comprehensive review on rheological behavior of phase change materials fluids (slurry and emulsion): The way toward energy efficiency

Human society as well as fast growth community caused energy demand increment, which leads to fossil sources shortage and environment pollution. Major portion of energy is consumed in buildings where is utilized for heating and cooling. Thermal energy storage (TES) is an efficient technology which phase change materials (PCMs) utilization is supposed to be a productive approach to improve energy storage capacity as a consequence of PCMs large latent heat and heat storage capacity besides to heat storage at a persistent temperature range. PCMs-based latent TES generally requires an additional heat transfer fluid for heat transport and to exchange varied heat sources and PCMs through heat storage process. To cope with aforementioned issues, phase change slurries (PCS) in addition to phase change emulsions (PCEs) usage have proposed. In PCS systems, PCM particles will distribute in an appropriate carrier fluid and for PCE solutions, two-phase elements heat transfer fluid consists of at least two non-miscible liquids is employed. Multiple variables have direct impact on PCS/PCE energy consumption which this paper gives comprehensive details on crucial process parameters comprising different types with regard to stabilized solutions, rheological properties and multipurpose applications and ultimately optimum energy consumption process will be suggested.