ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the characterization of the phase change material (PCM) and the Thermal conductivity enhancer (TCE). Latent heat thermal energy storage is very attractive mainly due to its ability to provide high energy storage density and its characteristics to store heat at constant temperature corresponding to the phase transition temperature of the PCM. For any configuration of heat sink with PCM, the latent heat time of the heat sink is taken to be 36.5°C – 38.5°C, because exact isothermal phase change does not happen in reality; rather it happens with minimal temperature difference. Because of the high thermal conductivity of metals such as aluminium, copper, titanium and stainless steel, they are preferred to be used as TCE for various applications. Low density and corrosion resistance make aluminium the material of choice for the TCE, especially in the thermal management of portable electronic equipment.
