Solidification of a PEG 1500-epoxy nanocomposite around a horizontal pipe

A PCM-epoxy phase change material composite (polyethylene glycol 1500-epoxy) was developed as heat storage building element for houses with low energy consumption. The PCM component, polyethylene glycol 1500, was integrated in an epoxy matrix, and presents a phase change interval of 34–42 °C and an enthalpy of solidification of 103.411 kJ/kg. Experiments on solidification were conducted using a Plexiglas test cell filled with the PEG 1500-epoxy nanocomposite material (P15-E) for further implementation of this material in buildings. The forwarded solidification model assumes negligible convection in the liquid region and predicts the time for radial formation of two regions: a mushy-zone and a solid, annular one around the pipe during solidification. The heat transfer during solidification can be also characterized by the time evolution of both liquid and solid radial fronts. The model was analytically solved using Megerlin approximation concerning “solidification with mushy zone”, with the third order condition at the external frontier. The experimental values are in agreement with the calculated theoretical curves.