Experimental Analysis of Phase Change Materials Supported With Hemp-Stem-Derived Biochar for Enhanced Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion and Storage

Abstract

This research focuses on converting hemp stalk into Biochars with 3-dimensional hierarchically directionally dependent pores through a controlled carbonization. These Biochars serve as bolsters for polyethylene glycol to create shape-stable composite PCMs. The research reveals that CPCMs using hierarchically directionally dependent hemp-stem-derived Biochars, attained at 1073 K, exhibit a high PEG1000 rate of loading, considerable heat transfer of latent heat and propitious thermal resistance due to their extensive area of this surface and directionally dependent pores. Furthermore, the SS-Composite PCM based on biochar on demonstrates notable photonic absorption capability, achieving a peak efficiency of solar to thermal conversion 96.77%. The distinct directionally dependent structure of SS-Composite PCMs is apparent in their various thermal conductivities in both the direction of transverse and longitudinal. This improves the effective utilization of Biochars but also provides SS-Composite PCMs with exceptional performance for solar-thermal conversion and storage systems.