A review of theoretical and experimental work to promote the
thermal conductivity of the PCM was presented. The need to
promote the energy charging/discharging rates has been the impetus to
find a better way to enhance the thermal conductivity of PCM.
Focusing on placement of stationary high conductivity additives/
inserts, the thermal conductivity promoter materials have been
carbon materials,copper,aluminum,nickel,metal salt,etc.The
reviewed research work encompassed a variety of approaches to
enhance the thermal conductivity, from effective medium method
to MD simulation in theory and from carbon additives to metal
nanoparticle sin experiments.The tradition theoretical method
using effective medium theory has long been establishedand
developed, numerous research has used it to see if the experimental
results can be fit for the theoretical results. A variety of thermal
conductivity inserts/additives have been discussed.
Models suited for each application cir cum stances must be
brought out to predict the thermal behavior.Inpractical applications, significant advances of thermal conductivity are still needed
to make it sufficiently efficient in meeting the requirements of
most market applications. carbon/metal promoters,
other novel thermal conductivity enhancement materials are
meant to be discovered. And system aticevaluation for different
promote materials and manufacture processes are looking forward
to be presented to help with the heat transfer of the PCM for
thermal storage.