Another possible heat storage medium is offered by recently developed phase change materials (PCM), (Lane, 1980; Abhat, 1983). Their higher
volumetric heat content allows for more compact arrangements. Several applications
to greenhouse heating have been reported in the literature: Jaffrin
and Cadier ( 1982 ) described the performances of a solar greenhouse equipped
with a storage system using over-hydrated CHLIAROLITHE (calcium chloride
hexahydrate compound patented by Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifique (CNRS) and Solvay & Cie ) encapsulated into flat plastic pouches
and characterized by a phase change temperature range situated between 25 °C
(completely liquid ) and 15 ° C (half crystallization); Nishina and Takakura
( 1984 ) tested several PCM (Glauber salt, polyethylene glycol, Chliarolithe )