Supervisors - Prof. Colin Pulham, University of Edinburgh and Prof. Russell Morris, University of St. Andrews
PhD Student - Rowen Clark, University of Edinburgh
Status - Closed
The project is broken down into the following major tasks:
(a) An extensive literature and technology survey in order to identify and assess a range of possible approaches and ensure that the PhD project makes a significant contribution to the field of heat storage.
(b) Automated screening of binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures of salt hydrates (including organic components) in order to map out compositions with desirable properties.
(c) Mapping of thermochemical heat-storage materials (TCMs) with desirable properties, including the custom synthesis of new framework materials that are optimised as heat-storage materials.
(d) Full characterisation of candidate materials using a suite of physical techniques. These will include: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), determination of latent and specific heat capacities, variable temperature powder and single crystal x-ray diffraction including use of synchrotron sources, variable temperature Raman and infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, adsorption measurements, thermal conductivity measurements.
(e) Incorporation of candidate materials into Sunamp heat batteries for large scale performance testing, especially heat-storage capacities, heat-transfer rates, accelerated lifetime testing, monitoring of mechanical stresses and fatigue associated with cycling, and long-term compatibility of PCMs with construction materials, e.g. seals, catalytic converters.