Work

Bio-based pomegranate peel/paraffin wax phase change composites for enhanced thermal energy storage

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Composites incorporating Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have regained interest for their multifunctional potential in advanced thermal management systems. These materials provide a sustainable and efficient solution for thermal energy storage, offering thin, lightweight, mechanically robust, and thermally insulating or conductive structures. However, leakage in the molten state remains a critical barrier to large-scale deployment. To address this limitation, we developed a low-cost, bio-sourced composite matrix using pomegranate peel (PPM), an abundant agricultural waste, as a porous support for PCM encapsulation. The selected PCM, paraffin wax (PW) with a melting point of approximately 60 °C, was impregnated into the PPM matrix using vacuum-assisted techniques. Comprehensive micro- and macroscopic characterizations, including both static and dynamic analyses, were performed on raw materials and the resulting composites to assess the effects of processing. The results reveal a strong physical affinity between the fossil-based PCM and the biosourced matrix, enabling a high PCM loading rate of 52 wt%. This loading corresponds to a theoretical encapsulation ratio of 54%, which aligns closely with experimental data (R² = 99.77%). The PPM/PW composite reached a latent heat of 68 J/g, and exhibited excellent mechanical strength, with a compressive force of 226 ± 1.26 N and stress of 2.9 MPa for particle sizes below 125 µm. Furthermore, the most promising composite was tested in a pilot-scale heat exchanger, demonstrating significant potential for mid-temperature thermal energy storage and management. This leakage-resistant, eco-friendly composite derived from agricultural waste, offers a viable pathway toward sustainable thermal energy systems.

Source: Results in Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.106317

Authors: Samia Ben-Ali, Hanen Nouri, Najoua Mekaddem, Khadija El-Arbi, Philippe Legros, Fouzia Achchaq