Phase Change Materials: sugar_alcohol
Phase change material (PCM) properties — melting point, latent heat, density, thermal conductivity, specific heat, and cycle life for paraffins, salt hydrates, fatty acids, and eutectics
| pcm category | material id | chemical formula | latent heat kJ kg (kJ/kg) | material name | max cycles | melting point C (C) | notes | phase change type | thermal conductivity liquid W mK (W/mK) | thermal conductivity solid W mK (W/mK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sugar_alcohol | d_mannitol | C6H14O6 | 327 | D-Mannitol | 200 | 167 | Highest Tm (167°C) of common sugar alcohol PCMs; suitable for solar concentrating collector storage and industrial process heat. CAUTION: Significant thermal degradation reported above 167°C — latent heat drops from 327 to 199 kJ/kg after 24h at 180°C and to 95 kJ/kg after 120h (Barreneche et al. 2013 Applied Energy). Must be contained below 175°C maximum. Bio-based; non-toxic. Polymorphism (3+ forms) complicates DSC characterisation. | solid-liquid | 0.28 | 0.57 |
| sugar_alcohol | d_sorbitol | C6H14O6 | 177.3 | D-Sorbitol | 300 | 101 | Tm=101°C; lower latent heat than erythritol or xylitol but lower cost. Significant amorphous character after melting → low crystallization rate, hysteresis, and reduced conductivity vs crystalline sugar alcohols. Prone to supercooling and may form glassy solid below Tg≈−2°C. Used in confectionery and pharmaceutical industry; food-safe and non-toxic. | solid-liquid | 0.26 | 0.36 |
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