Pengaruh Variasi Komposisi LDPE dan Asam Stearat terhadap Kinerja Thermal Energy Storage sebagai Phase Change Material

Abstrak

The increasing demand for energy has encouraged the development of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology as an efficient solution for thermal energy storage. One of the most widely investigated materials for TES applications is Phase Change Material (PCM); however, its application is still limited by low thermal conductivity and leakage during the phase transition process. This study aimed to characterize a composite PCM based on Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and stearic acid for TES applications. In addition, this study investigated the effect of LDPE stearic acid composition on temperature distribution, charging and discharging characteristics, and thermal energy storage capacity within a single Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system. The research was conducted experimentally using three composition ratios: 85% LDPE : 15% stearic acid, 75% LDPE : 25% stearic acid, and 65% LDPE : 35% stearic acid. The thermal characteristics of the composite were evaluated through charging and discharging tests. The results showed that all compositions were capable of absorbing, storing, and releasing thermal energy during the charging and discharging processes. The 85% LDPE : 15% stearic acid composition exhibited the highest thermal energy storage capacity of 72,6 kJ and the longest heat release duration of 105 minutes. These findings indicate that the LDPE and stearic acid composite has significant potential as a PCM for TES applications, with the 85% LDPE : 15% stearic acid composition demonstrating the best overall thermal performance