Thermophysical properties of some organic phase change materials for latent heat storage. A review

• This paper summarizes the thermo-physical properties of more 200 organic substances.
• Heat capacity, thermal conductivity and diffusivity, long-term reliability are also given.
• Suitable PCMs are: n-alkanes, paraffins, fatty acids and esters, polyols and some alcohols.
• All studied organic PCMs are practically characterized by good long-term reliability.

Past three decades are characterized by intensive investigations and the development of phase change materials for thermal energy storage. Latent heat storage is one of the most perspective methods of increasing efficiency in energy conservation and effective using sources of heat. Among available latent heat storage materials, the organic materials draw the attention of many researchers. It should be noted that the development of phase change materials advances the investigations of their thermophysical properties sufficiently. Knowledge of thermophysical properties is necessary condition for practical applications. The data on thermophysical properties of potential latent heat storage materials is dissipated in many scientific sources that are inaccessible, in many cases, for potential consumers of phase change thermal energy storage materials. This paper summarizes the results of previous investigations on transitions temperatures, heat of fusion, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity, long-term characteristics of many organic substances, their compositions, and compounds.