Comparison of different modelings of pure substances during melting in a DSC experiment

Current challenges in the energy storage often involve phase change materials. Therefore, there is a real need for accurate determinations of their intrinsic properties. Regularly, differential scanning calorimetry is used to perform such a goal. Nevertheless, to obtain fair results, one needs to consider the transfer phenomenon inside the sample and at its boundary. This implies that the geometry should be known exactly, which is usually not the case. In this paper, we propose a way to avoid such issues, by considering an equivalent spherical model. Our final goal is to obtain a simple and fast method so as to plan future identifications of the thermodynamical properties of phase change materials.

► Raw analysis of thermograms for identification of PCM may lead to spurious results. ► Accurate analysis require the knowledge of exact geometery which is generally unknown. ► This issue may be overcome by choosing an equivalent problem. ► Thermodynamical properties are preserved with this method. ► Faster and simpler identification might be planned.