Study on preparation and thermal performance tests of attapulgite-based phase change composites for energy storage

The attapulgite clay with pore-network structures has favorable adsorption performance toward organic materials. According to its adsorption properties，the attapulgite clay was compounded with paraffin wax to produce phase change composites for energy storage (PCCES). As the paraffin was adsorbed into the pores and changed phase in a fixed space，the problems like leakage or flowage were avoided. The experimental results show that the optimal adsorption effect emerges when the mass ratio of at tapulgite containing 80% palygorskite to paraffin wax is 2∶1. The DSC tests indicated that the quantity of composites latent heat is related with the proportion of at tapulgite and paraffin. The quantity of palygorskite in the composites is the main factor to affect the ability of adsorption. It can be learned from the temperature circle tests that the PCCES can absorb certain amount of heat when the environmental temperature rises，and release it during the cooling process. These properties may be developed and find applications in the energy saving field.