My research interest is developing high performance phase change thermal storage systems (PCMs) in a range of applications.
I selected the University of South Australia (UniSA) to pursue this research because it has been conducting research into PCMs for over 12 years and they have the experience and know-how for developing new PCMs. Recently UniSA provided an infrastructure grant totalling $210,000 for upgrading the facility for developing and testing PCMs.
In my PhD studies I developed a prototype PCM storage system that is currently being commercialised for mobile refrigeration units. I decided to continue my research on PCMs in solar thermal applications because a phase change thermal storage system will help to reduce the cost of the storage system and thus reduce the levelised cost of energy.
PCM is a substance with a high heat of fusion which, melting and solidifying at certain temperatures, is capable of storing or releasing large amounts of thermal energy.
My project proposes that PCMs can be used as the storage material in the solar thermal storage system.
When solar radiation is available, the heat energy obtained from the solar receiver can be stored in the PCM by changing the phase of the PCM from solid to liquid. Later on, when there is higher electricity demand or tariffs or during cloudy periods, the stored heat can be recovered and used for steam generation.
Thermal energy storage technology allows improved dispatchability of the concentrated solar power plant and increases the plant’s annual capacity factor. The size and cost of current storage systems can be reduced by using PCMs, thus reducing the levelised cost of energy.
The funding provided by ASI allows me to continue my research career in Australia and give me a chance to direct my own research interest.
I recently reviewed the literature on high temperature phase change thermal storage systems. The review paper, which is titled “Review on storage materials and thermal performance enhancement techniques for high temperature phase change thermal storage systems” has been accepted for publication by Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
Ming Liu's story (PDF 886KB)
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