Corrosion of metal and polymer containers for use in PCM cold storage

Abstract

Transport and storage of low temperature sensitive products is an issue worldwide due to changes of the lifestyle and population increase. In the recent years, thermal energy storage (TES) using phase change materials (PCMs) is being highly studied and developed for cold storage applications. Furthermore, the PCM are normally encapsulated in containers and added in the available systems, usually in food processes. Therefore safety constraints as the compatibility of the PCM with other materials have to take into account. Hence the main goal of the paper is to study the corrosion effect of different metals and polymer materials in contact with some PCM used in low temperature applications. Results show that copper and carbon steel must be avoided as PCM containers, and aluminium is not recommended; stainless steel 316 is recommended when in contact with the tested PCM. Moreover, PP, PS, PET, and HDPE are not affected by a process of degradation and are also compatible with the PCM studied.

The work is partially funded by the Spanish Government (ENE2008-06687-C02-01/CON and ENE2011-22722) and the European Union (EFFIBUILDINGS). The authors would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research group GREA (2009 SGR 534). Eduard Oró would like to thank University of Lleida for his research fellowship.