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Summary: Composite expended graphite (EG)/Ba(OH)2·8H2O form‐stable phase change material (PCM) is prepared with porous adsorption method in this study to solve the problem of the leakage risk in the application process based on barium hydroxide octahydrate. In addition, the thermal properties and stability have been measured and verified. Thermal conductivity of each group composite material was enhanced by about two to four times, while the addition has little negative effect on the other properties. With microscopic features being characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the experimental result demonstrates that the composite material with 7 wt% of EG is optimal to be a saturated state between two phases. After the thermal cyclings of 100, 300, and 500 times, thermal properties did not change dramatically, which can be used as an ideal material for solar thermal storage system within finite thermal cyclings. In order to simulate the operating condition of solar energy or waste heat storage, the composite material was encapsulated in the heat storage unit with pipe bundle, and heat storage/release experiences were performed to test the performance of the material and hot water supply. The results indicate that the composite material is qualified to storage and release sufficient heat. The experimental data can provide necessary technical reference for engineering design and effect prediction in practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molten barium hydroxide (BHO) with strong alkalinity will absorb CO 2 in the air and denaturing part of BHO, so it is very important to treat it with liquid seal. In this paper, the effects of liquid seals with different cooling methods and white suspended substances on the phase change process of BHO were compared for phase change experiments, so as to study the influencing factors of powdery expansion of BHO and the crystal crystallization mode. The experimental results show that the probability of powdery expansion of BHO increases with the decrease of cooling rate. Liquid paraffin and high temperature silicone oil can play the role of air insulation, but will make BHO supercooling and powder expansion probability increase, some white powder suspended between molten BHO and liquid sealing material (BaCO 3 attached to tiny bubbles) has a certain promoting effect on nucleating crystallization of BHO, and the supercooling degree of BHO without white powder will increase again, the surface of the BHO crystal shows a tight structure around the loose and porous center, known as a branch cavity structure, which becomes apparent as the cooling rate increases. This experiment provides a reference for the study of phase change materials in the field of phase change energy storage. • The cause and influencing factors of powdered expansion of BHO were discovered. • The effect of liquid seal on the phase transformation process of barium hydroxide octahydrate was discovered. • The crystallization mode and macroscopic crystal structure of barium hydroxide octahydrate were discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]