Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Paksoy H. Ö. (Yürütücü)
TÜBİTAK Uluslararası İkili İşbirliği Projesi, 2019 - 2021
Over 3.4 million registered refugees are living in Turkey making it the largest host of refugees in the world. Currently there are more than 20 tent or container type camps for Syrian and other refugees that are located in 10 provinces of Turkey. High daytime temperatures in summer periods (40 °C or above) and low temperatures in winter seasons (0 °C or below) are typical for many of these regions. Currently, gas-oil heaters are commonly used for heating in refugee camps. Air conditioning usually is not used due to high costs but, in rare cases, conventional electrically driven air conditioning systems are installed. Overall, operating fossil fuel and electricity based heating and air-conditioning is expensive and also characterised with a relatively low efficiency in using primary energy carriers. The aim for our collaboration is shared R & D of a novel, simple in design exploitation and maintenance of Mobile Heat or Cold Latent Thermal Storage system for meeting the energy demands of shelters in refugee camps in Turkey. The following are the key project objectives:
1.To conduct feasibility assessment for wider implementation of the THERMO-RELIEF system as a viable product for application in refugee camps across various geographical regions. To finalise the selection of Phase Change Materials (PCMs).
2.To enhance thermophysical properties of selected PCMs.
3.To develop modular design of Heat or Cold Latent Thermal Storage based on enhanced PCMs and storage tanks with built in air/PCM heat exchangers for high performance operation
4.To conduct field tests to evaluate practical performance of the systems in the refugee camp in Adana.
5.To carry out final system design improvements for large scale production.
A number of organic PCMs were identified with high heat of fusion for heat storage at temperatures of 55-65 °C and for storing cold at temperatures of 10-17 °C at acceptable price. However these PCMs have low thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/(m K) and this should be enhanced by factor of 10-14 which is also subject of this project. Enhancement of PCM thermal properties, especially the heat conductivity will be achieved by using Expandable Graphite as an additive. The selected organic PCMs will be used to prepare composites with various weight fractions of Expanded Graphite additives.(1-8 wt%). The characterisation of their properties will be carried out by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, KD2 Pro thermal conductivity analyser and viscometry. Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy will be deployed to carry out micro-structural and morphological analysis of PCM composites will be performed to quantify influence of such parameters on properties. Potential for intermolecular interaction between carbon particles and organic PCMs will be investigated. The above investigations are necessary to define the best techniques for preparation of PCM composites with advanced thermophysical properties. Optimal design of the latent heat thermal storage will be selected by conduction full geometry three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling of mass and heat transfer during charging and discharging the heat or cold thermal storages. Outcomes will be used to pinpoint the geometry and dimensions of the system with highest possible performance and efficiency.
Innovation introduced in this collaborative project between Cukurova and Northumbria Universities will contribute to R&D on renewable based, high efficient heating and cooling topics. Sharing of new research environments, facilities, knowledge, and expertise on thermal energy storage will enhance the quality of research of these universities and enable them to translate research and innovation into economic and societal benefit of urgent needs of refugee camps and disaster relief activities in general. The developed novel and advanced system will be field tested in a refugee camp near Adana. UK and Turkish companies, which are Associated Partners in the Project will commercialise the product. The immediate impact of the this novel product will be in significant improvement and expansion of the scale of thermal management of tents/container or other types of shelters in international disaster relief programs in Turkey and other countries. The product can also be used in rural and urban areas with limited infrastructures. The use of local and renewable energy resources by decreasing the dependence on foreign imported energy resources will improve economic development and social welfare.