Latent Heat Storage (LHS) with Phase-Change Materials (PCMs) represents a high energy density storage technology which could be applied in a variety of applications such as waste heat recovery and integration of renewable energy technologies in energy systems. To increase the sustainability of these storage solutions, PCMs have to be developed with particular regard to bio-origin and biodegradability. Triglycerides represent an interesting class of esters as the main constituents of animal and vegetable fats, with attractive thermal properties. In order to be used as PCMs, the thermal behaviour of triglycerides has to be fully understood, as in some cases they have been reported to show polymorphism and supercooling. This study assesses the suitability of triglycerides as PCMs by reviewing the literature published so far on their behaviour and properties. In particular, melting points, enthalpies of fusion, polymorphism, thermal conductivities, heat capacities and thermal cycling stabilities are considered, with a focus on LHS and thermal energy storage applications. In addition, the efforts conducted regarding modelling and the prediction of melting points and enthalpies based on chemical structures are summarized and assessed.

中文翻译：

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甘油三酯作为新型相变材料：对其热性能的回顾和评估

具有相变材料 (PCM) 的潜热存储 (LHS) 代表了一种高能量密度存储技术，可应用于多种应用，例如废热回收和能源系统中可再生能源技术的集成。为了提高这些存储解决方案的可持续性，必须特别考虑生物来源和生物降解性来开发 PCM。甘油三酯是一类有趣的酯类，是动物和植物脂肪的主要成分，具有吸引人的热性能。为了用作 PCM，必须充分了解甘油三酯的热行为，因为在某些情况下，据报道它们显示出多晶现象和过冷现象。本研究通过回顾迄今为止发表的有关其行为和特性的文献来评估甘油三酯作为 PCM 的适用性。特别地，考虑了熔点、熔化焓、多态性、热导率、热容量和热循环稳定性，重点是 LHS 和热能存储应用。此外，还总结和评估了在基于化学结构的建模和熔点和焓预测方面所做的工作。