Optimization of DSC measurements for organic phase change materials

Phase Change Materials (PCM) have gained popularity for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) in several areas, like cold chain and building heating and cooling, etc. This work focuses on optimizing and later standardizing thermal analysis of organic PCM using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). For this, dodecane, and hexadecane were used as PCM, with melting points of -10 degrees C and 18 degrees C respectively. A set of experiments was planned using Design of Experiments (DOE), and accordingly, several DSC measurements using the heat flux method were employed to analyze the effect of parameters such as baseline shifts, ramp rates, operating temperatures, duration of isothermal segments, sample mass, and crucibles. The results show that precise enthalpy and onset values are achieved using a ramp rate of 0.5 K/min or less, duration of isothermal segments of 5 min, sample mass of <10 mg, and a temperature window of +/- 20 degrees C from melting points. Using appropriate parameters, DSC is an effective way to characterize a PCM.