Development of PCM air filter and its application to a constant temperature air supply system

DEVELOPMENT OF A PCM AIR FILTER AND ITS APPLICATION TO A CONSTANT The authors have developed a PCM air filter which stabilizes the temperature of air passing though it. This PCM filter has great potential for applications that require a constant temperature air supply. In addition, it can simplify temperature control systems and can contribute to energy conservation. The material in the filter consists of sponge fibers coated with paraffin followed by a coating of resin to prevent leakage and vaporization of the paraffin. In this article, we describe the thermal properties of this PCM air filter and the measurement of the available enthalpy. We also describe experimental examination of the extent to which this filter can stabilize air temperature for different cycles and amplitudes of inlet air temperature. We found that given a detention time of air in the filter of 1.25 seconds, the outlet temperature was effectively stable when the cycle time of the inlet temperature variations was less than 0.5 h and the amplitudes were within the phase change zone.