Scholarlink

Cold storage (CS) is vital to cold chain logistics but remain challenged by high energy consumption and operational costs. Phase Change Materials (PCMs), due to their high latent heat storage capacity and near-isothermal behaviour, have shown strong potential in enhancing thermal performance and enabling load shifting. This review examines recent developments in PCM application for CS from three perspectives: thermal suitability, system integration, and control strategies. Candidate PCMs are screened based on typical temperature zones, and both passive (e.g., envelope and shelf integration) and active (e.g., incorporation into refrigeration loops) configurations are compared. Particular attention is given to Model Predictive Control (MPC), which offers enhanced optimisation capabilities for PCM-enhanced systems. The review outlines various MPC architectures, including centralized, distributed, and hierarchical forms, and discusses advanced optimisation methods such as ADMM and Nash equilibrium for addressing system nonlinearity and coupling. Despite demonstrated benefits in energy and cost savings, challenges remain in accurate PCM modelling, real-time optimisation, and system-level coordination. Future work should focus on the co-design of control and material systems and prioritize validation under realistic operational conditions to unlock the full potential of PCM-integrated CS.

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

A Review of Applications and Implementation of Phase Change Materials in Cold Storage Facilities

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

查看全文
  • Zhuoqun Xing,
  • Yiqun Pan,
  • Rongxin Yin,
  • Nan Zhou

摘要

Cold storage (CS) is vital to cold chain logistics but remain challenged by high energy consumption and operational costs. Phase Change Materials (PCMs), due to their high latent heat storage capacity and near-isothermal behaviour, have shown strong potential in enhancing thermal performance and enabling load shifting. This review examines recent developments in PCM application for CS from three perspectives: thermal suitability, system integration, and control strategies. Candidate PCMs are screened based on typical temperature zones, and both passive (e.g., envelope and shelf integration) and active (e.g., incorporation into refrigeration loops) configurations are compared. Particular attention is given to Model Predictive Control (MPC), which offers enhanced optimisation capabilities for PCM-enhanced systems. The review outlines various MPC architectures, including centralized, distributed, and hierarchical forms, and discusses advanced optimisation methods such as ADMM and Nash equilibrium for addressing system nonlinearity and coupling. Despite demonstrated benefits in energy and cost savings, challenges remain in accurate PCM modelling, real-time optimisation, and system-level coordination. Future work should focus on the co-design of control and material systems and prioritize validation under realistic operational conditions to unlock the full potential of PCM-integrated CS.