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Advances in Latent Thermal Energy Storage: Materials, Modeling, and System...
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Advances in Latent Thermal Energy Storage: Materials, Modeling, and System Integration

A special issue of Thermo (ISSN 2673-7264).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 August 2026 | Viewed by 2592

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mateo Kirinčić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: thermodynamics; thermal management; latent thermal energy storage; heat exchangers; renewable energy; numerical modeling
Dr. Paolo Blecich

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: zero-energy buildings; low-carbon economy; renewable energy; carbon capture and storage (CCS); energy conversion and management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Latent thermal energy storage (LTES) systems, which harness the phase-change behavior of specialized materials to absorb and release heat, are poised to transform the flexibility and efficiency of renewable energy installations, building climate control, and industrial waste-heat recovery. At the heart of these systems lie phase-change materials (PCMs) and their engineered composites, ranging from nano-enhanced and encapsulated formulations to bio-inspired mixtures, whose thermophysical properties must be precisely tailored to achieve optimal performance. The need to overcome the inherently low thermal conductivity of many PCMs has inspired a wealth of innovative solutions, including high-conductivity fillers, finned configurations, and porous support matrices.

Simultaneously, advanced modeling and simulation techniques, encompassing multiphysics computational fluid dynamics, phase-change kinetics, and numerical optimization, are enabling researchers to predict and refine LTES behavior under realistic operating conditions. Integrating these storage units into solar-thermal collectors, building envelopes, industrial processes, and hybrid energy systems demands rigorous experimental validation, techno-economic assessment, and life-cycle analysis, as well as smart control strategies. Pilot-scale demonstrations and field trials across buildings, power plants, and district energy networks will provide invaluable case studies.

This Special Issue invites original research articles, comprehensive reviews, concise communications, and forward-looking perspectives that collectively advance materials innovation, system optimization, and application-driven insights in latent thermal energy storage.

Dr. Mateo Kirinčić
Dr. Paolo Blecich
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Thermo is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • latent thermal energy storage
  • phase change materials
  • thermal conductivity enhancement
  • multiphysics modeling
  • system integration and applications

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 2059 KB  
Article
An Experimental Study on the Thermal Behavior of PCM Plaster-Lined Model House Walls During a Whole Spring Season Influenced by Their Orientation
by Mónika Ferencz, Barna Nagy, János Gyenis and Tivadar Feczkó
Thermo 2026, 6(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo6020023 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 294
Abstract
This study investigates how an internal PCM–gypsum plaster lining modifies orientation-dependent heat transfer through lightweight model house envelopes over a full spring season. Two identical container houses (reference and PCM plastered) were monitored for 105 days under free-floating conditions, and surface temperatures of [...] Read more.
This study investigates how an internal PCM–gypsum plaster lining modifies orientation-dependent heat transfer through lightweight model house envelopes over a full spring season. Two identical container houses (reference and PCM plastered) were monitored for 105 days under free-floating conditions, and surface temperatures of all opaque elements were processed into characteristic temperature differences and corresponding heat flux densities at daily extrema. The analysis showed that wall and roof orientation strongly governed both the magnitude and variability of these characteristic heat fluxes. West-facing façades and the roof exhibited the highest values due to solar gains and radiative exchanges, while the floor and north wall remained comparatively stable. Under conditions of nearly constant mean wall temperature, the characteristic flux framework revealed that the PCM lining systematically reshaped the temporal distribution of heat transfer and reduced the effective net energy exchange between indoor space and outdoor environment, most notably on solar-exposed west and south walls and on the roof. These orientation-resolved heat flux indicators provided a physically transparent basis for deciding on which envelope surfaces PCM integration could be most advantageous and where its application could be omitted without significantly compromising thermal performance under similar climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Latent Thermal Energy Storage: Materials, Modeling, and System Integration)
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23 pages, 1585 KB  
Article
Analysis of Thermodynamic Processes in Thermal Energy Storage Vessels
by Laszlo Garbai, Robert Santa and Mladen Bošnjaković
Thermo 2026, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo6010005 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 698
Abstract
To balance the quantity of heat generated and consumed, thermal energy storage systems are crucial for power plants and district heating systems. Particularly when phase transitions and pressure variations are not adequately covered in the existing literature, their work frequently takes place under [...] Read more.
To balance the quantity of heat generated and consumed, thermal energy storage systems are crucial for power plants and district heating systems. Particularly when phase transitions and pressure variations are not adequately covered in the existing literature, their work frequently takes place under complicated, changing temperature and fluid dynamic settings. The goal of this research is to create a thermodynamic model that incorporates the effects of steam condensation, steam injection, and heating failures to describe the transient behaviour of temperature and pressure in pressure vessels containing single-phase and two-phase fluids. To account for nonlinear, temperature-dependent steam properties, as well as initial and boundary constraints, the study proposes energy balance models for hot water and saturated steam cases. Numerical simulations evaluating sensitivity to parameter changes are presented alongside analytical solutions for isochoric and isobaric systems. The model also includes direct steam injection heating and the use of a heat exchanger. It explains the changes in temperature and pressure that occur in thermal energy storage systems over time, including significant events such as steam cushion collapse and condensate drainage. According to the sensitivity analysis, the main factors influencing the system’s safety limitations and transient dynamic phenomena are thermal power, heat exchanger capacity, and thermal insulation efficiency. The proposed thermodynamic model closes a major gap in the literature by providing reliable predictions of the transient behavior needed for the safe design and reliable operation of pressure vessels utilized for heat storage in district heating networks. This model can be used by engineers and researchers to optimize system design and steer clear of risky operational situations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Latent Thermal Energy Storage: Materials, Modeling, and System Integration)
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21 pages, 5888 KB  
Article
Performance Enhancement of Latent Heat Storage Using Extended-Y-Fin Designs
by Aurang Zaib, Abdur Rehman Mazhar, Cheng Zeng, Tariq Talha and Hasan Aftab Saeed
Thermo 2026, 6(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo6010001 - 26 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 767
Abstract
The low thermal conductivity of phase-change materials (PCMs) remains a key limitation in latent heat thermal energy storage systems, leading to slow melting and incomplete energy recovery. To address this challenge, this study explores extended Y-Fin geometries as a novel heat transfer enhancement [...] Read more.
The low thermal conductivity of phase-change materials (PCMs) remains a key limitation in latent heat thermal energy storage systems, leading to slow melting and incomplete energy recovery. To address this challenge, this study explores extended Y-Fin geometries as a novel heat transfer enhancement strategy within a concentric-tube latent heat thermal energy storage configuration. Six fin designs, derived from a baseline Y-shaped structure, were numerically compared to assess their influence on the melting and solidification behavior of stearic acid. A two-dimensional transient enthalpy–porosity model was developed and rigorously verified through grid, temporal, and residual convergence analyses. The results indicate that fin geometry plays a critical role in enhancing heat transfer within the PCM domain. The extended Y-Fin configuration achieved the fastest melting time, 28% shorter than the baseline Y-Fin case, due to improved thermal penetration and bottom-region accessibility. Additionally, the thermal performance was evaluated using nano-enhanced PCMs (10% Al2O3 and CuO in stearic acid) and paraffin wax. The addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles significantly improved thermal conductivity, while paraffin wax exhibited the shortest melting duration due to its lower melting point and latent heat. This study introduces an innovative fin architecture combining extended conduction paths and improved convective reach for efficient latent heat storage systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Latent Thermal Energy Storage: Materials, Modeling, and System Integration)
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