Lauryl-Stearyl Alcohol is a blend of two fatty alcohols, Lauryl Alcohol (1-Dodecanol) and Stearyl Alcohol (1-Octadecanol), known for their combined properties in various applications. This mixture typically consists of 90% Lauryl Alcohol and 10% Stearyl Alcohol, forming a eutectic composition that enhances its thermal properties for use as a Phase Change Material (PCM) in cold thermal energy storage.
Lauryl Alcohol, a colorless liquid derived from the reduction of fatty acids of coconut oil, and Stearyl Alcohol, a white flaky solid at room temperature, are both saturated fatty alcohols. The blend has a melting point of 22.93°C and a latent heat of fusion of 205.79 J/g, making it suitable for thermal energy storage and indoor comfort in buildings. The thermophysical properties of this blend are carefully examined, and it has been found to have good thermal conductivity, up to 0.18 W/m·K, which is essential for effective heat transfer in PCM applications.
The Lauryl-Stearyl Alcohol blend is prepared at its eutectic composition, which is determined experimentally, and it has been shown to perform successfully in charge-discharge studies in a thermal energy storage integrated prototype test chamber. This indicates its potential use in sustainable buildings for energy storage and enhancing indoor comfort.
In summary, Lauryl-Stearyl Alcohol is a versatile blend of fatty alcohols with specific thermal properties that make it an effective material for cold thermal energy storage, particularly in building applications where thermal comfort and energy efficiency are of utmost importance.