Thermal and mechanical properties of mortar incorporated with paraffin/palm oil fuel ash composite

The aim of this research was to develop a form-stable phase change material by incorporating paraffin (PA) into palm oil fuel ash (POFA) through direct impregnation. The developed composite was characterized using Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the microstructure and chemical property. The thermal properties of the composite was determined using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal reliability and thermal stability were assessed using Thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) and thermal cycling tests. Then, the developed form-stable composite was incorporated into cement mortar to evaluate their effects on compressive strength and thermal energy storage ability. From SEM results, PA was absorbed into pores of POFA. FTIR results showed there was no chemical interaction between PA and POFA. Latent heat of the composite was 13.34 J/g and 13.19 J/g for melting and solidification respectively. TGA and thermal cycling tests have validated that the composite was thermally stable and reliable. Incorporation of PA-POFA composite into cement mortar reduced compressive strength significantly. Incorporation of sufficient quantity of PA-POFA composite into cement mortar could increase thermal inertia and minimize temperature fluctuations of the mortar and model test room.