Characterization of the Thermophysical Properties of Paraffin-Based Nanocomposite Containing Alumina and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Paraffin wax stores a large amount of latent heat during its transition from a solid to a liquid. The low thermal conductivity of paraffin limits the rate at which heat can be transferred. An attempt was made to address this problem by incorporating nanomaterials with high thermal conductivity nanoparticles into the Paraffin. Several concentrations of alumina (Al₂O₃) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles were added to the paraffin in mass fractions of 1, 2, and 3%. Iraqi Paraffin wax, as side product from the petroleum refining, has been used in this study. The results show that Paraffin’s thermal conductivity improved by 37.1%, 42.3%, and 60.32% when Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were added at 1%, 2%, and 3%, respectively; while same added percentage of nano-Fe₂O₃ led to thermal conductivity improvements of 29%, 34.16%, and 48.98%, respectively. It noticed that the Paraffin color was changed from light brown to white after nano-Al₂O₃ was added and to black after nano-Fe₂O₃ was added. There was a slight increase in the density and viscosity of the produced nanocomposites. When nano-Fe₂O₃ is added, the melting point and solidification point decrease by one 1.0 ℃ and by 1.0 to 1.5 ℃ when nano-Al₂O₃ is added. There was a decrease in the phase change period of the composite samples examined. Tests of stability over 300 melting-solidification cycles showed high stability. For the compound material to remain stable, it is recommended to repeat the mixing process annually.