HELP! Choosing Between Paraffin and Wood for Heat Storage

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Paraffin is preferred over wood for heat storage due to its higher specific heat capacity of 2900 J/kgC compared to wood's 1750 J/kgC. This means paraffin can store more heat energy per unit mass, allowing for more effective heat retention. Additionally, paraffin has a high latent heat of fusion, which enables it to maintain a constant temperature during phase change, prolonging heat release. This characteristic makes paraffin particularly effective for applications requiring stable heat output. Overall, paraffin's thermal properties make it a superior choice for heat storage solutions.
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HELP! Thermodynamics question

Homework Statement


Which would you chose between paraffin & wood to make heat storage? Why?
specific heat of paraffin = 2900 J/kgC
specific heat of wood = 1750 J/KgC2. The attempt at a solution

They say that the answer is paraffin but I don't know why. Could anyone help me to deal with this problem?
 
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laramman2 said:

Homework Statement


Which would you chose between paraffin & wood to make heat storage? Why?
specific heat of paraffin = 2900 J/kgC
specific heat of wood = 1750 J/KgC


2. The attempt at a solution

They say that the answer is paraffin but I don't know why. Could anyone help me to deal with this problem?
For effective heat storage you want the temperature of the substance to decline as slowly as possible as heat is removed.

Paraffin is also good because it has a very high latent heat of fusion, so if you heat it above its melting point it will stay at same temperature (ie its melting point) for a long time as the heat flows out of it.

AM
 


Andrew Mason said:
For effective heat storage you want the temperature of the substance to decline as slowly as possible as heat is removed.

Paraffin is also good because it has a very high latent heat of fusion, so if you heat it above its melting point it will stay at same temperature (ie its melting point) for a long time as the heat flows out of it.

AM

Thank you very much :)
 

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