Experimental Study on Food Delivery Boxes Utilizing Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

The temperature of food and the consumer experience in short-distance food delivery are closely linked. Insufficient temperatures upon arrival diminish consumer satisfaction. Research focuses on enhancing thermal insulation of delivery containers to slow temperature decrease during transportation. Phase change energy storage materials, capable of releasing or absorbing heat during phase transition, find wide application in energy storage, recovery, and battery thermal management. In the food industry, phase change materials are commonly used for cold chain transportation and storage. Selecting suitable materials maintains ambient temperature within delivery boxes, slowing temperature reduction. This study utilized paraffin with a phase transition range of 51–54 ℃ to fabricate a heat storage bag. Temperature monitoring and comparison with scenarios without the bag were conducted. Results demonstrate the bag’s effectiveness in reducing temperature decline during transportation.