US20120018116A1 - Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material - Google Patents
Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120018116A1 US20120018116A1 US13/187,398 US201113187398A US2012018116A1 US 20120018116 A1 US20120018116 A1 US 20120018116A1 US 201113187398 A US201113187398 A US 201113187398A US 2012018116 A1 US2012018116 A1 US 2012018116A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- phase change
- heat transfer
- transfer fluid
- tank
- change material
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/02—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using latent heat
- F28D20/023—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using latent heat the latent heat storage material being enclosed in granular particles or dispersed in a porous, fibrous or cellular structure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K5/00—Heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants; Materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion
- C09K5/02—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used
- C09K5/06—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to solid or vice versa
- C09K5/063—Materials absorbing or liberating heat during crystallisation; Heat storage materials
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/02—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using latent heat
- F28D20/028—Control arrangements therefor
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/14—Thermal energy storage
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy.
- the invention pertains to an apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy from an encapsulated phase change material.
- Methods for encapsulating said phase change material in a capsule are also provided.
- Thermal energy storage systems incorporating phase change material are well known in the art. Such systems generally include a tank containing the phase change material. Thermal energy, when added to the phase change material, causes the phase change material to absorb at least some thermal energy in an amount equal to its heat of fusion and accordingly change phase from solid to liquid. Thermal energy, when removed from the phase change material, causes the phase change material to release its heat of fusion and accordingly change phase from liquid to solid.
- phase change material In prior art thermal energy storage systems, generally one or more heat exchangers submerged within the phase change material are used for adding and/or removing the thermal energy. As is well known in the art, removal of thermal energy from the phase change material causes the phase change material to solidify on the heat exchanger surfaces and consequentially deteriorates the heat exchanger effectiveness.
- phase change material does not solidify on one or more heat exchangers as the phase change material releases its heat of fusion in the form of thermal energy extracted from the thermal energy storage system.
- An embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy from a phase change material encapsulated in a capsule.
- a plurality of such capsules are submerged in a heat transfer fluid contained within a tank.
- the heat transfer fluid functions as a medium for transferring thermal energy to and/or from the encapsulated phase change material.
- Thermal energy added to the heat transfer fluid by an external means is transferred to the phase change material within the capsules causing the phase change material to change from solid to liquid.
- the phase change material releases thermal energy in the process of changing from liquid to solid.
- the released thermal energy is added to the heat transfer fluid and transported to an external means.
- thermocline optimization is accomplished by changing one or more of the location along a height of the tank from whereat the heat transfer fluid is extracted, the location along a height of the tank whereat the heat transfer fluid is returned to the tank, and a flow rate of the heat transfer fluid extracted from and/or returned to the tank.
- Methods are provided for encapsulating a phase change material within a capsule or a shell impervious to both the phase change material contain therewithin and the heat transfer fluid within which the capsule or shell is submerged.
- a particle of the phase change material is suspended in an air stream and exposed to an atomized solution of a first material.
- a coating, comprising one or more layers, of the first material is formed around the particle of the phase change material.
- Another coating, comprising one or more layers, of a second material is then applied around the first material encasing the phase change material.
- the encapsulated phase change material is then heated to a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize or thermally decompose the first material encasing the phase change material.
- the first material is an organic polymer having a decomposition temperature less than a phase change temperature of both the phase change material and the second material.
- Vaporization of the first material results in a void within the capsule or shell formed by the second material within which the phase change material is encased.
- the void within the capsule or shell is of sufficient size to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material when it changes from solid to liquid.
- a particle of the phase change material is suspended in an air stream and exposed to a solution of a mixture comprising a binder and metal particles. Upon drying, a coating, comprising one or more layers, of the mixture is formed around the particle of the phase change material. The encapsulated phase change material is then heated to a temperature sufficiently high to both vaporize or thermally decompose the binder and sinter the metal particles. As such, the sintered metal particles form the capsule or shell encasing the phase change material therewithin.
- the binder is an organic.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of a thermal energy storage system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic of a thermal energy storage system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3A illustrates a process for encapsulating a phase change material in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3B is a flowchart for the process shown in FIG. 3A ;
- FIG. 4A illustrates a process for encapsulating a phase change material in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4B is a flowchart for the process shown in FIG. 4A .
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of thermal energy storage system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- Thermal energy storage system 100 comprise storage tank 102 containing a plurality of capsules 104 submerged in heat transfer fluid 106 .
- Each one of the plurality of capsules 104 contains a phase change material encapsulated therewithin as described in detail herein below.
- Thermal energy is added to (or stored in) tank 102 by extracting a portion of heat transfer fluid 106 from tank 102 , adding thermal energy to the extracted heat transfer fluid 106 , and thereafter returning the heated heat transfer fluid 106 back to tank 102 .
- heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted from tank 102 along flow path 108 , heated in first heat exchanger 110 , and thereafter returned to tank 102 along flow path 112 .
- Heat transfer fluid 106 flowing through first heat exchanger 110 is heated by thermal energy 114 from an external source.
- thermal energy 114 is supplied by a solar tower, a solar receiver, etc.
- Thermal energy is extracted (or removed) from tank 102 by extracting a portion of heat transfer fluid 106 from tank 102 , removing the thermal energy from the extracted heat transfer fluid 106 , and thereafter returning the cooled heat transfer fluid 106 back to tank 102 .
- heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted from tank 102 along flow path 116 , cooled in second heat exchanger 118 , and thereafter returned to tank 102 along flow path 120 .
- Heat transfer fluid 106 flowing through second heat exchanger 118 transfers thermal energy 122 to an external source.
- thermal energy 122 is supplied to a steam generator for the purposes of operating one or more steam turbines in an electrical power plant.
- thermal energy is stored in the form of sensible and latent heat.
- thermal energy within tank 102 is stored in a phase change material encapsulated in each one of the plurality of capsules 104 .
- the heated heat transfer fluid 106 entering tank 102 along flow path 112 transfers at least a portion of its thermal energy to one or more of the plurality of capsules 104 .
- the thermal energy transferred to capsules 104 heats the phase change material contained therewithin, and causes the phase change material to change from a solid to liquid.
- the thermal energy is stored in the form of latent heat (also called the latent heat of fusion).
- Heating the phase change material while in the solid and/or the liquid phase causes thermal energy to be stored therewithin in the form of sensible heat.
- Thermal energy stored within the phase change material is extracted by cooling the one or more of the plurality of capsules 104 .
- Cooling capsules 104 causes a transfer of at least a portion of thermal energy from the phase change material contained therewithin to the cooled heat transfer fluid 106 entering tank 102 along flow path 120 .
- This extraction of thermal energy from the phase change material causes the phase change material to change from a liquid to solid.
- the thermal energy is extracted in the form of latent heat (also called the latent heat of fusion). Cooling the phase change material while in the solid and/or the liquid phase causes thermal energy to be extracted from therewithin in the form of sensible heat.
- heat transfer fluid 106 within tank 102 is of sufficient quantity to at least fully submerge the plurality of capsules 104 . Accordingly, substantially all the voids between adjacent capsules 104 are substantially filled with heat transfer fluid 106 .
- thermal energy storage system 100 further comprises control module 124 .
- Control module 124 via communications link 126 , controls the operation and optimization of thermal energy storage system 100 and components thereof such as, and not limited to, pumps, valves, sensors, etc.
- control module 124 optimizes the heating of heat transfer fluid 106 in first heat exchanger 110 .
- control module 124 optimizes the cooling of heat transfer fluid 106 in second heat exchanger 118 .
- Embodiments for optimizing the heating and cooling of heat transfer fluid 106 include, and are not limited to, varying the flow rates of heat transfer fluid 106 through first and second heat exchangers 110 and 118 , respectively, changing the locations along a height of tank 102 from whereat heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted from tank 102 , etc.
- Control module 124 in alternate embodiments of the invention, further optimizes a thermocline within heat transfer fluid 106 in tank 102 .
- Embodiments for optimizing the thermocline include, and are not limited to, changing the locations along a height of tank 102 from whereat heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted from tank 102 , changing the locations along a height of tank 102 whereat heat transfer fluid 106 is returned to tank 102 , varying the flow rates of heat transfer fluid 106 through first and second heat exchangers 110 and 118 , respectively, etc. All variations and alternative means for optimizing the heating and cooling of heat transfer fluid 106 and/or for optimizing the thermocline within heat transfer fluid 106 in tank 102 are considered as being within the spirit, scope and intent of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic of thermal energy storage system 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
- thermal energy storage systems 100 and 200 are similar in several aspects. Accordingly, like elements are depicted with like numerals, and only the differences between thermal energy storage systems 100 and 200 are described herein below with reference to FIG. 2 .
- Thermal energy storage system 200 comprise storage tank 202 containing a plurality of capsules 104 submerged in heat transfer fluid 106 .
- Thermal energy is extracted (or removed) from tank 202 by extracting portions of heat transfer fluid 106 from a plurality of locations along a height of tank 202 , removing the thermal energy from the extracted heat transfer fluid 106 , and thereafter returning the cooled heat transfer fluid 106 back to tank 202 .
- third and fourth heat exchanger 204 and 206 respectively, cool heat transfer fluid 106 extracted from tank 202 .
- a first stream of heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted from tank 202 along flow path 208 and cooled in third heat exchanger 204 .
- the cooled first stream of heat transfer fluid 106 exiting third heat exchanger 204 is mixed with a second stream of heat transfer fluid 106 extracted from tank 202 and the stream of mixed heat transfer fluid is cooled in fourth heat exchanger 206 .
- the cooled stream of mixed fluid exiting fourth heat exchanger 206 is thereafter returned to tank 202 along flow path 216 .
- the first stream of heat transfer fluid 106 flowing through third heat exchanger 204 transfers thermal energy 218 to an external source, and the stream of mixed fluid flowing through fourth heat exchanger 206 transfers thermal energy 220 to the same and/or to a different external source.
- thermal energy 220 is supplied to a steam generator and thermal energy 218 is supplied to a superheater for superheating the steam generated in the steam generator.
- the superheated steam in an embodiment of the invention, operates one or more steam turbines in an electrical power plant.
- tank 202 the process of storing and extracting thermal energy is substantially the same as that described herein above with reference to FIG. 1 .
- thermal energy storage system 200 further comprises control module 222 .
- Control module 222 via communications link 224 , controls the operation and optimization of thermal energy storage system 200 and components thereof such as, and not limited to, pumps, valves, sensors, etc.
- embodiments of control module 222 are similar, substantially similar, and/or the same as the embodiments of control module 124 as described herein above with reference to FIG. 1 .
- the plurality of capsules 104 within some sections (or portions) of tanks 102 and 202 contain phase change materials having different phase change temperatures.
- a section near a top of tanks 102 and 202 includes a layer of the plurality of capsules 104 that encapsulate a phase change material with a phase change temperature greater than a phase change temperature of a phase change material encapsulated in the plurality of capsules 104 in a layer near a bottom section of tanks 102 and 202 .
- the encapsulated phase change material in a section near the top of tanks 102 and 202 is different from the encapsulated phase change material in a section near the bottom of tanks 102 and 202 .
- tanks 102 and 202 comprise several different types of encapsulated phase change material between the top and the bottom of tanks 102 and 202 , wherein the encapsulated phase change material have different phase change temperatures.
- control module 222 optimizes the cooling of heat transfer fluid 106 in third and fourth heat exchangers 204 and 206 , respectively.
- Embodiments for optimizing the heating and cooling of heat transfer fluid 106 include, and are not limited to, varying the flow rates of heat transfer fluid 106 through first, third and fourth heat exchangers 110 , 204 and 206 , respectively, changing the locations along a height of tank 202 from whereat heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted from tank 202 , etc.
- Control module 222 in alternate embodiments of the invention, further optimizes a thermocline within heat transfer fluid 106 in tank 202 .
- Embodiments for optimizing the thermocline include, and are not limited to, changing the locations along a height of tank 202 from whereat the first and second streams of heat transfer fluid 106 are extracted from tank 202 , changing the locations along a height of tank 202 whereat heat transfer fluid 106 is returned to tank 202 , varying the flow rates of heat transfer fluid 106 through first, third and fourth heat exchangers 110 , 204 and 206 , respectively, varying the flow rate of the second stream of heat transfer fluid 106 , etc. All variations and alternative means for optimizing the heating and cooling of heat transfer fluid 106 and/or for optimizing the thermocline within heat transfer fluid 106 in tank 202 are considered as being within the spirit, scope and intent of the present invention.
- each one of the plurality of capsules 104 comprises an outer shell with a hollow interior, wherein the hollow interior is at least partially filled with a phase change material.
- the hollow interior of the outer shell also includes a void of sufficient size to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material as it changes between the solid and the liquid phases.
- FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of process 300 for encapsulating particle 302 of the phase change material within capsule 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- Capsule 304 is one of the plurality of capsules 104 .
- Process 300 is described in further detail herein below with reference to FIG. 3B .
- an entire surface of particle 302 of the phase change material is first coated with at least one layer of first material 306 .
- an entire surface of the layer(s) of first material 306 is coated with at least one layer of second material 308 .
- Particle 302 coated with first and second material 306 and 308 , respectively, is then placed in environment 310 wherein it is heated to a temperature greater than a decomposition temperature of first material 306 . Accordingly, first material 306 decomposes and vaporizes. The decomposed and vaporized first material 306 outgases through the surrounding layer(s) of second material 308 .
- first material 306 results in void 312 within the outer shell formed by second material 308 .
- particle 302 of the phase change material is encased within the outer shell formed by second material 308 .
- the outer shell of second material 308 containing therewithin particle 302 of the phase change material and void 312 is placed in environment 314 wherein an entire surface of the outer shell of second material 308 is coated with at least one layer of third material 316 , thereby yielding capsule 304 .
- Capsule 304 is one of the plurality of capsules 104 submerged within heat transfer fluid 106 in tanks 102 and 202 of thermal energy storage systems 100 and 200 .
- FIG. 3B is a flowchart of process 300 for encapsulating particle 302 of the phase change material in capsule 304 .
- process 300 starts at block 320 .
- particle 302 of the phase change material is suspending in an air stream or on an air bed.
- a solution of first material 306 is atomized at block 324 and particle 302 of the phase change material suspended at bock 322 is exposed to the atomized solution of first material 306 .
- an entire surface of particle 302 of the phase change material is coated with at least one layer of first material 306 which is then dried at block 328 .
- a determination is made whether or not additional layer(s) of first material 306 should be applied.
- process 300 proceeds along path 332 and repeats with block 326 . If additional layer(s) of first material 306 are not required (or desired), process 300 proceeds along path 334 to block 336 , whereat at least one layer of second material 308 is applied to an entire surface of particle 302 of the phase change material coated with one or more layers of first material 306 . At block 338 , a determination is made whether or not additional layer(s) of second material 308 should be applied. If additional layer(s) of second material 308 are required (or desired), process 300 proceeds along path 340 and repeats with block 336 .
- process 300 proceeds along path 342 to block 344 .
- particle 302 of the phase change material coated with layers of first and second material 306 and 308 , respectively is heated to a temperature greater than the decomposition temperature of first material 306 , as shown at block 346 , for decomposing first material 306 .
- Decomposition and vaporization of first material 306 at blocks 346 and 348 respectively, creates a void within the layer(s) of second material 308 applied at block 336 .
- first material 306 produced by the decomposition and vaporization steps at blocks 346 and 348 escape through a surface of the outer shell comprising second material 308 .
- second material 308 is of sufficient porosity so as to not hinder the vapors of first material 306 from outgasing through the one or more layers of second material 308 forming the outer shell.
- an entire outer surface of the shell formed by the one or more layers of second material 308 is coated with at least one layer of third material 316 so as to render capsule 304 impervious to both heat transfer fluid 106 within which it will be submerged and the phase change material encased therewithin.
- Each one of the so formed capsule 304 which is one of the plurality of capsules 104 , comprises second material 308 as its outer shell and, as such, encases (or encapsulates) particle 302 of the phase change material.
- Process 300 thereafter repeats with block 322 or stops at block 352 .
- third material 316 substantially fills a substantial number of defects in the outer shell comprising second material 308 .
- defects include cracks, crevices, holes, voids, etc. in the outer shell.
- third material 316 renders capsule 304 impervious to both heat transfer fluid 106 within which it is submerged and the phase change material encapsulated therewithin.
- second and third material 308 and 316 are the same material.
- FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of process 400 for encapsulating particle 302 of the phase change material within capsule 404 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- Capsule 404 like capsule 304 , is one of the plurality of capsules 104 .
- Process 400 is described in further detail herein below with reference to FIG. 4B .
- an entire surface of particle 302 of the phase change material is first coated with at least one layer of mixture 406 comprising metal particles and a binder.
- particle 302 coated with mixture 406 is then placed in environment 408 wherein it is heated to a temperature greater than a decomposition temperature of the binder within mixture 406 .
- the binder within mixture 406 is thus decomposed and vaporized and the metal particles within mixture 406 are sintered.
- the sintered metal particles form shell 410 around particle 302 of the phase change material.
- shell 410 containing therewithin particle 302 of the phase change material is placed in environment 412 wherein an entire surface of shell 410 is coated with at least one layer of material 414 , thereby yielding capsule 404 .
- material 414 substantially fills a substantial number of defects in shell 410 .
- defects include cracks, crevices, holes, voids, etc. in shell 410 .
- Capsule 404 is one of the plurality of capsules 104 submerged within heat transfer fluid 106 in tanks 102 and 202 of thermal energy storage systems 100 and 200 .
- FIG. 4B is a flowchart of process 400 for encapsulating particle 302 of the phase change material in capsule 404 .
- process 400 starts at block 420 .
- particle 302 of the phase change material is coated with mixture 406 comprising metal particles and a binder.
- Mixture 406 coated on particle 302 of the phase change material is then dried at block 424 .
- a determination is made whether or not additional layer(s) of mixture 406 should be applied. If additional layer(s) of mixture 406 are required (or desired), process 400 proceeds along path 428 and repeats with block 422 .
- process 400 proceeds along path 430 to block 432 .
- particle 302 of the phase change material coated with layer(s) of mixture 406 is heated for the purpose of both decomposing the binder within mixture 406 and sintering the metal particles within mixture 406 .
- the binder within mixture 406 is decomposed and vaporized at blocks 434 and 436 , respectively.
- the metal particles within mixture 406 are sintered into forming shell 410 encasing (or encapsulating) particle 302 of the phase change material.
- an entire outer surface of shell 410 formed by the sintered metal particles is coated with at least one layer of material 414 so as to render capsule 404 impervious to both heat transfer fluid 106 within which it will be submerged and the phase change material encased therewithin.
- Each one of the so formed capsule 404 which is one of the plurality of capsules 104 , comprises particle 302 of the phase change material encapsulated within a shell of sintered metal particles.
- material 414 substantially fills a substantial number of defects in shell 410 .
- defects include cracks, crevices, holes, voids, etc. in the outer shell. Accordingly, material 414 renders capsule 404 impervious to both heat transfer fluid 106 within which it is submerged and the phase change material encapsulated therewithin.
- shell 410 is of sufficient elasticity to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material as it changes between the solid and the liquid phases.
- the encapsulated phase change material comprises a material having a phase change temperature less than a phase change temperature of the metal forming shell 410 .
- capsule 304 encapsulates a phase change material having a phase change temperature less than a phase change temperature of second and third material 308 and 316 , respectively.
- capsule 404 encapsulates a phase change material having a phase change temperature less than a phase change temperature of shell 410 and material 414 .
- the phase change material encapsulated in capsules 304 and 404 are selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate, inorganic salts and mixtures of salts.
- the phase change material is selected such that the phase change temperature is approximately the same as the desired temperature for storing thermal energy as latent heat.
- the encapsulated phase change material comprise a mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate having a phase change temperature approximately between 310° C. and 330° C.
- first material 306 is selected such that it will decompose and vaporize at a temperature less than the phase change temperatures of both the phase change material and second material 308 .
- first material 306 is essentially a “sacrificial” material aiding in the formation of void 312 .
- first material 306 is an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-propyl methyl cellulose, carboxy-methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, polyethelene and poly vinyl chloride.
- capsules 304 and 404 comprise an outer shell having a phase change temperature greater that the phase change temperature of the encapsulated phase change material.
- second material 308 for the outer shell of capsule 304 and the material for shell 410 are selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, bonded metal particles, sintered metal particles, clay and mixtures of clay and metal.
- third material 316 is the same as second material 308 .
- the plurality of capsules 104 in tank 102 and/or 202 comprise a mixture of capsules 304 and 404 .
- a method in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention comprises first creating a particle comprising a mixture of the phase change material and a sacrificial material such as first material 306 .
- This particle of the mixture is then coated with one or more layers of second material 308 or one or more layers of mixture 406 comprising metal particles and a binder.
- the coated mixture of the phase change material and the sacrificial material is heated to a temperature greater than the decomposition temperature of the sacrificial material and/or the binder. Such heating will decompose and vaporize the sacrificial material and/or the binder.
- the vaporized sacrificial material will outgas through the surrounding layer(s) of second material 308 and thereby create an outer shell of second material 308 encasing or encapsulating therewithin the phase change material and the void.
- the particle of the mixture comprising the phase change material and the sacrificial material is heated to a temperature sufficiently high to sinter the metal particles within mixture 406 .
- the sintered metal particles form a shell, such as shell 410 , encapsulating the phase change material therewithin.
- the amount of sacrificial material used will be such that the void created by the decomposition and vaporization of the sacrificial material will be of sufficient size to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material as it changes between the solid and the liquid phases.
- the outer shell comprising second material 308 or shell 410 is then coated or sealed with one or more layers of third material 316 or material 414 so as to render capsules 304 and 404 impervious to both heat transfer fluid 106 within which they will be submerged and the encapsulated phase change material.
- a method in accordance with another embodiment of the invention comprises a rotating disc atomization process for coating particle 302 of the phase change material with a sacrificial material, such as first material 306 .
- a slurry is first formed by suspending a plurality of particle 302 of the phase change material in a solution of the sacrificial material. The slurry is then poured onto a disc rotating at high speeds. Accordingly, centrifugal forces strip or pull off the excess liquid and the plurality of particle 302 of the phase change material, now coated with a thin liquid layer of the sacrificial material, roll off the rotating disc.
- the sacrificial material upon drying, creates a coating encasing particle 302 of the phase change material. Thereafter, particle 302 coated with the sacrificial material is processed in accordance with the one or more embodiments of the methods described herein above.
- capsules 304 and 404 comprise a heat transfer surface area in the approximate range of 1,200 square meter per cubic meter of capsule volume to 3,000 square meter per cubic meter of capsule volume.
- capsules 304 and 404 comprise a shape that is substantially similar to any one or more geometric shapes.
- capsules 304 and 404 have a generally spherical shape with an outer diameter in the approximate range of 2 mm to 15 mm.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Micro-Capsules (AREA)
- Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/366,409 filed Jul. 21, 2010 which, in its entirety, is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy. In particular, the invention pertains to an apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy from an encapsulated phase change material. Methods for encapsulating said phase change material in a capsule are also provided.
- Thermal energy storage systems incorporating phase change material are well known in the art. Such systems generally include a tank containing the phase change material. Thermal energy, when added to the phase change material, causes the phase change material to absorb at least some thermal energy in an amount equal to its heat of fusion and accordingly change phase from solid to liquid. Thermal energy, when removed from the phase change material, causes the phase change material to release its heat of fusion and accordingly change phase from liquid to solid.
- In prior art thermal energy storage systems, generally one or more heat exchangers submerged within the phase change material are used for adding and/or removing the thermal energy. As is well known in the art, removal of thermal energy from the phase change material causes the phase change material to solidify on the heat exchanger surfaces and consequentially deteriorates the heat exchanger effectiveness.
- Accordingly, there exists a need for a thermal energy storage system wherein the phase change material does not solidify on one or more heat exchangers as the phase change material releases its heat of fusion in the form of thermal energy extracted from the thermal energy storage system.
- An embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus for storing and retrieving thermal energy from a phase change material encapsulated in a capsule. A plurality of such capsules are submerged in a heat transfer fluid contained within a tank. The heat transfer fluid functions as a medium for transferring thermal energy to and/or from the encapsulated phase change material. Thermal energy added to the heat transfer fluid by an external means is transferred to the phase change material within the capsules causing the phase change material to change from solid to liquid. The phase change material releases thermal energy in the process of changing from liquid to solid. The released thermal energy is added to the heat transfer fluid and transported to an external means.
- The apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, comprises a control module configured for optimizing a thermocline within the heat transfer fluid in the tank. In one such embodiment, thermocline optimization is accomplished by changing one or more of the location along a height of the tank from whereat the heat transfer fluid is extracted, the location along a height of the tank whereat the heat transfer fluid is returned to the tank, and a flow rate of the heat transfer fluid extracted from and/or returned to the tank.
- Methods are provided for encapsulating a phase change material within a capsule or a shell impervious to both the phase change material contain therewithin and the heat transfer fluid within which the capsule or shell is submerged.
- In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a particle of the phase change material is suspended in an air stream and exposed to an atomized solution of a first material. Upon drying, a coating, comprising one or more layers, of the first material is formed around the particle of the phase change material. Another coating, comprising one or more layers, of a second material is then applied around the first material encasing the phase change material. The encapsulated phase change material is then heated to a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize or thermally decompose the first material encasing the phase change material. In an embodiment of the invention, the first material is an organic polymer having a decomposition temperature less than a phase change temperature of both the phase change material and the second material. Vaporization of the first material results in a void within the capsule or shell formed by the second material within which the phase change material is encased. The void within the capsule or shell is of sufficient size to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material when it changes from solid to liquid.
- In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a particle of the phase change material is suspended in an air stream and exposed to a solution of a mixture comprising a binder and metal particles. Upon drying, a coating, comprising one or more layers, of the mixture is formed around the particle of the phase change material. The encapsulated phase change material is then heated to a temperature sufficiently high to both vaporize or thermally decompose the binder and sinter the metal particles. As such, the sintered metal particles form the capsule or shell encasing the phase change material therewithin. In an embodiment of the invention, the binder is an organic.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a thermal energy storage system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic of a thermal energy storage system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3A illustrates a process for encapsulating a phase change material in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3B is a flowchart for the process shown inFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 4A illustrates a process for encapsulating a phase change material in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 4B is a flowchart for the process shown inFIG. 4A . - While multiple embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed, alternate embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description describes only illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are designated by like numerals. It should be clearly understood that there is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the invention in any form or manner to that described herein. As such, all alternatives are considered as falling within the spirit, scope and intent of the instant invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic of thermalenergy storage system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Thermalenergy storage system 100 comprisestorage tank 102 containing a plurality ofcapsules 104 submerged inheat transfer fluid 106. Each one of the plurality ofcapsules 104 contains a phase change material encapsulated therewithin as described in detail herein below. Thermal energy is added to (or stored in)tank 102 by extracting a portion ofheat transfer fluid 106 fromtank 102, adding thermal energy to the extractedheat transfer fluid 106, and thereafter returning the heatedheat transfer fluid 106 back totank 102. As illustrated,heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted fromtank 102 alongflow path 108, heated infirst heat exchanger 110, and thereafter returned totank 102 alongflow path 112.Heat transfer fluid 106 flowing throughfirst heat exchanger 110 is heated bythermal energy 114 from an external source. In an embodiment of the invention,thermal energy 114 is supplied by a solar tower, a solar receiver, etc. Thermal energy is extracted (or removed) fromtank 102 by extracting a portion ofheat transfer fluid 106 fromtank 102, removing the thermal energy from the extractedheat transfer fluid 106, and thereafter returning the cooledheat transfer fluid 106 back totank 102. As illustrated,heat transfer fluid 106 is extracted fromtank 102 alongflow path 116, cooled insecond heat exchanger 118, and thereafter returned totank 102 alongflow path 120.Heat transfer fluid 106 flowing throughsecond heat exchanger 118 transfersthermal energy 122 to an external source. In an embodiment of the invention,thermal energy 122 is supplied to a steam generator for the purposes of operating one or more steam turbines in an electrical power plant. - Within
tank 102, thermal energy is stored in the form of sensible and latent heat. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, thermal energy withintank 102 is stored in a phase change material encapsulated in each one of the plurality ofcapsules 104. The heatedheat transfer fluid 106entering tank 102 alongflow path 112 transfers at least a portion of its thermal energy to one or more of the plurality ofcapsules 104. The thermal energy transferred tocapsules 104 heats the phase change material contained therewithin, and causes the phase change material to change from a solid to liquid. As such, the thermal energy is stored in the form of latent heat (also called the latent heat of fusion). Heating the phase change material while in the solid and/or the liquid phase causes thermal energy to be stored therewithin in the form of sensible heat. Thermal energy stored within the phase change material is extracted by cooling the one or more of the plurality ofcapsules 104. Coolingcapsules 104 causes a transfer of at least a portion of thermal energy from the phase change material contained therewithin to the cooledheat transfer fluid 106entering tank 102 alongflow path 120. This extraction of thermal energy from the phase change material causes the phase change material to change from a liquid to solid. As such, the thermal energy is extracted in the form of latent heat (also called the latent heat of fusion). Cooling the phase change material while in the solid and/or the liquid phase causes thermal energy to be extracted from therewithin in the form of sensible heat. - In an embodiment of the invention,
heat transfer fluid 106 withintank 102 is of sufficient quantity to at least fully submerge the plurality ofcapsules 104. Accordingly, substantially all the voids betweenadjacent capsules 104 are substantially filled withheat transfer fluid 106. - As also shown in
FIG. 1 , thermalenergy storage system 100 further comprisescontrol module 124.Control module 124, via communications link 126, controls the operation and optimization of thermalenergy storage system 100 and components thereof such as, and not limited to, pumps, valves, sensors, etc. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,control module 124 optimizes the heating ofheat transfer fluid 106 infirst heat exchanger 110. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention,control module 124 optimizes the cooling ofheat transfer fluid 106 insecond heat exchanger 118. Embodiments for optimizing the heating and cooling ofheat transfer fluid 106 include, and are not limited to, varying the flow rates ofheat transfer fluid 106 through first andsecond heat exchangers tank 102 from whereatheat transfer fluid 106 is extracted fromtank 102, etc.Control module 124, in alternate embodiments of the invention, further optimizes a thermocline withinheat transfer fluid 106 intank 102. Embodiments for optimizing the thermocline include, and are not limited to, changing the locations along a height oftank 102 from whereatheat transfer fluid 106 is extracted fromtank 102, changing the locations along a height oftank 102 whereatheat transfer fluid 106 is returned totank 102, varying the flow rates ofheat transfer fluid 106 through first andsecond heat exchangers heat transfer fluid 106 and/or for optimizing the thermocline withinheat transfer fluid 106 intank 102 are considered as being within the spirit, scope and intent of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic of thermalenergy storage system 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, thermalenergy storage systems energy storage systems FIG. 2 . - Thermal
energy storage system 200 comprisestorage tank 202 containing a plurality ofcapsules 104 submerged inheat transfer fluid 106. Thermal energy is extracted (or removed) fromtank 202 by extracting portions ofheat transfer fluid 106 from a plurality of locations along a height oftank 202, removing the thermal energy from the extractedheat transfer fluid 106, and thereafter returning the cooledheat transfer fluid 106 back totank 202. As illustrated, third andfourth heat exchanger heat transfer fluid 106 extracted fromtank 202. A first stream ofheat transfer fluid 106 is extracted fromtank 202 alongflow path 208 and cooled inthird heat exchanger 204. The cooled first stream ofheat transfer fluid 106 exitingthird heat exchanger 204 is mixed with a second stream ofheat transfer fluid 106 extracted fromtank 202 and the stream of mixed heat transfer fluid is cooled infourth heat exchanger 206. The cooled stream of mixed fluid exitingfourth heat exchanger 206 is thereafter returned totank 202 alongflow path 216. The first stream ofheat transfer fluid 106 flowing throughthird heat exchanger 204 transfersthermal energy 218 to an external source, and the stream of mixed fluid flowing throughfourth heat exchanger 206 transfersthermal energy 220 to the same and/or to a different external source. In an embodiment of the invention,thermal energy 220 is supplied to a steam generator andthermal energy 218 is supplied to a superheater for superheating the steam generated in the steam generator. The superheated steam, in an embodiment of the invention, operates one or more steam turbines in an electrical power plant. - Within
tank 202, the process of storing and extracting thermal energy is substantially the same as that described herein above with reference toFIG. 1 . - As also shown in
FIG. 2 , thermalenergy storage system 200 further comprisescontrol module 222.Control module 222, via communications link 224, controls the operation and optimization of thermalenergy storage system 200 and components thereof such as, and not limited to, pumps, valves, sensors, etc. In several aspects, embodiments ofcontrol module 222 are similar, substantially similar, and/or the same as the embodiments ofcontrol module 124 as described herein above with reference toFIG. 1 . - In an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of
capsules 104 within some sections (or portions) oftanks tanks capsules 104 that encapsulate a phase change material with a phase change temperature greater than a phase change temperature of a phase change material encapsulated in the plurality ofcapsules 104 in a layer near a bottom section oftanks tanks tanks tanks tanks - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,
control module 222 optimizes the cooling ofheat transfer fluid 106 in third andfourth heat exchangers heat transfer fluid 106 include, and are not limited to, varying the flow rates ofheat transfer fluid 106 through first, third andfourth heat exchangers tank 202 from whereatheat transfer fluid 106 is extracted fromtank 202, etc.Control module 222, in alternate embodiments of the invention, further optimizes a thermocline withinheat transfer fluid 106 intank 202. Embodiments for optimizing the thermocline include, and are not limited to, changing the locations along a height oftank 202 from whereat the first and second streams ofheat transfer fluid 106 are extracted fromtank 202, changing the locations along a height oftank 202 whereatheat transfer fluid 106 is returned totank 202, varying the flow rates ofheat transfer fluid 106 through first, third andfourth heat exchangers heat transfer fluid 106, etc. All variations and alternative means for optimizing the heating and cooling ofheat transfer fluid 106 and/or for optimizing the thermocline withinheat transfer fluid 106 intank 202 are considered as being within the spirit, scope and intent of the present invention. - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, each one of the plurality of
capsules 104 comprises an outer shell with a hollow interior, wherein the hollow interior is at least partially filled with a phase change material. Accordingly, the hollow interior of the outer shell also includes a void of sufficient size to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material as it changes between the solid and the liquid phases. The methods, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, for creatingcapsules 104 are described in detail herein below with reference toFIGS. 3A-4B . -
FIG. 3A is a schematic representation ofprocess 300 for encapsulatingparticle 302 of the phase change material withincapsule 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Capsule 304 is one of the plurality ofcapsules 104.Process 300 is described in further detail herein below with reference toFIG. 3B . - As illustrated in
FIG. 3A , an entire surface ofparticle 302 of the phase change material is first coated with at least one layer offirst material 306. Next, an entire surface of the layer(s) offirst material 306 is coated with at least one layer ofsecond material 308.Particle 302 coated with first andsecond material environment 310 wherein it is heated to a temperature greater than a decomposition temperature offirst material 306. Accordingly,first material 306 decomposes and vaporizes. The decomposed and vaporizedfirst material 306 outgases through the surrounding layer(s) ofsecond material 308. Decomposition and vaporization offirst material 306 results invoid 312 within the outer shell formed bysecond material 308. As can be seen,particle 302 of the phase change material is encased within the outer shell formed bysecond material 308. Next, the outer shell ofsecond material 308 containingtherewithin particle 302 of the phase change material and void 312 is placed inenvironment 314 wherein an entire surface of the outer shell ofsecond material 308 is coated with at least one layer ofthird material 316, thereby yieldingcapsule 304.Capsule 304 is one of the plurality ofcapsules 104 submerged withinheat transfer fluid 106 intanks energy storage systems -
FIG. 3B is a flowchart ofprocess 300 for encapsulatingparticle 302 of the phase change material incapsule 304. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,process 300 starts atblock 320. Atblock 322,particle 302 of the phase change material is suspending in an air stream or on an air bed. A solution offirst material 306 is atomized atblock 324 andparticle 302 of the phase change material suspended atbock 322 is exposed to the atomized solution offirst material 306. Atblock 326, an entire surface ofparticle 302 of the phase change material is coated with at least one layer offirst material 306 which is then dried atblock 328. Atblock 330, a determination is made whether or not additional layer(s) offirst material 306 should be applied. If additional layer(s) offirst material 306 are required (or desired),process 300 proceeds alongpath 332 and repeats withblock 326. If additional layer(s) offirst material 306 are not required (or desired),process 300 proceeds alongpath 334 to block 336, whereat at least one layer ofsecond material 308 is applied to an entire surface ofparticle 302 of the phase change material coated with one or more layers offirst material 306. Atblock 338, a determination is made whether or not additional layer(s) ofsecond material 308 should be applied. If additional layer(s) ofsecond material 308 are required (or desired),process 300 proceeds alongpath 340 and repeats withblock 336. If additional layer(s) ofsecond material 308 are not required (or desired),process 300 proceeds alongpath 342 to block 344. Atblock 344,particle 302 of the phase change material coated with layers of first andsecond material first material 306, as shown atblock 346, for decomposingfirst material 306. Decomposition and vaporization offirst material 306 atblocks second material 308 applied atblock 336. The vapors offirst material 306 produced by the decomposition and vaporization steps atblocks second material 308. In an embodiment of the invention,second material 308 is of sufficient porosity so as to not hinder the vapors offirst material 306 from outgasing through the one or more layers ofsecond material 308 forming the outer shell. Next, atblock 350, an entire outer surface of the shell formed by the one or more layers ofsecond material 308 is coated with at least one layer ofthird material 316 so as to rendercapsule 304 impervious to bothheat transfer fluid 106 within which it will be submerged and the phase change material encased therewithin. Each one of the so formedcapsule 304, which is one of the plurality ofcapsules 104, comprisessecond material 308 as its outer shell and, as such, encases (or encapsulates)particle 302 of the phase change material.Process 300 thereafter repeats withblock 322 or stops atblock 352. - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,
third material 316 substantially fills a substantial number of defects in the outer shell comprisingsecond material 308. Such defects include cracks, crevices, holes, voids, etc. in the outer shell. Accordingly,third material 316 renderscapsule 304 impervious to bothheat transfer fluid 106 within which it is submerged and the phase change material encapsulated therewithin. In an alternate embodiment of the invention second andthird material -
FIG. 4A is a schematic representation ofprocess 400 for encapsulatingparticle 302 of the phase change material withincapsule 404 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Capsule 404, likecapsule 304, is one of the plurality ofcapsules 104.Process 400 is described in further detail herein below with reference toFIG. 4B . - As illustrated in
FIG. 4A , an entire surface ofparticle 302 of the phase change material is first coated with at least one layer ofmixture 406 comprising metal particles and a binder. Next,particle 302 coated withmixture 406 is then placed inenvironment 408 wherein it is heated to a temperature greater than a decomposition temperature of the binder withinmixture 406. The binder withinmixture 406 is thus decomposed and vaporized and the metal particles withinmixture 406 are sintered. The sintered metal particles formshell 410 aroundparticle 302 of the phase change material. Next,shell 410 containingtherewithin particle 302 of the phase change material is placed inenvironment 412 wherein an entire surface ofshell 410 is coated with at least one layer ofmaterial 414, thereby yieldingcapsule 404. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,material 414 substantially fills a substantial number of defects inshell 410. Such defects include cracks, crevices, holes, voids, etc. inshell 410.Capsule 404, likecapsule 304, is one of the plurality ofcapsules 104 submerged withinheat transfer fluid 106 intanks energy storage systems -
FIG. 4B is a flowchart ofprocess 400 for encapsulatingparticle 302 of the phase change material incapsule 404. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,process 400 starts atblock 420. Atblock 422,particle 302 of the phase change material is coated withmixture 406 comprising metal particles and a binder.Mixture 406 coated onparticle 302 of the phase change material is then dried atblock 424. Next, atblock 426, a determination is made whether or not additional layer(s) ofmixture 406 should be applied. If additional layer(s) ofmixture 406 are required (or desired),process 400 proceeds alongpath 428 and repeats withblock 422. If additional layer(s) ofmixture 406 are not required (or desired),process 400 proceeds alongpath 430 to block 432. Atblock 432,particle 302 of the phase change material coated with layer(s) ofmixture 406 is heated for the purpose of both decomposing the binder withinmixture 406 and sintering the metal particles withinmixture 406. The binder withinmixture 406 is decomposed and vaporized atblocks block 438, the metal particles withinmixture 406 are sintered into formingshell 410 encasing (or encapsulating)particle 302 of the phase change material. Next, atblock 440, an entire outer surface ofshell 410 formed by the sintered metal particles is coated with at least one layer ofmaterial 414 so as to rendercapsule 404 impervious to bothheat transfer fluid 106 within which it will be submerged and the phase change material encased therewithin. Each one of the so formedcapsule 404, which is one of the plurality ofcapsules 104, comprisesparticle 302 of the phase change material encapsulated within a shell of sintered metal particles. - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,
material 414 substantially fills a substantial number of defects inshell 410. Such defects include cracks, crevices, holes, voids, etc. in the outer shell. Accordingly,material 414 renderscapsule 404 impervious to bothheat transfer fluid 106 within which it is submerged and the phase change material encapsulated therewithin. - In an embodiment of the invention,
shell 410 is of sufficient elasticity to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material as it changes between the solid and the liquid phases. In another embodiment of the invention the encapsulated phase change material comprises a material having a phase change temperature less than a phase change temperature of themetal forming shell 410. - In an embodiment of the
invention capsule 304 encapsulates a phase change material having a phase change temperature less than a phase change temperature of second andthird material invention capsule 404 encapsulates a phase change material having a phase change temperature less than a phase change temperature ofshell 410 andmaterial 414. - The phase change material encapsulated in
capsules - As will be apparent tone skilled in the art,
first material 306 is selected such that it will decompose and vaporize at a temperature less than the phase change temperatures of both the phase change material andsecond material 308. As such,first material 306 is essentially a “sacrificial” material aiding in the formation ofvoid 312. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,first material 306 is an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-propyl methyl cellulose, carboxy-methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, polyethelene and poly vinyl chloride. - As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, embodiments of
capsules second material 308 for the outer shell ofcapsule 304 and the material forshell 410 are selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, bonded metal particles, sintered metal particles, clay and mixtures of clay and metal. In an embodiment of the invention,third material 316 is the same assecond material 308. - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of
capsules 104 intank 102 and/or 202 comprise a mixture ofcapsules - Although not described in detail herein, alternate methods for
manufacturing capsules - For example, a method in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention comprises first creating a particle comprising a mixture of the phase change material and a sacrificial material such as
first material 306. This particle of the mixture is then coated with one or more layers ofsecond material 308 or one or more layers ofmixture 406 comprising metal particles and a binder. Next, the coated mixture of the phase change material and the sacrificial material is heated to a temperature greater than the decomposition temperature of the sacrificial material and/or the binder. Such heating will decompose and vaporize the sacrificial material and/or the binder. The vaporized sacrificial material will outgas through the surrounding layer(s) ofsecond material 308 and thereby create an outer shell ofsecond material 308 encasing or encapsulating therewithin the phase change material and the void. Ifmixture 406 is used, the particle of the mixture comprising the phase change material and the sacrificial material is heated to a temperature sufficiently high to sinter the metal particles withinmixture 406. The sintered metal particles form a shell, such asshell 410, encapsulating the phase change material therewithin. As will appreciated, the amount of sacrificial material used will be such that the void created by the decomposition and vaporization of the sacrificial material will be of sufficient size to accommodate any change in the volume of the phase change material as it changes between the solid and the liquid phases. The outer shell comprisingsecond material 308 orshell 410 is then coated or sealed with one or more layers ofthird material 316 ormaterial 414 so as to rendercapsules heat transfer fluid 106 within which they will be submerged and the encapsulated phase change material. - As another example, a method in accordance with another embodiment of the invention comprises a rotating disc atomization process for coating
particle 302 of the phase change material with a sacrificial material, such asfirst material 306. According to one such process, a slurry is first formed by suspending a plurality ofparticle 302 of the phase change material in a solution of the sacrificial material. The slurry is then poured onto a disc rotating at high speeds. Accordingly, centrifugal forces strip or pull off the excess liquid and the plurality ofparticle 302 of the phase change material, now coated with a thin liquid layer of the sacrificial material, roll off the rotating disc. The sacrificial material, upon drying, creates acoating encasing particle 302 of the phase change material. Thereafter,particle 302 coated with the sacrificial material is processed in accordance with the one or more embodiments of the methods described herein above. - In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,
capsules capsules capsules - Various modifications and additions may be made to the exemplary embodiments described hereinabove without departing from the scope, intent and spirit of the instant invention. For example, while the disclosed embodiments refer to particular features, the scope of the instant invention is considered to also include embodiments having various combinations of features different from and/or in addition to those described hereinabove. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as within the scope, intent and spirit of the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof.
Claims (83)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/187,398 US20120018116A1 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-07-20 | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material |
US15/243,537 US10107564B2 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2016-08-22 | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US36640910P | 2010-07-21 | 2010-07-21 | |
US13/187,398 US20120018116A1 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-07-20 | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/243,537 Division US10107564B2 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2016-08-22 | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120018116A1 true US20120018116A1 (en) | 2012-01-26 |
Family
ID=45492601
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/187,398 Abandoned US20120018116A1 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-07-20 | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material |
US15/243,537 Active 2031-11-20 US10107564B2 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2016-08-22 | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/243,537 Active 2031-11-20 US10107564B2 (en) | 2010-07-21 | 2016-08-22 | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20120018116A1 (en) |
Cited By (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120118554A1 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2012-05-17 | Terrafore, Inc. | Thermal Energy Storage System Comprising Optimal Thermocline Management |
US20130105106A1 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2013-05-02 | Dharendra Yogi Goswami | Systems And Methods For Thermal Energy Storage |
WO2014102418A1 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2014-07-03 | Universitat Politècnica De Catalunya | Thermal energy storage system combining solid sensible heat material and phase change material |
US20150060008A1 (en) * | 2013-08-30 | 2015-03-05 | The Regents Of The University Of California | High-density, high-temperature thermal energy storage and retrieval |
US20150114591A1 (en) * | 2012-04-23 | 2015-04-30 | Isentropic Ltd. | Thermal Energy Storage Apparatus |
US20150204612A1 (en) * | 2014-01-21 | 2015-07-23 | Drexel University | Systems and Methods of Using Phase Change Material in Power Plants |
WO2015140297A1 (en) * | 2014-03-21 | 2015-09-24 | Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives | Improved phase-change latent heat thermal storage device |
WO2015195719A1 (en) * | 2014-06-16 | 2015-12-23 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
US20160108761A1 (en) * | 2014-10-21 | 2016-04-21 | Bright Energy Storage Technologies, Llp | Concrete and tube hot thermal exchange and energy store (txes) including temperature gradient control techniques |
US20160254578A1 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2016-09-01 | Gogoro Inc. | Portable electrical energy storage device with in-situ formable fluid channels |
US9441889B2 (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2016-09-13 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods |
US9650556B2 (en) | 2013-01-24 | 2017-05-16 | Southwest Research Institute | Encapsulation of high temperature molten salts |
US9658004B2 (en) | 2011-03-23 | 2017-05-23 | Energy Technologies Institute Llp | Layered thermal store with selectively alterable gas flow path |
US9732988B1 (en) * | 2012-05-30 | 2017-08-15 | Thermal Storage Systems | Thermal storage device including a plurality of discrete canisters |
US20170254601A1 (en) * | 2016-03-04 | 2017-09-07 | Entropy Solutions Llc | Thermal energy storage systems comprising encapsulated phase change materials and a neutralizing agent |
US9765251B2 (en) | 2012-12-18 | 2017-09-19 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
CN107461946A (en) * | 2016-06-06 | 2017-12-12 | 中海阳能源集团股份有限公司 | A kind of solar energy heat-collecting heat-storage medium and preparation method thereof |
TWI613854B (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2018-02-01 | 睿能創意公司 | Portable electrical energy storage device with in-situ formable fluid channels |
US9893335B2 (en) | 2015-10-01 | 2018-02-13 | Gogoro Inc. | Frame for portable electrical energy storage cells |
US20180156076A1 (en) * | 2015-06-02 | 2018-06-07 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for decelerating a cooling down of a flow conducting unit, and flow conducting unit |
US10153475B2 (en) | 2015-05-11 | 2018-12-11 | Gogoro Inc. | Electrical connector for portable multi-cell electrical energy storage device |
US10158102B2 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2018-12-18 | Gogoro Inc. | Portable electrical energy storage device with thermal runaway mitigation |
US10240530B2 (en) * | 2016-07-15 | 2019-03-26 | IFP Energies Nouvelles | Container for a system for storing and restoring heat, comprising a double wall formed from concrete |
US10294861B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2019-05-21 | Trent University | Compressed gas energy storage system |
GB2575679A (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2020-01-22 | Bae Systems Plc | Thermal Management system |
US10890383B2 (en) | 2014-01-21 | 2021-01-12 | Drexel University | Systems and methods of using phase change material in power plants |
US11148840B1 (en) * | 2020-05-07 | 2021-10-19 | Ltag Systems Llc | Method of packaging water-reactive aluminum |
US20210325125A1 (en) * | 2019-03-22 | 2021-10-21 | Innovator Energy, LLC | Systems and adjustable and high energy density thermal storage |
US11313624B2 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2022-04-26 | Mestek Machinery, Inc. | Evaporative cooling system and device |
GB2603082A (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2022-07-27 | Bae Systems Plc | Thermal management system |
US11435145B2 (en) * | 2020-07-28 | 2022-09-06 | Rocky Research | Thermal energy storage system with nucleation cooling |
US11518212B2 (en) * | 2016-01-27 | 2022-12-06 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Systems and methods for thermal battery control |
US11543216B2 (en) | 2017-03-06 | 2023-01-03 | Rocky Research | Burst mode cooling for directed energy systems |
EP4151695A1 (en) | 2021-09-16 | 2023-03-22 | Cowa Thermal Solutions AG | Heat storage capsule with phase shift material |
GR1010488B (en) * | 2022-05-30 | 2023-06-16 | Αριστοτελειο Πανεπιστημιο Θεσσαλονικης - Ειδικος Λογαριασμος Κονδυλιων Ερευνας, | Packaging capsule device for a thermal energy storage system with macro-encapsulation |
US11692779B2 (en) | 2020-01-23 | 2023-07-04 | Rocky Research | Flexible cooling system with thermal energy storage |
US11796229B2 (en) | 2019-03-22 | 2023-10-24 | Solvcor Technologies. Llc | Systems and methods for high energy density heat transfer |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102016214447B4 (en) * | 2016-08-04 | 2020-12-24 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Power plant with phase change material heat storage and method for operating a power plant with phase change material heat storage |
CN107726620A (en) * | 2017-11-03 | 2018-02-23 | 青岛新欧亚能源有限公司 | Solid electricity accumulation of heat phase-change heat transfer technique |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4219072A (en) * | 1978-02-10 | 1980-08-26 | Barlow Donald W Sr | Phase change material heat exchanger |
US4505953A (en) * | 1983-02-16 | 1985-03-19 | Pennwalt Corporation | Method for preparing encapsulated phase change materials |
US4777154A (en) * | 1978-08-28 | 1988-10-11 | Torobin Leonard B | Hollow microspheres made from dispersed particle compositions and their production |
US4873038A (en) * | 1987-07-06 | 1989-10-10 | Lanxide Technology Comapny, Lp | Method for producing ceramic/metal heat storage media, and to the product thereof |
US5007478A (en) * | 1989-05-26 | 1991-04-16 | University Of Miami | Microencapsulated phase change material slurry heat sinks |
US5207268A (en) * | 1991-06-28 | 1993-05-04 | Deutsche Forschungsanstalt Fuer Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V. | High-temperature heat storage system |
US20050247906A1 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2005-11-10 | Mark Neuschutz | Heat-storage means |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7867613B2 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2011-01-11 | Oxane Materials, Inc. | Composition and method for making a proppant |
US7442439B2 (en) * | 2005-12-28 | 2008-10-28 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles |
-
2011
- 2011-07-20 US US13/187,398 patent/US20120018116A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2016
- 2016-08-22 US US15/243,537 patent/US10107564B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4219072A (en) * | 1978-02-10 | 1980-08-26 | Barlow Donald W Sr | Phase change material heat exchanger |
US4777154A (en) * | 1978-08-28 | 1988-10-11 | Torobin Leonard B | Hollow microspheres made from dispersed particle compositions and their production |
US4505953A (en) * | 1983-02-16 | 1985-03-19 | Pennwalt Corporation | Method for preparing encapsulated phase change materials |
US4873038A (en) * | 1987-07-06 | 1989-10-10 | Lanxide Technology Comapny, Lp | Method for producing ceramic/metal heat storage media, and to the product thereof |
US5007478A (en) * | 1989-05-26 | 1991-04-16 | University Of Miami | Microencapsulated phase change material slurry heat sinks |
US5207268A (en) * | 1991-06-28 | 1993-05-04 | Deutsche Forschungsanstalt Fuer Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V. | High-temperature heat storage system |
US20050247906A1 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2005-11-10 | Mark Neuschutz | Heat-storage means |
Cited By (60)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120118554A1 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2012-05-17 | Terrafore, Inc. | Thermal Energy Storage System Comprising Optimal Thermocline Management |
US8554377B2 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2013-10-08 | Terrafore, Inc. | Thermal energy storage system comprising optimal thermocline management |
US9658004B2 (en) | 2011-03-23 | 2017-05-23 | Energy Technologies Institute Llp | Layered thermal store with selectively alterable gas flow path |
US9709347B2 (en) | 2011-03-23 | 2017-07-18 | Energy Technologies Institute Llp | Thermal storage system |
US9441889B2 (en) * | 2011-09-28 | 2016-09-13 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods |
US20130105106A1 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2013-05-02 | Dharendra Yogi Goswami | Systems And Methods For Thermal Energy Storage |
US11313624B2 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2022-04-26 | Mestek Machinery, Inc. | Evaporative cooling system and device |
US9970715B2 (en) * | 2012-04-23 | 2018-05-15 | Energy Technologies Institute Llp | Thermal energy storage apparatus |
US20150114591A1 (en) * | 2012-04-23 | 2015-04-30 | Isentropic Ltd. | Thermal Energy Storage Apparatus |
US9732988B1 (en) * | 2012-05-30 | 2017-08-15 | Thermal Storage Systems | Thermal storage device including a plurality of discrete canisters |
US10501668B2 (en) | 2012-12-18 | 2019-12-10 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
US11732171B2 (en) | 2012-12-18 | 2023-08-22 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
US9765251B2 (en) | 2012-12-18 | 2017-09-19 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
US9841243B2 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2017-12-12 | Universitat Politècnica De Catalunya | Thermal energy storage system combining sensible heat solid material and phase change material |
WO2014102418A1 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2014-07-03 | Universitat Politècnica De Catalunya | Thermal energy storage system combining solid sensible heat material and phase change material |
US9650556B2 (en) | 2013-01-24 | 2017-05-16 | Southwest Research Institute | Encapsulation of high temperature molten salts |
US10158102B2 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2018-12-18 | Gogoro Inc. | Portable electrical energy storage device with thermal runaway mitigation |
US20150060008A1 (en) * | 2013-08-30 | 2015-03-05 | The Regents Of The University Of California | High-density, high-temperature thermal energy storage and retrieval |
US20150204612A1 (en) * | 2014-01-21 | 2015-07-23 | Drexel University | Systems and Methods of Using Phase Change Material in Power Plants |
US9476648B2 (en) * | 2014-01-21 | 2016-10-25 | Drexel University | Systems and methods of using phase change material in power plants |
US10890383B2 (en) | 2014-01-21 | 2021-01-12 | Drexel University | Systems and methods of using phase change material in power plants |
FR3018905A1 (en) * | 2014-03-21 | 2015-09-25 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | LATENT HEAT STORAGE DEVICE WITH IMPROVED LOAD PHASE |
WO2015140297A1 (en) * | 2014-03-21 | 2015-09-24 | Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives | Improved phase-change latent heat thermal storage device |
CN106687283A (en) * | 2014-06-16 | 2017-05-17 | 南佛罗里达州大学 | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
US10494555B1 (en) | 2014-06-16 | 2019-12-03 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
WO2015195719A1 (en) * | 2014-06-16 | 2015-12-23 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
US9879166B1 (en) | 2014-06-16 | 2018-01-30 | University Of South Florida | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media |
US10054373B2 (en) * | 2014-10-21 | 2018-08-21 | Bright Energy Storage Technolgies, LLP | Concrete and tube hot thermal exchange and energy store (TXES) including temperature gradient control techniques |
US20160108761A1 (en) * | 2014-10-21 | 2016-04-21 | Bright Energy Storage Technologies, Llp | Concrete and tube hot thermal exchange and energy store (txes) including temperature gradient control techniques |
RU2659911C1 (en) * | 2014-10-21 | 2018-07-04 | Брайт Энержи Стораже Техноложис, ЛЛР | Concrete-tube hot heat exchanger, energy storage and a method for controlling the temperature gradient |
US10634436B2 (en) | 2014-10-21 | 2020-04-28 | Bright Energy Storage Technologies, Llp | Concrete and tube hot thermal exchange and energy store (TXES) including temperature gradient control techniques |
US10294861B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2019-05-21 | Trent University | Compressed gas energy storage system |
US9825345B2 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2017-11-21 | Gogoro Inc. | Portable electrical energy storage device with in-situ formable fluid channels |
TWI613854B (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2018-02-01 | 睿能創意公司 | Portable electrical energy storage device with in-situ formable fluid channels |
US20160254578A1 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2016-09-01 | Gogoro Inc. | Portable electrical energy storage device with in-situ formable fluid channels |
WO2016138463A1 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2016-09-01 | Gogoro Inc. | Portable electrical energy storage device with in-situ formable fluid channels |
US11165123B2 (en) | 2015-05-11 | 2021-11-02 | Gogoro Inc. | Electrical connector positioned in a battery pack |
US10153475B2 (en) | 2015-05-11 | 2018-12-11 | Gogoro Inc. | Electrical connector for portable multi-cell electrical energy storage device |
US20180156076A1 (en) * | 2015-06-02 | 2018-06-07 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for decelerating a cooling down of a flow conducting unit, and flow conducting unit |
US9893335B2 (en) | 2015-10-01 | 2018-02-13 | Gogoro Inc. | Frame for portable electrical energy storage cells |
US10581043B2 (en) | 2015-10-01 | 2020-03-03 | Gogoro Inc. | Frame for portable electrical energy storage cells |
US11518212B2 (en) * | 2016-01-27 | 2022-12-06 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Systems and methods for thermal battery control |
US20170254601A1 (en) * | 2016-03-04 | 2017-09-07 | Entropy Solutions Llc | Thermal energy storage systems comprising encapsulated phase change materials and a neutralizing agent |
CN107461946A (en) * | 2016-06-06 | 2017-12-12 | 中海阳能源集团股份有限公司 | A kind of solar energy heat-collecting heat-storage medium and preparation method thereof |
US10240530B2 (en) * | 2016-07-15 | 2019-03-26 | IFP Energies Nouvelles | Container for a system for storing and restoring heat, comprising a double wall formed from concrete |
US11543216B2 (en) | 2017-03-06 | 2023-01-03 | Rocky Research | Burst mode cooling for directed energy systems |
US11706903B2 (en) | 2018-07-20 | 2023-07-18 | Bae Systems Plc | Thermal management system |
GB2575679B (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2022-06-15 | Bae Systems Plc | Thermal Management System |
GB2603082A (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2022-07-27 | Bae Systems Plc | Thermal management system |
GB2603082B (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2022-10-12 | Bae Systems Plc | Thermal management system |
GB2575679A (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2020-01-22 | Bae Systems Plc | Thermal Management system |
US20210325125A1 (en) * | 2019-03-22 | 2021-10-21 | Innovator Energy, LLC | Systems and adjustable and high energy density thermal storage |
US11796229B2 (en) | 2019-03-22 | 2023-10-24 | Solvcor Technologies. Llc | Systems and methods for high energy density heat transfer |
US11788798B2 (en) * | 2019-03-22 | 2023-10-17 | Solvcor Technologies, Llc | Systems and adjustable and high energy density thermal storage |
US11692779B2 (en) | 2020-01-23 | 2023-07-04 | Rocky Research | Flexible cooling system with thermal energy storage |
US11148840B1 (en) * | 2020-05-07 | 2021-10-19 | Ltag Systems Llc | Method of packaging water-reactive aluminum |
US11767137B1 (en) | 2020-05-07 | 2023-09-26 | Ltag Systems, Llc | Packaging water-reactive aluminum |
US11435145B2 (en) * | 2020-07-28 | 2022-09-06 | Rocky Research | Thermal energy storage system with nucleation cooling |
EP4151695A1 (en) | 2021-09-16 | 2023-03-22 | Cowa Thermal Solutions AG | Heat storage capsule with phase shift material |
GR1010488B (en) * | 2022-05-30 | 2023-06-16 | Αριστοτελειο Πανεπιστημιο Θεσσαλονικης - Ειδικος Λογαριασμος Κονδυλιων Ερευνας, | Packaging capsule device for a thermal energy storage system with macro-encapsulation |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20160356554A1 (en) | 2016-12-08 |
US10107564B2 (en) | 2018-10-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10107564B2 (en) | Thermal energy storage system comprising encapsulated phase change material | |
Şahan et al. | Determining influences of SiO2 encapsulation on thermal energy storage properties of different phase change materials | |
CN105008840B (en) | Combine the thermal energy storage system of sensible heat solid material and phase-change material | |
CN101738120B (en) | Sensible heat-latent heat compound thermal storage device | |
Martin et al. | Direct contact PCM–water cold storage | |
CN104893674B (en) | A kind of foamy carbon/paraffin class phase change composite material and its method for packing | |
US4885129A (en) | Method of manufacturing heat pipe wicks | |
CN103154633B (en) | For the heat of high temperature memory of solar energy power plant | |
US20190368822A1 (en) | Cooling Device Having a Heat Pipe and a Latent Heat Store | |
CN108117860A (en) | Enhanced thermal conduction type fuse salt composite phase-change material and regenerative apparatus and energy storage method | |
CN103733420A (en) | Method for controlling temperature inside lithium battery electric core | |
CA1122392A (en) | Heat exchange bodies utilizing heat of fusion effects and methods of making same | |
Kanojia et al. | Comprehensive review on packed bed thermal energy storage systems | |
JP2004075711A (en) | Latent heat storage material and method for producing the same | |
CN207922928U (en) | High-temperature heat storage device based on enhanced thermal conduction type fuse salt composite phase-change material | |
Wu et al. | Moisture‐Thermal Stable, Superhydrophilic Alumina‐Based Ceramics Fabricated by a Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing Strategy for Solar Steam Generation | |
US10494555B1 (en) | Encapsulation of thermal energy storage media | |
Koide et al. | Development of novel microencapsulated hybrid latent/chemical heat storage material | |
CN103708419B (en) | Method for preparing of high-activity LiH microspheres through wet process | |
RU2327078C2 (en) | Hydrogen vessel | |
CN114935273A (en) | Multistage phase change ball heat storage device | |
WO2022040152A1 (en) | Heat pipes including composite wicking structures, and associated methods of manufacture | |
US4660625A (en) | Heat transport system, method and material | |
CN114670500B (en) | Orderly-accumulation phase-change thermal protection layer | |
CN202488944U (en) | Heat radiation apparatus applying latent heat functional fluid |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TERRAFORE, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MATHUR, ANOOP KUMAR, MR.;KASETTY, RAJAN BABU, MR.;REEL/FRAME:026802/0992 Effective date: 20110812 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TERRAFORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, MINNESOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TERRAFORE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:032628/0046 Effective date: 20140101 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OXLEY, JAMES D.;REEL/FRAME:037777/0780 Effective date: 20160208 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |