Self-Heating Chemical System for Sustained Modulation of Temperature

Abstract

A self-heating chemical system using one or more primary components for exothermic reactions (such as calcium oxide), one or more porous components that can serve as a heat sink and conductor of heat as well as under going chemical transformations that release heat (zeolite), a weak acid (citric acid) for sustained modulation of temperature and pH. Exothermic reactions, mixing of some chemicals, sorption of certain chemicals, phase changes in chemicals, and dissolution of some chemicals in solvents release heat during these operations. The rate of heat generation coupled with mass and energy transfer rates to or from system(s) allows modulation of the temperature of systems. The modulation can be further enhanced by controlled release and availability of some of the components. This method provides with a class of self-heating product applications and focuses on the modulation of temperature through sequestering of reactions with different rates, heat release through dissolution, heat release through mixing, heat release through sorption, heat release through phase change as well as controlling mass and heat transfer rates.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to currently pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 597,605, entitled, “Self Heating Chemical Systems for Sustained Modulation of Temperature”, filed Dec. 13, 2005, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a self-heating system where the heat is provided by chemical reactions, mixing, sorption, phase change, and dissolution. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Many self-heating products are emerging in the marketplace. The applications include products for food, beverages, and hand warmers. There are many areas such as disposable wipes where an unmet need exists is in the application of the technology. These applications, as well as others, require self-heating through the reaction of chemicals. The initiation and control of these reactions, retention and distribution of heat, and handling of materials are key issues. These issu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] A self-heating chemical system using one or more primary components for exothermic reactions (such as calcium oxide), one or more porous components that can serve as a heat sink and conductor of heat as well as under going chemical transformations that release heat (zeolite), a weak acid (citric acid) for sustained modulation of temperature and pH. Exothermic reactions, mixing of some chemicals, sorption of certain chemicals, phase changes in chemicals, and dissolution of some chemicals in solvents release heat during these operations. The rate of heat generation coupled with mass and energy transfer rates to or from system(s) allows modulation of the temperature of systems. The modulation can be further enhanced by controlled release and availability of some of the components. This method provides with a class of self-heating product applications and focuses on the modulation of temperature through sequestering of reactions with different rates, heat release through dissolution, heat release through mixing, heat release through sorption, heat release through phase change as well as controlling mass and heat transfer rates.

Problems solved by technology

The initiation and control of these reactions, retention and distribution of heat, and handling of materials are key issues.

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