Complete set of materials for producing phase change materials and uses thereof

Abstract

Described herein is a kit of materials for the production of PCM, including one or more additives. Also described is a method of making a PCM comprising the use of a kit of materials described herein and a latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof. In particular, a kit for the production of PCM is described, comprising one or more additives. Also described are kits for producing PCM and methods of producing PCM using the same, including non-loose powders, particles, and / or flakes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to phase change materials (PCMs). In particular, the present invention relates to a kit for producing PCMs containing one or more additives. The present invention also relates to a method for using the kit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a kit for producing PCMs free of loose powders, granules and / or flakes and a method for using the kit. Background Art

[0002] PCMs store and release thermal energy in the latent heat associated with melting and crystallization, where energy is stored and released as the material transforms across a solid / liquid phase boundary.

[0003] Typically, PCMs are selected for a particular application based on the heat of the PCM phase change, the temperature at which the phase change occurs, the reliability of the phase change, and the stability of the PCM in repeated thermal cycles. In addition to these factors, the PCM's cost, toxicity, compatibility with sealing materials and immersed components, and environmental sustainability also factor into the decision of which PCM to use.

[0004] Typically, for one or more of the reasons listed above, PCMs will have some favorable properties, but may also have some disadvantages that prevent or make them unusable. For example, a PCM may be inexpensive, non-toxic, and have a suitable phase change temperature, but may not be able to reliably undergo thermal cycling. To overcome or mitigate any potential problems, various additives are often used to improve the performance of the PCM in some way for a specific application. Two common additives are nucleating agents, which are used to promote crystallization of the PCM, and stabilizers, which are used to improve the cycling stability of the PCM. Other common additives include melting point depressants, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, thickeners, and pH adjusters.

[0005] However, the use of these additives increases the complexity of the PCM preparation process and may cause difficulties and / or sources of error when preparing them on a large scale.

[0006] The preparation of PCMs typically requires careful weighing and measuring of the PCM components. In a large-scale preparation process, this can involve manually handling large amounts of various solids and liquids while maintaining the required accuracy to produce a usable PCM.

[0007] The preparation of PCMs also typically involves the supply of certain components in large quantities (eg, the bulk of the PCM, ie, the latent heat storage material, excluding PCM additives), which may be present in amounts of only a few percent or less.

[0008] The additive will usually be in solid form, typically in the form of a powder, granules and / or flakes.

[0009] This is not conducive to accurate, safe, fast and simple combination of PCM additives with other PCM components.

[0010] The application of bulk solid components (e.g., powders, granules, and / or flakes) may be complicated by any one or a combination of the following factors:

[0011] - bulk solids may be difficult or costly to measure or meter in real time;

[0012] -Loose solids may be difficult to transfer from one container to another without losses;

[0013] -Loose solids tend to be slow for precise transfer;

[0014] -Loose solids may generate dust or become airborne, posing an inhalation hazard to workers;

[0015] - Accurate transfer of loose solids from one container to another or into a PCM is often slow;

[0016] - Certain solids may have a significant endothermic effect when added to the PCM, sufficient to cause unwanted crystallization, which could damage equipment or prevent the transfer of the PCM from one container to another; and / or

[0017] -Loose solids may have a low bulk density, resulting in relatively high volumetric transportation costs.

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the problems described herein.

[0019] The object of the present invention is to provide a set of materials for manufacturing PCM and an application method thereof.

[0020] The object of the present invention is to provide a kit for producing a PCM comprising a PCM additive.

[0021] The object of the present invention is to provide a kit for manufacturing a PCM comprising a PCM additive, wherein the PCM additive is in a form that simplifies the production of the PCM.

[0022] The object of the present invention is to provide a kit for manufacturing a PCM comprising a PCM additive, wherein the PCM additive is not in the form of a loose solid.

[0023] The object of the present invention is to provide a kit for manufacturing a PCM comprising a PCM additive, wherein the additive is in the form of a compressed block, a molten cast block and / or a liquid (which may be a suspension).

[0024] The object of the present invention is to provide a kit for producing a PCM comprising a PCM additive, wherein by using the kit said additive can be added to the PCM simply, without skill, faster, safer and / or more precisely.

[0025] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a PCM using a kit of materials, wherein the kit of materials is used in combination with a latent heat storage material to produce a PCM. The object of the present invention is to provide a method for using a kit of materials for manufacturing a PCM, wherein the kit of materials is used in combination with a latent heat storage material precursor.

[0026] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a PCM using a kit of materials, wherein the kit of materials is used in combination with a thermal battery device and a latent heat storage material and / or a precursor thereof. Summary of the invention

[0027] The invention relates to a set of materials for manufacturing PCM and an application method thereof.

[0028] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for producing a phase change material (PCM), wherein the kit comprises:

[0029] One, at least one or more PCM additive components, wherein:

[0030] The one, at least one or more PCM additive components are in any of the following forms:

[0031] Compressed form;

[0032] Casting form;

[0033] and / or

[0034] In liquid or suspension form.

[0035] The kit may include a single additive or multiple additives.

[0036] In embodiments where the kit includes multiple additives, the PCM additives may be present in the same or different forms (e.g., some additives may be present in a suspension form, while other additives may be present in a different form, such as a compressed form. Alternatively, all additives may be present in the same form (e.g., a compressed form, a molten form, a liquid form, or a suspension form).

[0037] The kit may also include a latent heat storage material and / or a latent heat storage material precursor.

[0038] The kit may further comprise a container for combining the at least one PCM additive component with the latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof.

[0039] The kit may also include instructions for use.

[0040] The kit may include a single component or multiple components. Each kit may include one additive or multiple additives. The kit may include a single kit component, which itself is composed of multiple additives. The kit may include multiple components, each component including a single additive.

[0041] When at least one PCM additive component is present in the kit in compressed form and / or molten cast form, the PCM additive may be supplied to the kit in the form of one or more pieces, such as compressed pieces and / or molten cast pieces.

[0042] Each compressed or cast block may have a volume of at least about 0.1 cm 3 Each compressed or cast block may include a single or multiple additives. When each block includes multiple additives, the loose solids of the multiple additives may be mixed or otherwise combined prior to forming the block. Alternatively, the loose solids of each additive may be layered (e.g., within a compression or cast mold) prior to forming the block.

[0043] Each compressed or cast block may have a volume of at least about 0.1 cm 3 .

[0044] Each compressed or cast block may have a volume of at least about 1 cm 3 ; At least about 100cm 3 ; At least about 500cm 3 ; at least about 1,000cm 3 ; at least about 5,000cm 3 ; or at least about 10,000 cm 3 , depending on the size of the preparation and the relative loading of the PCM additives desired. For ease of handling, these additives are preferably present in a volume of about 1-1000 cm 3 .

[0045] The volume of each additive block can range from about 1 cm 3 To about 900cm 3 ; or from about 1cm 3 To about 500cm 3 ; or from about 1cm 3 About 300cm 3 ; or from about 1cm 3 To about 100cm 3 ; or from about 1cm 3 To about 50cm 3 ; or from about 1cm 3 To about 20cm 3 ; or from about 10cm 3 To about 50cm3 ; or from about 25cm 3 To approximately 50cm 3 ; or from about 100cm 3 To approximately 500cm 3 ; or from about 200cm 3 To approximately 400cm 3 ; or from about 500cm 3 To approximately 1,000cm 3 ; or from about 600cm 3 To approximately 800cm 3 ; or from about 700cm 3 To approximately 900cm 3 .

[0046] Different kit components may have different block sizes. Multiple blocks of the same additive may be of approximately the same size / volume. Since each block can be considered equal or nearly equal in mass and volume to any other block containing that kit component, use of the kit components becomes simple, requiring no precise measurements, but simple counting.

[0047] Compressed solid and / or melt-cast additives may be compressed and / or melt-cast into one or more of the following geometries:

[0048] sphere;

[0049] cube;

[0050] Ellipsoid;

[0051] Cylinder;

[0052] cone;

[0053] Star shape;

[0054] Any pyramid;

[0055] Any flake geometry;

[0056] Any rod-like geometry; and / or

[0057] Any bipyramid.

[0058] The kit may be configured for use in combination with the kit components and a latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof to produce a phase change material (PCM).

[0059] The PCM additive may be present in the kit in liquid form.

[0060] The PCM additive may be a liquid under ambient conditions (eg, normal pressure and room temperature). The PCM additive may be in a liquid form in a solution (eg, a liquid dissolved in a liquid, or a solid dissolved in a liquid) or in a suspension (eg, a solid suspended in a liquid).

[0061] The PCM additive component may be present in the liquid additive kit component at or above its solubility limit.

[0062] The PCM additive component may initially be solid and converted to a liquid state by heating prior to use.

[0063] In the context of this disclosure, a suspension may be defined as a liquid in which solids are dispersed. The solids may be dispersed uniformly or homogeneously, or heterogeneously (ie, the distribution of the solid material in the liquid is not uniform).

[0064] Another aspect of the present invention provides a PCM comprising the kit of materials according to the first aspect of the present invention and a latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof.

[0065] The latent heat storage material of any aspect of the present invention may be a combination of one or more of the following materials: a salt, a salt hydrate, a salt water eutectic or an organic material.

[0066] The latent heat storage material precursor may be any material that can be converted into a latent heat storage material. The latent heat storage material precursor may form a latent heat storage material by a reaction, and the reaction may be a neutralization, concentration, dilution and / or dissolution reaction. At least two precursors may be required to form a latent heat storage material.

[0067] The kits can be configured for use by combining the kits with one or more latent heat storage material precursors. These combined kits and latent heat storage material precursors can then be configured to be combined with other precursors to form a PCM.

[0068] The latent heat storage material or its precursor may be configured to be combined with the kit components of the present invention in a liquid phase (e.g., in a molten state). When the kit is used, the latent heat storage material may be in a liquid state. The kit components may also be in a liquid state.

[0069] The PCM additive component can be any one or more of the following:

[0070] Nucleating agent;

[0071] Stabilizers;

[0072] Melting point depressants;

[0073] Corrosion inhibitors;

[0074] Rheology modifiers;

[0075] pH adjusters;

[0076] Thermal conductivity enhancers; and / or

[0077] Antimicrobial agent.

[0078] The PCM additive component may be supplied in the kit in compressed form, in molten cast form and / or in liquid form or suspension.

[0079] Additives that promote crystallization can also be called nucleating agents. Stabilizers can be polymers, surfactants, thickeners, etc.

[0080] The melting point depressant may be an additive of an impurity.

[0081] The thermal conductivity enhancer may be a carbonaceous material (eg, graphite, graphene), other planar materials (eg, boron nitride), and / or other nanomaterials (eg, nanoparticles, nanorods, nanotubes).

[0082] The pH adjuster may be an acid, a base and / or a buffer.

[0083] More particularly, the PCM additive may be selected from any one or more of the following components: polymers; monomers; polymerization initiators; surfactants; salts; salt hydrates; acids; bases; oxides; carbides; silicates; carbonaceous materials; organic materials; heterocycles; oils and / or waxes.

[0084] The PCM additives are present in the kit in compressed form, molten cast form and / or in liquid form or suspension.

[0085] The PCM additive component may include one or more additives in the same form or in different forms. If there is more than one PCM additive, the PCM additives may be mixed to form a kit component (e.g., a block or liquid comprising a mixture of additives), or each additive may be provided separately as a separate kit component, or the kit may include at least one kit component having a mixture of additives and at least one kit component having a single additive. In the kit, the kit components may be in the same form or in different forms.

[0086] The nucleating agent may be selected from (but not limited to) any one or more of the following: strontium nitrate; magnesium nitrate; disodium phosphate; strontium chloride; sodium borate and / or any hydrate form thereof. The nucleating agent may also be selected from (but not limited to) any combination of any one or more of the following: silver iodide, silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, bismuth oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, vermiculite or other layered silicate materials and / or talc.

[0087] The nucleating agent may comprise 0.1 wt.% or more, 0.5 wt.% or more, 1 wt.% or more, 5 wt.% or more, or 10 wt.% or more of the final PCM composition.

[0088] In the PCM preparation kit, the nucleating agent may account for at least 5wt.%, at least 10wt.%, at least 20wt.%, at least 30wt.%, at least 40wt.%, at least 50wt.%, at least 60wt.%, at least 70wt.%, at least 80wt.%, at least 90wt.% or about 100wt.% of the components of the kit.

[0089] The stabilizer may be a crystal habit modifier selected from, but not limited to, any combination of one or more of the following: sodium, lithium, potassium and / or ammonium salts of polyacrylic acid; and / or polymethacrylic acid; polyethylene glycol; and / or polypropylene glycol.

[0090] The stabilizer may also be a thickener, including but not limited to any combination of one or more of the following: sodium carboxymethylcellulose; polyacrylamide; xanthan gum; guar gum; clay, such as bentonite, diatomaceous earth, kaolinite and / or talc.

[0091] The stabilizer may comprise 0.01 wt.% or more, 0.05 wt.% or more, 0.1 wt.% or more, 0.5 wt.% or more, 1 wt.% or more, 2 wt.% or more, 5 wt.% or more, 10 wt.% or more of the final PCM composition.

[0092] Where a stabilizer is present in the PCM preparation kit, the stabilizer may comprise at least 5 wt.%, at least 10 wt.%, at least 20 wt.%, at least 30 wt.%, at least 40 wt.%, at least 50 wt.%, at least 60 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, or about 100 wt.% of the kit components.

[0093] The melting point depressant may be selected from any one or more of the following: magnesium sulfate; lithium nitrate; magnesium nitrate; sodium nitrate; sodium, lithium, potassium and / or ammonium salts of carboxylic acids; sodium bromide; sodium chloride; calcium bromide; calcium chloride; sodium sulfate; strontium bromide; strontium chloride; ammonium chloride; potassium chloride; potassium bromide; magnesium chloride; magnesium bromide and / or lithium sulfate.

[0094] The melting point depressant may comprise more than 1 wt. %, more than 3 wt. %, more than 5 wt. %, more than 10 wt. %, more than 15 wt. %, or more than 20 wt. % of the final PCM composition.

[0095] Where a stabilizer is present in the PCM preparation kit, the stabilizer may comprise at least 5 wt.%, at least 10 wt.%, at least 20 wt.%, at least 30 wt.%, at least 40 wt.%, at least 50 wt.%, at least 60 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, or about 100 wt.% of the kit components.

[0096] The corrosion inhibitor may be selected from any one or more of the following: benzotriazole and / or alkylamine phosphate.

[0097] The corrosion inhibitor may comprise 0.0001 wt. % or more, 0.0005 wt. % or more, 0.001 wt. % or more, 0.01 wt. % or more, 0.05 wt. % or more of the final PCM composition.

[0098] Where a corrosion inhibitor is present in the PCM preparation kit, the corrosion inhibitor may comprise at least 0.1 wt.%, at least 0.5 wt.%, at least 1 wt.%, at least 2 wt.%, at least 5 wt.%, at least 10 wt.%, at least 20 wt.%, at least 30 wt.%, at least 40 wt.%, at least 50 wt.%, at least 60 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, or about 100 wt.% of the components of the kit.

[0099] The latent heat storage material may be selected from, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following: water; magnesium nitrate hexahydrate; brine eutectic; calcium chloride hexahydrate; sodium acetate trihydrate; calcium nitrate tetrahydrate; methyl laurate; dimethyl adipate; dimethyl succinate; erythritol; trimethylolethane; hexadecanol; tetradecanol; lithium nitrate trihydrate; calcium bromide hexahydrate; strontium bromide hexahydrate; strontium chloride hexahydrate; sodium sulfate decahydrate; disodium phosphate dodecahydrate; sodium carbonate decahydrate; sodium, lithium, potassium and / or ammonium tetrafluoroborate; tetrabutylammonium salt hemiclathrate hydrate; and / or tetraisopropylammonium salt hemiclathrate hydrate.

[0100] The latent heat storage material may comprise the majority of the final PCM composition.

[0101] The latent heat storage material may comprise more than 20 wt.%, more than 40 wt.%, more than 50 wt.%, more than 60 wt.%, more than 70 wt.%, more than 80 wt.%, more than 90 wt.%, or more than 99 wt.% of the final PCM composition.

[0102] The thermal conductivity enhancing agent may be selected from, but is not limited to: expanded natural graphite, graphene, boron nitride and / or graphitic carbon nitride.

[0103] The thermal conductivity enhancer may comprise 1 wt. % or more, 3 wt. % or more, 5 wt. % or more, or 10 wt. % or more of the final PCM composition.

[0104] Where a thermal conductivity enhancer is present in the PCM preparation kit, the thermal conductivity enhancer may comprise at least 5 wt.%, at least 10 wt.%, at least 20 wt.%, at least 30 wt.%, at least 40 wt.%, at least 50 wt.%, at least 60 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, or about 100 wt.% of the kit components.

[0105] The pH adjuster may be selected from any one or more of the following: acetic acid, glycolic acid or other carboxylic acids, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydroiodic acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrofluoric acid, fluoroboric acid, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and / or calcium hydroxide.

[0106] The pH adjuster may comprise 0.0001 wt.% or more, 0.0005 wt.% or more, 0.001 wt.% or more, 0.005 wt.% or more, 0.01 wt.% or more, 0.1 wt.% or more, 1 wt.% or more, or 5 wt.% or more of the final PCM composition.

[0107] Where a pH adjuster is present in the PCM preparation kit, the pH adjuster may comprise at least 0.1 wt.%, at least 0.5 wt.%, at least 1 wt.%, at least 2 wt.%, at least 5 wt.%, at least 10 wt.%, at least 20 wt.%, at least 30 wt.%, at least 40 wt.%, at least 50 wt.%, at least 60 wt.%, at least 70 wt.%, at least 80 wt.%, at least 90 wt.%, or about 100 wt.% of the components of the kit.

[0108] PCM additives may comprise up to 100% of any single kit component. For example, where a kit component comprises a single PCM additive, then the kit component may consist entirely of that additive. Thus, multiple PCM additives may be present in the kit as separate components, which may be combined with the latent heat storage material to form the final PCM composition. Alternatively, one PCM additive may be present in the kit and combined with the latent heat storage material to form the final PCM composition. A single PCM additive in a kit may be present in more than one form (i.e., liquid, solution, suspension, molten cast solid, and / or compressed solid).

[0109] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit comprises at least two PCM additive components, wherein at least one component comprises one or more stabilizers and at least another component comprises one or more nucleating agents.

[0110] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit comprises a single additive component consisting of at least one stabilizer and at least one nucleating agent.

[0111] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit comprises two components, one of which is a stabilizer in liquid form and the other is a nucleating agent in compressed and / or melt-cast form.

[0112] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit comprises additives, which include one or more nucleating agents and / or one or more stabilizing agents and part of the latent heat storage material.

[0113] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kit comprises a single component comprising one or more antimicrobial agents, one or more pH adjusting agents and / or one or more corrosion inhibitors.

[0114] Also disclosed herein is a method of producing a compressed PCM additive mass, a molten cast mass, a liquefied additive component included in a kit.

[0115] The PCM additive can be formed into a compressed form (such as a compressed block) by placing the loose solid additive in a container (such as a compression mold) and applying pressure to the container. The internal size and volume of the container determines the size and volume of the PCM additive block.

[0116] The PCM additive in compressed form (e.g., compressed blocks) can be prepared by applying pressure to the PCM additive in bulk solid form. The pressure can be at least about 1 MPa, at least about 2.5 MPa, at least about 5 MPa, at least about 25 MPa, at least about 100 MPa, or at least about 250 MPa.

[0117] Where the compressed solid additive is dispersed rapidly into the latent heat storage material, low pressures (ie, from about 1 MPa to about 25 MPa) may be used. Where slower dispersion of the solid material into the latent heat storage material is preferred, pressures of at least about 25 MPa may be used.

[0118] The compression may be carried out uniaxially (i.e. along a single axis) or may be carried out along multiple axes to produce a compressed block. For example, compression may be carried out along 2, 3 or more axes. The compression may be carried out in an isotropic or anisotropic manner.

[0119] A method of preparing a compressed mass of additives of the kit of materials of the present invention comprises placing a loose powder containing one or more additives in a defined compression mold and applying a compressive force along at least one axis.

[0120] In certain embodiments, the method includes applying compressive forces along two, three, or four axes. The method also includes removing the PCM additive mass from the mold.

[0121] The PCM additive may be formed into a molten cast form by first melting the PCM additive material, placing the molten additive material in a mold or surface, and then allowing the PCM additive material to cool and solidify in the mold or surface to form one or more masses.

[0122] The method may include passively cooling the molten additive or actively cooling the molten additive to solidify the material to obtain a molten ingot.

[0123] When the molten ingot includes an additive material mixture, the method may include:

[0124] Incorporating PCM additive materials in bulk solid form;

[0125] Optional mixing;

[0126] heating the PCM additive to a melting point of at least one of the PCM additive materials;

[0127] optionally mixed; and

[0128] The PCM additive or additive composite is cooled to solidify.

[0129] Melting the PCM additive material may be achieved by heating the material to a temperature above its melting point. Active cooling may be performed by any suitable means, such as using condensation plates, cooling gases (such as air) or liquids passed over or near the mould.

[0130] The PCM additive may be present in the kit in liquid form. The PCM additive may be liquefied by dissolving and / or suspending. If a liquid, solution or suspension of the additive is required, a solvent such as water, oil or an organic liquid or an ionic liquid may be used.

[0131] In the case of multiple additives in the kit, one or more additives may be dissolved or suspended in one or more other additives of liquid nature to liquefy them. Liquid polymer additives may be used as a medium for dissolving and / or suspending loose solid additives. The additives may be in a molten and / or supercooled state, and other loose solid additives may be dissolved and / or suspended therein. These mixtures or suspensions may constitute the components of the kit.

[0132] The kit may include at least one PCM additive disclosed herein and a latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof, wherein the concentration of at least one additive in the latent heat storage material or precursor is higher than the concentration required for the PCM produced using the kit. In this case, the kit components are configured to be used by diluting the kit components with the latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof.

[0133] Thus, combining the kit components with the latent heat storage material may be a dilutive process.Kit components may be provided in the kit with relatively high concentrations of additives (eg, higher than the concentration of additives desired in the final PCM composition made using the kit).

[0134] The kit may be configured to provide the PCM with a desired additive concentration for the PCM after the PCM additive component of the kit is combined with the component comprising the latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof.

[0135] The process of combining the kit components comprising the latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof with the kit components comprising the PCM additive effectively dilutes the concentration of the PCM additive in the final PCM composition.

[0136] The PCM additives forming the components of the kit may be mixed in solid form with the latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof and compressed into a block comprising the components of the kit.

[0137] During this process, the PCM additive-latent heat material mass may be pressed using a pressure of at least about 1 MPa, at least about 2.5 MPa, at least about 5 MPa, at least about 25 MPa, at least about 100 MPa, or at least about 250 MPa.

[0138] The PCM additive content in the compressed mass may be higher than that desired in the final PCM composition, so that when the kit is used, the kit components are diluted with the latent heat storage material to achieve the desired concentration of the PCM additive in the final PCM composition.

[0139] The PCM additives forming the components of the kit can be mixed with the latent heat storage material or its precursor and melt-cast into a block comprising the components of the kit. The specific method is to heat the PCM additives and / or the latent heat storage material to a temperature sufficient to melt any one or more PCM additives and / or latent heat storage materials, and then combine the materials into a single liquid or suspension. Then, the liquid or suspension is cooled to solidify into one or more blocks comprising the components of the kit. The content of PCM additives in the molten block is higher than the content of additives required in the final PCM composition, so when the kit is used, the kit components will be diluted by the latent heat storage material, so that the concentration of PCM additives reaches the desired level in the final PCM composition.

[0140] The PCM additives forming the components of the kit can be dissolved or suspended in the latent heat storage material in liquid form. The PCM additives forming the components of the kit can be dissolved or suspended in the latent heat storage material at a concentration higher than that desired in the final PCM composition, and then the kit components are mixed with the latent heat storage material to reduce the concentration of the PCM additive to the desired level.

[0141] Therefore, the kit components, when mixed with latent heat storage materials into a composite compressed block and / or melt-cast block, or dissolved or suspended in latent heat storage materials, can be regarded as additive concentrates or additive concentrated forms of PCM produced using the kit components. In this article, additive concentrates are defined as components with a relatively high additive concentration that can be diluted with latent heat storage materials to produce PCM.

[0142] In the kit component, the concentration of the kit component may be at least 2 times, at least 5 times, at least 10 times, at least 50 times, at least 100 times, at least 200 times, or at least 500 times the desired concentration of the final PCM composition.

[0143] The latent heat storage material may be used to produce a dilution factor of at least 1 in 2, at least 1 in 5, at least 1 in 10, at least 1 in 50, at least 1 in 100, at least 1 in 200, or at least 1 in 500 to produce the final PCM.

[0144] One or more latent heat storage material precursors may also be used to provide such a dilution factor.

[0145] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a PCM, the method comprising: providing a set of materials, the set of materials comprising:

[0146] At least one PCM additive component, wherein

[0147] The PCM additive components are:

[0148] Compressed form;

[0149] Casting form;

[0150] and / or

[0151] In liquid or suspension form; and

[0152] providing a latent heat storage material or a latent heat storage material precursor; and

[0153] The kit components are combined with a latent heat storage material or a latent heat storage material precursor.

[0154] The kit may be used by combining one or more of the kit components with a latent heat storage material.

[0155] Combining the kit (or multiple kit components) with the latent heat storage material may include dispersing the components in the latent heat storage material by any suitable means. For example, the kit components are dispersed in the latent heat storage material (e.g., melted latent heat storage material, or in other words, latent heat storage material in liquid phase) by stirring, melting, abrasion, dissolution, dilution, gas evolution, phase change, photochemical degradation, or a combination thereof. The latent heat storage material may be in liquid phase, such as melted latent heat storage material.

[0156] The method may include heating the latent heat storage material to above its melting point to provide a liquid phase latent heat storage material. The method may include heating the latent heat storage material and the kit component during the mixing step. The method may include mixing or stirring the combined latent heat storage material and the kit additive component after combining. The latent heat storage material and the kit component may be combined by simultaneous heating and mixing.

[0157] The latent heat storage material precursor may include water and / or one or more acids or bases, which may react with the corresponding bases or acids to form salts to constitute the latent heat storage material.

[0158] The method may include adding the kit components to water as a precursor of the latent heat storage material, followed by adding anhydrous salts and / or salts having a hydrate content lower than that required for the final PCM to the mixture of the kit components and water. This results in the precursor water combining with the kit components and solids (such as salts and / or hydrates of salts) to form a PCM, resulting in the final PCM.

[0159] The method may include adding the kit components to an acid (e.g., liquid acid) as a precursor of the latent heat storage material, followed by adding a base to the mixture of the kit components and the acid. This may result in the precursor acid combining with the kit components and the base to form a PCM, resulting in a final PCM.

[0160] The method may include adding the kit components to a base as a precursor of the latent heat storage material, followed by adding an acid to the mixture of the kit components and the base. This may result in the precursor base combining with the kit components and the acid to form a PCM, resulting in a final PCM.

[0161] In another aspect, a method of making a PCM is provided, the method comprising combining one or more components of the kit described herein with other PCM components (eg, latent heat storage materials) in a thermal energy storage device.

[0162] The thermal energy storage device may include one or more containers, in which any one or a combination of the following may be installed:

[0163] one or more heat exchangers;

[0164] one or more heat sources;

[0165] One or more cooling sources; and / or

[0166] One or more ports through which materials (e.g., additives, latent heat storage materials, precursors, PCMs) can be added or removed from the device.

[0167] The thermal energy storage device may also include insulation, sensor and control circuits and / or means of mixing the PCM.

[0168] The thermal energy storage device may also include means for adding material to the container of the device. This may be a funnel, a pipe, a sleeve, a port or other means which may be removed from the device after use. The means for adding material to the container of the thermal energy storage device may also be a housing into which the kit components may be placed during preparation.

[0169] The PCM manufacturing method disclosed herein may include placing a kit component within a thermal energy storage device, followed by adding the remaining PCM components. The remaining kit components may include latent heat storage materials.

[0170] The kits may also be used to combine kit components with other PCM components (eg, latent heat storage materials) in a thermal energy storage device including internal components (eg, pipes, one or more heat exchangers, heating / cooling devices).

[0171] The method may include placing the kit components within a thermal energy storage device and contacting one or more heat exchangers and / or one or more heat sources within the thermal energy storage device that provide heat. Contacting the components with the one or more heat sources may allow the heat sources to heat the kit components before and / or during the addition of the remaining PCM components (e.g., latent heat storage material). The latent heat storage material may then be combined with the kit components as a liquid (i.e., in a molten state).

[0172] The kit components may be preferentially arranged such that the latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof is added to the kit components when the materials are combined (ie impinges upon them when added) and forms a PCM within the thermal energy storage device.

[0173] The kits may also be used by combining kit components with one or more precursors of other PCM components (e.g., latent heat storage material precursors). The precursors may be configured to be subsequently converted to PCM, optionally reacting with one or more components in the kit.

[0174] As disclosed in the examples below, the inventors have discovered that such a kit of materials can be used to simplify the production of most PCMs, reduce the required metering, reduce material volume and shipping volume, speed up production, facilitate convenient metering of each component, make the production process safer, and avoid endothermic effects during PCM production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0175] Figure 1 Processes for making and using the kits described herein are shown.

[0176] Figure 2 A method of forming a compressed additive component mass in a mould apparatus (201) is shown, wherein loose powder form of one or more additives (202) is located in the mould and compressed in an indicated direction (203) to form a compressed additive mass (204) which can be removed from the mould and formed as part of or as a whole of a kit of materials for producing a PCM.

[0177] Figure 3 A method is shown of forming a molten-cast additive component mass in a mold (301), into which a molten additive (302) is poured and allowed to solidify to form a molten-cast additive mass (303), which is then removed from the mold to form part of or the entirety of a kit for producing a PCM.

[0178] Figure 4 A method of making a PCM using a kit of materials within a thermal battery device is shown, the thermal battery device including a container (401) and an example internal device (402), which may be a heat exchanger or other conduit, wherein the locations of the kit of materials components (403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408) are indicated, and the flow direction of latent heat storage materials and / or their precursors (409) is also indicated to form a PCM (410) within the thermal battery.

[0179] Figure 5 A method of making a PCM using one or more kit components within a thermal battery device is shown, the thermal battery device comprising a container (501) and an example internal device (502), which may be a heat exchanger or other conduit, wherein the kit components (503) are located in the flow path of a latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof (504), thereby forming a PCM (506) within the thermal battery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0180] The present invention relates to the production of a phase change material (PCM) consisting of a latent heat storage material and one or more additives which improve certain properties of the latent heat storage material. Although some latent heat storage materials may not require any modification when used as thermal energy storage media, additives are often used to improve the properties of latent heat storage materials and / or to overcome negative effects of the materials.

[0181] Problems faced by latent heat storage materials include but are not limited to:

[0182] - Poor nucleation;

[0183] -Slow crystal growth kinetics;

[0184] - Poor cycle stability;

[0185] -corrosion;

[0186] - the phase transition temperature is not suitable; and / or

[0187] -Thermal insulation properties.

[0188] Therefore, additives are often used to overcome or alleviate problems that arise in latent heat storage materials, thereby making them more suitable for applications or improving their suitability for applications.

[0189] Nucleating agents are often used when latent heat storage materials are supercooled, a phenomenon where the material remains in a metastable liquid state below its phase transition temperature. Furthermore, once nucleated, crystal growth may be slow, limiting the achievable thermal power of the system. Crystallization promoter additives can be used to increase the thermal power of the system.

[0190] Repeated thermal charging and discharging (i.e., through phase change cycling) is also a key parameter for PCMs, however many latent heat storage materials exhibit instability when undergoing this process. Additives such as polymers, surfactants, and thickeners can be used to improve cycling stability, hindering the decomposition or separation of the PCM and allowing long-term use.

[0191] Typically, PCMs exhibit phase transitions at different temperatures and absorb and release heat at these temperatures. If the phase transition temperature of the latent heat storage material is not suitable for the chosen application, the phase transition temperature can be adjusted by adding impure additives, which are usually called melting point depressant additives.

[0192] The latent heat storage material may also cause corrosion to one or more system seal materials and / or any other internal components that come in contact with the PCM. If corrosion is found to be a problem, corrosion inhibitors may be added to the PCM mix to mitigate the problem.

[0193] Latent heat storage materials may also have low thermal conductivity, also known as thermal insulation, and therefore cannot melt and freeze quickly or at high power. Additives such as carbonaceous materials (e.g., graphite, graphene), other planar materials (e.g., boron nitride), and / or other nanomaterials (e.g., nanoparticles, rods, tubes) can be used as additives to improve the thermal conductivity of PCMs.

[0194] The pH of latent heat storage materials can be unfavorable. Materials at extreme pH values ​​can be difficult to handle, so the pH must be carefully adjusted to ensure that all materials in contact with the PCM remain stable (i.e., do not corrode or otherwise degrade). pH adjusting additives (such as acids, bases, and buffers) can be used as additives to produce PCMs with a pH adjusted to a certain value.

[0195] Certain latent heat storage materials may be a medium for microbial growth. In this case, it may be necessary to use antimicrobial additives to control the growth of the microorganisms.

[0196] Furthermore, various types of additives listed may be used together with any other additives desired for PCM performance.

[0197] Therefore, additives commonly used in PCM include any one or more of the following:

[0198] - nucleating agents;

[0199] - Stabilizers;

[0200] - Melting point depressants;

[0201] - anti-corrosion agents;

[0202] -rheology modifiers;

[0203] - pH regulator;

[0204] - thermal conductivity enhancers; and / or

[0205] -Antimicrobial agents.

[0206] Under standard temperature and pressure conditions, these additives are usually loose solids in the form of powders, granules and / or flakes. However, this is disadvantageous for the preparation of PCMs because these solid forms are generally difficult to process on a large scale and can be hazardous to workers.

[0207] Bulk solids can be difficult or expensive to measure or meter in real time. Measuring solids with acceptable accuracy, especially additives which may only be a small percentage of the overall PCM, can be difficult, slow and / or expensive. It is advantageous to increase the production rate of the PCM because less energy is required to overcome heat losses if the production rate is fast. Therefore, rapid addition of additives is highly advantageous.

[0208] Loose solids are often difficult to transfer from one container to another and are often done manually, resulting in operators having to lift a lot of heavy objects.

[0209] Loose solids may create dust or become airborne, posing an inhalation hazard to workers. Loose solids may also cause splashing when they enter the PCM mix, which may be a further hazard to operators, especially when producing very hot or very cold PCM or PCM that may be toxic, harmful or irritating.

[0210] Additionally, the transfer of bulk solids from one container to another, or into the PCM in an accurate manner is often slow and is usually measured gravimetrically, requiring repeated offline measurements, further slowing the process.

[0211] Certain solids may have a large endothermic effect when added to PCMs. As the additive dissolves in the PCM, energy may be transferred from the PCM to the PCM additive, disrupting the PCM additive's lattice structure and cooling the PCM. This cooling effect may be sufficient to cause unwanted crystallization, which could damage equipment or impede the transfer of PCM from one container to another.

[0212] The use of loose solids in transporting materials for PCM production is inefficient because most of the volume is taken up by the voids between the particles. Therefore, loose solids are more expensive to transport than solids that have been compacted or otherwise made compact.

[0213] Therefore, it is beneficial to avoid the use of loose solids as much as possible during the preparation of PCMs.

[0214] The present invention describes a kit for producing / manufacturing a phase change material (PCM), the kit comprising an additive in compressed form, melt-cast form and / or in liquid form or suspension form. Thus, the present invention describes a kit for producing / manufacturing a PCM, wherein the kit does not contain a bulk solid additive. In other words, in the kit of the present invention, the use of a bulk solid additive is avoided by compressing the bulk solid additive into a shape-stable mass, forming it into a shape-stable mass by melt-casting and / or dissolving or suspending it in a liquid to provide a liquid form. The kit may further comprise a latent heat storage material and / or a latent heat storage material precursor.

[0215] The present invention also describes methods of making PCMs by combining the kit components with other PCM components (e.g., latent heat storage materials) and / or PCM precursors (e.g., adding salt to water to form brine eutectics or salt hydrates). The entire process from forming the kit to using the kit is described in Figure 1 Shown in.

[0216] As used herein, a suspension may be defined as a liquid in which a solid is present. A suspension may have different chemical properties than a liquid (i.e., solid material in a different liquid material), however, a solid may also have the same properties as a liquid (i.e., material in solid form in a liquid form of the same material). A solid may be described as being dispersed in a liquid, which may be dispersed in a homogeneous or heterogeneous manner. A homogeneous dispersion may be defined as a uniform distribution of a solid throughout a liquid, whereas a heterogeneous dispersion refers to a non-uniform distribution of a solid throughout a liquid.

[0217] The present invention relates to a kit for producing a phase change material (PCM), wherein the kit comprises:

[0218] At least one PCM additive component, wherein:

[0219] The at least one PCM additive component is:

[0220] Compressed form;

[0221] Casting form;

[0222] and / or

[0223] In liquid form or suspension form.

[0224] The kit is then configured to produce a PCM by combining the kit components with a latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof.

[0225] In this context, the final PCM itself consists of latent heat storage materials and PCM additives, and the PCM additives are derived from the kit of materials described as part of the present invention. In other words, the PCM without any additives is called the latent heat storage material, and after combining the latent heat storage material with the PCM additive, it becomes the PCM. The final PCM is defined as the final product of using the kit of materials in combination with one or more latent heat storage materials and / or their precursors.

[0226] The latent heat storage material may be a salt, a salt hydrate, a salt water eutectic, or an organic material. The latent heat storage material is defined herein as a PCM other than a PCM additive. A PCM is defined as a latent heat storage material to which any additives are added. The latent heat storage material precursor may be any material configured to be converted into a latent heat storage material.

[0227] The latent heat storage material precursor can form the latent heat storage material by reaction (which can be a neutralization reaction), concentration, dilution and / or dissolution. At least two precursors can be combined to form the latent heat storage material. For example, if the latent heat storage material is a salt, the precursor can be an acid and a base, configured to react to form the salt. In addition, for example, if the latent heat storage material is a salt hydrate, the precursor can be a salt (or a corresponding acid / base precursor) and / or water. In addition, for example, latent heat storage materials and their precursors are given in Table 1.

[0228]

[0229]

[0230] The kit may include a single component or multiple components. Each kit component may include a single additive or multiple additives. By way of non-limiting example, a kit may include a single kit component, which itself is composed of multiple additives. By way of yet another non-limiting example, a kit may include multiple components, each including a single additive.

[0231] The PCM additive may be supplied in the kit as discrete items in solid or liquid form. The discrete items may have a pre-measured amount of the PCM additive. Advantageously, the PCM additive is provided as discrete items so that the user can count the number of items to add the required amount to prepare the PCM, thereby avoiding weighing or measuring the amount of additive. In the context of the present invention, when the PCM additive is in solid form, the discrete objects may be named blocks.

[0232] The PCM additive may be supplied in the kit in the form of one or more compressed blocks. The PCM additive may be supplied in the kit in the form of one or more molten cast blocks.

[0233] As used herein, a "block" is defined as a quantity of a substance or material forming a single mass or object, and multiple "blocks" are interpreted accordingly (i.e., multiple blocks or objects). Compressed and molten additive blocks that form part of or the entirety of a kit may be described as being form-stable or having form stability, which is defined as the ability to retain a macroscopic shape in the absence of a supporting container. This is in contrast to powders, granules, or flakes, which form deposits with a characteristic angle of repose after the supporting container is removed. Form-stable blocks can be handled and used as a single item.

[0234] The inventors have found that when the volume of a single block is less than about 0.1 cm 3 The advantage of PCM additives being form-stabilized in these masses (i.e., applied through compression and / or melt casting) is lost when the particles begin to behave as loose powders or granules rather than macroscopic masses.

[0235] In order to obtain the advantages of using a macroscopically stable additive mass, it is therefore necessary to compress / melt-cast the material in the mass into a mass of macroscopic character (i.e., a size much larger than loose powders, flakes, and / or granules). The inventors have found that the shape stability of the additives described herein should be at least about 0.1 cm in size. 3 , thereby acting as a single macroscopic component rather than one or a pile of loose particles. At this volume and above, the blocks can be used by physically counting them into the PCM preparation container, as the inventors have found that this size is the minimum size required for reliable, predictable, low-error loading of PCM additives.

[0236] Therefore, the volume of any compressed and / or cast block should be greater than about 0.1 cm 3 .

[0237] Compressed and cast solid additives may be formed by compression and / or casting into blocks of any size or combination of the following: greater than about 1 cm 3 ; Greater than about 100cm 3 ; Greater than about 500cm 3 ; greater than about 1,000cm 3 ; greater than about 5,000cm 3 ; greater than about 10,000cm 3 , depending on the size and relative loading of the desired PCM additive preparation. For ease of handling, preferably, the volume of these additive blocks is about 1-1000 cm 3 .

[0238] Compressed blocks and molten cast blocks are disclosed herein, the dimensions of which are formed (ie compressed or cast as a melt) in a container which determines the dimensions of the block produced. Thus, for compressed additive blocks, the compression mold used determines the dimensions of the block produced.

[0239] Therefore, the size of the mold into which the PCM additive is cast from the molten state controls the size of the blocks produced when the melt casting method is used. Therefore, the inner dimensions of the mold used for compression and / or the mold used for melt casting are preferably greater than about 0.1 cm 3 .

[0240] Using such a dimensionally stable block, it is very advantageous to produce blocks having a uniform predictable volume, that is, in the case of a plurality of additive blocks of the same additive forming a kit component, the blocks have the same approximate volume and dimensions.

[0241] Different kit components may have blocks of different sizes depending on the desired loading in the final PCM composition, but multiple blocks of the same additive should preferably be of uniform size. Therefore, the use of the kit components is simplified because the mass and volume of each block can be considered equal or nearly equal to the mass and volume of any other block comprising the kit component, and no precise measurement is required during use, but simple counting is sufficient.

[0242] Compressed solids and / or melt-cast additives may be compressed and / or melt-cast into any one or more of the following geometries:

[0243] sphere;

[0244] cube;

[0245] Ellipsoid;

[0246] Cylinder;

[0247] cone;

[0248] Star shape;

[0249] Any pyramid;

[0250] Any flake geometry;

[0251] Any rod-like geometry; and / or

[0252] Any bipyramid.

[0253] The PCM additive may be present in the kit in compressed form. The present inventors have found that compression is a method of producing a dimensionally stable block containing the additive for producing the PCM.

[0254] The loose solid additive may be compressed using any of the following pressures: about 1 MPa or more; about 2.5 MPa or more; about 5 MPa or more; about 25 MPa or more; about 100 MPa or more; or about 250 MPa or more to form a compressed solid additive present in the kit.

[0255] Where the compressed solid additive disperses rapidly in the latent heat storage material, low pressures (ie, from about 1 MPa to about 25 MPa) may be used. Where it is preferred that the solid material disperse more slowly in the latent heat storage material, pressures of at least or about 25 MPa may be applied.

[0256] MPa can be understood as equivalent to 1*10 6 Pa, or 1*10 6 Nm -2 .

[0257] The compressed additive blocks may include a single additive per block or may include multiple additives per block. Combining the loose solids of multiple additive materials prior to compression may produce a compressed block containing multiple additives. Alternatively, the loose solids may also be mixed by mixing solid powders prior to compression. The loose solids may also be layered (i.e., added to the compression mold as a series of layers) prior to compression.

[0258] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the production of compressed additive blocks is shown. Figure 2 In the present invention, a loose powder (202) of one or more additives is placed in a pressure-rated mold (201) and a compressive force is applied along the axis of arrow (203). This will produce a compressed block containing PCM additives (204) that can be removed from the mold and formed into all or part of a kit material.

[0259] Compression can be applied uniaxially (i.e. along Figure 2 The compression may be applied along a single axis as shown in ), or may be applied along multiple axes to produce a compressed block. For example, compression may be applied along 2, 3 or more axes. The compression may be isotropic or anisotropic. The compression must be actively applied along at least one axis, but may also be caused by the material being constrained within the mold along one or more axes.

[0260] The PCM additive may be present in the kit in molten cast form. The inventors have found that molten casting is a method of forming a stable mass containing the additive for producing the PCM.

[0261] As used herein, fusion casting is defined as a process of first melting a material and then allowing the material to cool and solidify in a mold or on a surface to obtain one or more pieces of mass.

[0262] Figure 3 An overall schematic diagram of the process is shown. Figure 3 It is shown that a molten component (302) is added to a mold (301), wherein at least one or more additives are included. The melt (302) is then passively or actively cooled to solidify to form a molten cast (303), which can be removed from the mold and can form part or all of a set of materials for producing a PCM.

[0263] A bulk form of a single additive material may be melted by heating to a temperature above its melting point, then poured into a mold and / or onto a surface to cool and solidify. Alternatively, one or more fused cast additive blocks may be prepared that include multiple additives.

[0264] The method of producing one or more such blocks is as follows:

[0265] combining PCM additive materials in loose solid form;

[0266] Optional mixing;

[0267] heating the PCM additive to a melting point of at least one of the PCM additive materials;

[0268] optionally mixed; and / or

[0269] The PCM additive composite is cooled to solidify.

[0270] To produce the molten-cast additive mass, ambient cooling can be used to solidify the material into one or more molten-cast masses. Active cooling can also be used, such as using cooling plates, cooling gases (such as air) or liquids through or near the mold.

[0271] The salt and / or salt hydrate additives may preferably be added to the kit in melt-cast form.

[0272] The PCM additive may be present in the kit in liquid form.

[0273] The PCM additive can be liquefied by dissolving and / or suspending. Where a liquid additive or suspension additive is desired, a solvent such as water, oil or an organic or ionic liquid can be used.

[0274] In the case of multiple additives present in the kit, one or more additives may be liquefied by dissolving or suspending in one or more other liquid additives. As a non-limiting example, a liquid polymer additive may be used as a medium to dissolve and / or suspend a loose solid additive.

[0275] As another non-limiting example, the additives may be in a molten and / or supercooled state, and other loose solid additives may be dissolved and / or suspended therein. These mixtures or suspensions may include kit components.

[0276] The PCM additive component may be present in the liquid additive kit component at or above the solubility limit.

[0277] The PCM additive may be initially solid and become liquid by heat treatment prior to use.

[0278] As part of the present invention, a kit for producing PCM is provided, wherein the kit includes one or more PCM additive components. The present invention also provides one or more PCM additive components having a volume of at least about 0.1 cm 3The invention relates to a compressed and / or cast solid block, wherein any compressed block is subjected to a compression of at least about 1 MPa. One or more PCM additive components may be in liquid or suspension form. The PCM additive may be liquid at ambient temperature and pressure conditions. The PCM additive may be dissolved or suspended in a solvent. One or more additives may be dissolved in one or more other additives. One or more additives may be rendered liquid by heating.

[0279] PCM additives can be any one or more of the following additives: polymers; monomers; polymerization initiators; surfactants; salts; salt hydrates; acids; bases; oxides; carbides; silicates; carbonaceous materials; organic matter; heterocycles; oils and / or waxes; these additives are supplied in the kit in compressed form, melt-cast form and / or liquid or suspension form.

[0280] Table 2 gives non-limiting examples of various categories of additives, their purpose, and their preferred form in the kits disclosed herein.

[0281]

[0282]

[0283] The kit components may also include the latent heat storage material to be added thereto. The combination of the kit components with the latent heat storage material thus becomes a dilution process.

[0284] It is possible to use a kit component having a relatively high concentration of additive (e.g., a concentration of additive higher than that desired in a final PCM composition made using the kit), and then combine the kit with a latent heat storage material when the kit is used to reduce the concentration of the PCM additive to the desired level in the final PCM composition.

[0285] The PCM additive forming the kit component can be mixed with the latent heat storage material in solid form and compressed into a block including the kit component. In this process, a pressure of more than about 1 MPa; more than about 2.5 MPa; more than about 5 MPa; more than about 25 MPa; more than about 100 MPa or more than about 250 MPa can be used to form the PCM additive-latent heat storage material block.

[0286] The content of PCM additive in the compressed mass is higher than the desired content in the final PCM composition, so when the kit is used, the kit components are diluted with the latent heat storage material to achieve the concentration of PCM additive to the desired level in the final PCM composition.

[0287] The PCM additives forming the kit components can be mixed with the latent heat storage material and melted into blocks to form the kit components. Specifically, the PCM additives and / or the latent heat storage material are heated to a temperature sufficient to melt any one or more of the PCM additives and / or the latent heat storage material, and the materials are combined into a single liquid or suspension. Then, the liquid or suspension is cooled to solidify into one or more blocks including the kit components.

[0288] The PCM additive content in the molten block is higher than the desired content in the final PCM composition, so when the kit is used, the kit components are diluted with the latent heat storage material to achieve the concentration of the PCM additive to the desired level in the final PCM composition.

[0289] The PCM additives forming the components of the kit can be dissolved or suspended in the latent heat storage material in liquid form. The PCM additives forming the components of the kit can be dissolved or suspended in the latent heat storage material at a concentration higher than that required in the final PCM composition, and then the kit components are mixed with the latent heat storage material to reduce the concentration of the PCM additive to the desired level.

[0290] Therefore, the kit components, when mixed with latent heat storage materials into composite compressed blocks and / or molten cast blocks, or dissolved or suspended in latent heat storage materials, can be regarded as additive concentrates or additive concentrated forms of PCM produced using the kit components. In this article, additive concentrates are defined as components with a relatively high additive concentration that can be diluted with latent heat storage materials to produce PCM.

[0291] In the kit component, the concentration of the kit component may be more than 2 times, more than 5 times, more than 10 times, more than 50 times, more than 100 times, more than 200 times, or more than 500 times the desired concentration of the final PCM composition.

[0292] The latent heat storage material may be used to produce a dilution factor of 1 in 2 or more, 1 in 5 or more, 1 in 10 or more, 1 in 50 or more, 1 in 100 or more, 1 in 200 or more, or 1 in 500 or more to produce the final PCM.

[0293] One or more latent heat storage material precursors may also be used to provide such a dilution factor.

[0294] Table 3 lists various non-limiting examples of kit components and types of latent heat storage materials that may be combined therewith to produce a PCM.

[0295]

[0296]

[0297]

[0298] also, Figure 4 Specific and non-limiting examples of kit components and latent heat storage materials that can be combined therewith to produce a PCM are given.

[0299]

[0300]

[0301]

[0302]

[0303] A further aspect of the present invention discloses a method for preparing PCM. The method comprises:

[0304] Providing a kit of materials disclosed herein;

[0305] Providing latent heat storage materials; and

[0306] The kit components are combined with a latent heat storage material.

[0307] Combining the kit (or kit component) with the latent heat storage material may include mixing or stirring the components and materials together. During and after the process of combining the kit component with the latent heat storage material, the components and / or the latent heat storage material and / or their mixture may be stirred and / or heated. The mixture of the kit component and the latent heat storage material may be heated. The mixture may be heated during the mixing process and / or after the materials are mixed.

[0308] The latent heat storage material and / or its precursor may preferably be in a liquid phase.The latent heat storage material and / or its precursor may be heated to melt (ie the latent heat storage material may be in a molten state).

[0309] Part of the present invention further discloses a method for making PCM. The method includes providing a kit of materials disclosed herein. Next, the method includes providing a latent heat storage material precursor. The precursor can be water and / or an acid or a base.

[0310] Next, the method may include combining the kit components with a precursor of a PCM, optionally adding one or more salts, acids if the precursor comprises a base, and optionally adding one or more bases if the precursor comprises an acid and / or water. Next, the method may include combining the kit and the latent heat storage material precursor to produce a PCM.

[0311] In this embodiment, the kit components are combined with a latent heat storage material precursor, which can be an acid or a base, and the base or acid is added, respectively, and the final PCM is obtained by neutralization. The final PCM can be defined as an energy storage material that can be used without further modification. Therefore, most PCMs (such as most salt hydrate latent heat storage materials) are formed by neutralizing the precursor and adding the kit components at the same time.

[0312] Alternatively, the kit components may be added to the precursor water, followed by the addition of anhydrous salts and / or salts having a hydrate content lower than that desired in the final PCM. The result is that the precursor (in this case, water) combines with the kit components and solids (e.g., salts and / or salt hydrates) to form the PCM, thereby obtaining the final PCM.

[0313] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid PCM precursor may be water, and the PCM is produced by combining the PCM precursor with the kit components and salts.

[0314] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid PCM precursor may be an acid, and the PCM is produced by combining the PCM precursor with the kit components and a base.

[0315] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid PCM precursor may be a base, and the PCM is produced by combining the PCM precursor with the kit components and an acid.

[0316] The use of the kit described herein comprises a method that can reduce the complexity of preparing PCM. In the case of unskilled operators, the need for precise weighing and measuring is preferably avoided, and the macroscopic, form-stable blocks of additives or volumes of liquid that can be added can greatly simplify and speed up the preparation process. In this case, there is no need to weigh the additives and latent heat storage materials in the correct proportions, and only the compressed blocks of additives need to be counted to prepare the PCM.

[0317] The use of compressed additive blocks and / or liquid additives to prepare PCM samples also reduces the formation of hazardous dust or the risk of splashing. Another advantage of this approach is that the production of the PCM additive is separated from the production of the entire PCM composition. Therefore, small-scale preparation processes and large-scale preparation processes can be carried out at different times, thereby reducing complexity and making the overall production process flexible. Nucleating agents are usually small loadings, potentially high cost, and subject to fine tolerances, so they can be prepared separately from the bulk of the latent heat storage material. This allows the additive to be prepared more accurately when convenient and used when needed, increasing the flexibility of the production process.

[0318] The kit components disclosed herein may be dispersed in a (eg, liquid) latent heat storage material by agitation, melting, attrition, dissolution, dilution, gas evolution, phase change, photochemical degradation, or a combination thereof.

[0319] For an unskilled person using the method for preparing a PCM using the kit of materials defined herein, it is advantageous that the size of any solid component (i.e. compressed and / or molten component) is such that an integer number of pieces can be used to produce the PCM. By this method, a simple and fast counting process replaces the slow measuring (weighing) process.

[0320] Another aspect of the invention discloses a method of making a PCM, the method comprising combining the kit components described herein with other PCM components (i.e. latent heat storage materials) in a thermal energy storage device. The thermal energy storage device may be referred to as a heat or thermal energy store, reservoir, battery, buffer or storage.

[0321] The thermal energy storage device may include one or more containers, in which any one or more of the following devices may be installed:

[0322] one or more heat exchangers;

[0323] one or more heat sources;

[0324] One or more cooling sources; and / or

[0325] One or more ports through which material can be added or removed from the device.

[0326] The thermal energy storage device may also include insulation, sensor and control circuits and / or a device for mixing PCM.

[0327] The thermal energy storage device may also include a means for adding material to the container of the device. This may be a funnel, a pipe, a sleeve, a port or other device that can be removed from the device after use. The means for adding material to the container of the thermal energy storage device may also be a housing into which the kit components may be placed during preparation.

[0328] When using the kit disclosed herein, the kit components may be placed in a thermal energy storage device first, and then the remaining PCM components may be added, wherein the remaining kit components may include latent heat storage materials.

[0329] For example, Figure 4 The kit components are shown in various locations within a thermal battery housing (401) that includes internal thermal battery components (402), such as a heat exchanger. The kit components can be applied in various locations prior to being combined with other PCM components or their precursors. For example, the kit components can be located at the bottom of the thermal battery device against the container wall (403), at a point on the container wall (405), and / or at the top of any thermal battery component near the container wall (404).

[0330] The kit material component may also be located at the center of the thermal battery at the bottom of the thermal battery container (408), within the core (407) of any internal thermal battery component (such as a heat exchanger), or at the top (406) of any thermal battery component. Once located within the thermal battery container and / or on the surface of any internal thermal battery component, other PCM components or any precursors thereof may be introduced into the thermal battery container (409) to produce a PCM (410) containing PCM additives, wherein the PCM additives form the kit material component. In the case where the kit material component is a liquid, then placing the component anywhere other than the bottom of the thermal battery requires sufficient open space in the internal component (402) structure. If such space is not available, the liquid component will preferentially flow downward and occupy the bottom of the thermal battery until it combines with other PCM components.

[0331] When the kit components are used, the kit can be placed in a thermal energy storage device container and / or in contact with one or more devices that make up the thermal energy storage device, and then combined with the remaining kit components.

[0332] When using the kit material components, it may be preferred to contact the kit material with one or more heat exchangers and / or one or more heat sources that provide heat. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the kit material components are contacted with one or more heat sources, which may be heat exchangers that provide heat, for applying heat to the kit material components before and during the addition of the remaining PCM components.

[0333] The latent heat storage material may be combined with the kit components as a liquid (ie in a molten state).

[0334] When adding latent heat storage material to a thermal energy storage device, it may be preferred to use a kit component that is placed in the path of the latent heat storage material so that the liquid latent heat storage material impacts the surface of the kit component when combined with the kit component.

[0335] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a method for making a PCM using the kit described herein is shown. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the thermal battery container (501) contains internal devices to allow the use of the thermal battery (502), which serves as a platform for placing the kit material components (503). The kit material components are then combined with other PCM components (i.e., latent heat storage materials or precursors thereof) by flowing other PCM components over the surface of the kit material components according to (504), thereby forming PCM (506) within the thermal battery device.

[0336] When a kit component is used, the component may be placed on the upper surface of one or more heat exchangers and then combined with the remaining PCM component by flowing the kit component through the kit component and into the PCM container.

[0337] Table 4 shows various examples of methods of using the kits described herein.

[0338]

[0339]

[0340] The method described in Table 4 can also be performed in a thermal battery device.

[0341] Example

[0342] Example 1

[0343] A kit of materials for producing a PCM containing calcium nitrate tetrahydrate as a latent heat storage material is prepared, the kit of materials comprising the nucleating agents magnesium nitrate and strontium nitrate in the form of a molten cast block. The molten cast block comprises:

[0344] Strontium nitrate (50 wt.%); and

[0345] Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate (50 wt. %).

[0346] The molten ingot was prepared as follows:

[0347] The magnesium nitrate hexahydrate is first heated to above 89°C and then mixed with the strontium nitrate. The mixture is stirred or otherwise agitated before being poured into molds and cooled to ambient temperature and solidified.

[0348] The kit containing the molten mass is then mixed with molten calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (above about 43°C) to give a final concentration of about 0.4 wt.% each of strontium nitrate and magnesium nitrate hexahydrate. The mixture is stirred to dissolve and disperse the molten additive mass.

[0349] Example 2

[0350] A kit for producing PCM containing sodium acetate trihydrate as a latent heat storage material is prepared, wherein the kit comprises disodium phosphate dihydrate as a nucleating agent in the form of compressed blocks and sodium polymethacrylate as a stabilizer in the form of a liquid solution.

[0351] The nucleating agent is compressed into a disc with a diameter of about 5 cm and a height of about 1 cm by a pressure of about 10 MPa. Sodium polymethacrylate is dissolved in water with a concentration of about 40 wt.%. These two parts constitute the components of the complete set of materials.

[0352] When using the kit, first add the two kit components into water and heat it to above 58°C, then add anhydrous sodium acetate to obtain a PCM with the following composition, approximately:

[0353] 97 wt.% sodium acetate trihydrate;

[0354] 2 wt.% disodium phosphate dihydrate; and

[0355] 1wt.% sodium polymethacrylate.

[0356] The PCM is then mixed while maintaining the temperature above about 58°C until both additive components from the kit are completely dissolved and dispersed.

[0357] Example 3

[0358] A kit for producing a PCM containing calcium chloride hexahydrate as a latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises nucleating agents potassium chloride, sodium chloride and strontium chloride hexahydrate.

[0359] Solid potassium chloride and sodium chloride are mixed in a mass ratio of 80:20 and compressed into cubes by using a pressure of about 25 MPa to compress potassium chloride and sodium chloride into blocks.

[0360] Solid strontium chloride hexahydrate is heated to about 61°C, poured into a mold, cooled to room temperature and solidified to form a molten cast block.

[0361] These two solid blocks constitute the PCM kit component.

[0362] Next, using the kit, each component is added to water and heated to above 28°C, followed by the addition of calcium chloride dihydrate, so that the entire composition of the PCM is approximately

[0363] 47 wt.% calcium chloride;

[0364] 46 wt.% water;

[0365] 4wt.% potassium chloride;

[0366] 1 wt.% sodium chloride; and

[0367] 2 wt.% strontium chloride hexahydrate.

[0368] Next, the PCM is mixed while maintaining the temperature above about 28°C until the two additive components from the kit are completely dissolved and dispersed.

[0369] Example 4

[0370] A kit for producing a PCM containing a brine eutectic latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises:

[0371] Melting point depressant magnesium sulfate in compressed form;

[0372] The nucleating agent additive silver iodide in compressed form; and

[0373] Nucleating agent silica in compressed form.

[0374] Each PCM additive was compressed into a disc of about 10 cm diameter and 2 cm height using a pressure of about 100 MPa. These discs constituted a kit of materials for the production of PCM.

[0375] To form the PCM, the kit was used as follows. First, compressed discs including magnesium sulfate were added to a quantity of water such that the mass loading of magnesium sulfate was approximately 19 wt.%, and the mixture was stirred. Next, discs of silver iodide and silicon dioxide were added such that the concentrations of the final mixture were approximately 0.1 wt.% and 1 wt.%, respectively.

[0376] Example 5

[0377] A kit for producing a PCM containing magnesium nitrate hexahydrate as a latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises:

[0378] Melting point depressant lithium nitrate trihydrate; and

[0379] Corrosion inhibitor: benzotriazole.

[0380] The kit consists of a single component formed by dissolving about 0.08 wt.% of benzotriazole in molten lithium nitrate trihydrate above a melting point of 30° C. This mixture is allowed to freeze in a mold.

[0381] Next, the kit is used by heating the kit components to their melting points (30° C. or higher) to melt, and combining the melted kit components with melted magnesium nitrate hexahydrate at 89° C. or higher and mixing until dispersed.

[0382] Example 6

[0383] A kit for producing a PCM containing magnesium nitrate hexahydrate as a latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises:

[0384] About 10 wt.% of expanded natural graphite is suspended in the stabilizer polyhydroxyalkylene 407 as a thermal conductivity enhancer.

[0385] The kit is used by combining the suspension with molten magnesium nitrate hexahydrate at above 89°C and mixing until dispersed.

[0386] Example 7

[0387] A kit of materials for producing a PCM containing sodium acetate trihydrate as a latent heat storage material is prepared, wherein the kit of materials comprises:

[0388] a liquid component comprising disodium phosphate (5 wt.%) and sodium polyacrylate (40 wt.%) dissolved in water (55 wt.%);

[0389] A compressed solid component comprising disodium phosphate dihydrate and

[0390] The second liquid component includes acetic acid as a pH adjuster.

[0391] Using the kit, a PCM is obtained by adding the kit components to water, heating to above 58°C, followed by the addition of anhydrous sodium acetate, having an approximate composition of:

[0392] 96.8 wt.% sodium acetate trihydrate;

[0393] 2wt.% disodium phosphate dihydrate;

[0394] 1wt.% sodium polymethacrylate, and

[0395] 0.2 wt.% acetic acid.

[0396] Next, the PCM is mixed while maintaining the temperature above about 58°C until the PCM additive components from the kit are completely dissolved and dispersed.

[0397] Example 8

[0398] A kit of materials for producing a PCM containing sodium acetate trihydrate as a latent heat storage material is prepared, wherein the kit of materials comprises:

[0399] a compressed solid block comprising alternating layers of disodium phosphate (67 wt.%) and sodium polyacrylate (33 wt.%);

[0400] The block is a disc with a diameter of about 5 cm and a height of 3 cm, and the height of the layer is about 0.2 cm.

[0401] The discs were prepared by adding alternating layers of disodium phosphate and sodium polyacrylate solids into a cylindrical mold with an internal diameter of 5 cm and compressing to 150 MPa between each addition of material. The composite compressed discs of additives constituted the kit component.

[0402] Next, the kit was used by combining the compressed discs with a solution of liquid PCM precursor sodium hydroxide (52 wt. %) dissolved in water and stirred until the kit components were dissolved and dispersed.

[0403] Next, acetic acid was added to this mixture until the final composition of the PCM was:

[0404] about 97 wt.% sodium acetate trihydrate;

[0405] about 2 wt.% disodium phosphate dihydrate; and

[0406] About 1 wt.% sodium polymethacrylate.

[0407] The mixture was maintained above 58°C.

[0408] Example 9

[0409] A kit for producing a PCM containing calcium nitrate tetrahydrate as a latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises:

[0410] A single liquid component comprising the nucleating agents magnesium nitrate and strontium nitrate dissolved in nitric acid.

[0411] The composition of the liquid is:

[0412] About 10 wt.% magnesium nitrate hexahydrate;

[0413] About 10 wt.% strontium nitrate;

[0414] about 54 wt.% nitric acid; and

[0415] About 26 wt.% water.

[0416] The kit is then used by pouring the kit components into a mixing container and adding, in order, water, anhydrous calcium carbonate; and anhydrous calcium nitrate;

[0417] Until the final composition is:

[0418] About 1 wt.% strontium nitrate;

[0419] about 1 wt.% magnesium nitrate hexahydrate; and

[0420] About 98 wt.% calcium nitrate tetrahydrate.

[0421] During the addition of calcium carbonate to the diluted kit components, mixing is achieved using the gas produced by the combination of the acid and metal carbonate. This also generates heat, which helps to produce a completely liquid PCM sample that can be easily transferred to a second container, such as a thermal battery.

[0422] Example 10

[0423] A kit for producing a PCM containing a brine eutectic latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises:

[0424] Melting point depressant magnesium nitrate in compressed form;

[0425] Nucleating agent additive silicon carbide in compressed form;

[0426] and

[0427] Nucleating agent silica in compressed form.

[0428] Each PCM additive was compressed into a disc of about 10 cm in diameter and about 2 cm in height using a pressure of about 25 MPa. These discs constituted a kit of materials for producing PCM.

[0429] Next, using the kit material components, each compressed block is added to a thermal battery device, which includes a sealed container with a heat exchanger located therein. The disc is placed on top of the heat exchanger, directly below the port through which the material is added to the sealed container.

[0430] Next, through this port, latent heat storage material (water) is added, which flows over the surface of the compressed disc, thus dissolving / dispersing the material throughout the PCM. Water is added until the final PCM composition is:

[0431] About 30 wt.% magnesium nitrate;

[0432] About 2wt.% silicon carbide;

[0433] about 2 wt.% silicon dioxide; and

[0434] About 66 wt.% water.

[0435] Embodiment 11

[0436] A kit for producing a PCM containing magnesium nitrate hexahydrate as a latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises:

[0437] Melting point depressant lithium nitrate trihydrate;

[0438] Expanded natural graphite as a thermal conductivity enhancer; and

[0439] Corrosion inhibitor: benzotriazole.

[0440] The kit consists of a single component formed by mixing about 0.08 wt.% benzotriazole and about 5 wt.% expanded natural graphite into molten lithium nitrate trihydrate having a melting point above 30° C. These ingredients are mixed until homogeneous and then used as follows.

[0441] The kit components are transferred to a thermal battery device, wherein the thermal battery comprises a sealed container, wherein the heating element is located at the bottom of the sealed container and the heat exchanger is placed above the sealed container. The kit components are poured into the sealed container so that they flow downward and occupy the space around the heating element.

[0442] Next, the kit components are allowed to freeze.

[0443] Next, the latent heat storage material magnesium nitrate hexahydrate was added as a molten liquid (ie above 89°C) to the thermal battery container.

[0444] It has been found that to improve the dispersion of the kit components throughout the PCM, the electrical heating element may be activated prior to adding the molten latent heat storage material so that the kit components are also in liquid form prior to combining with the latent heat storage material.

[0445] Example 12

[0446] A kit for producing a PCM containing a latent heat storage material dimethyl adipate, wherein the kit comprises nucleating agents titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide suspended in dimethyl adipate such that the overall composition of the kit components is approximately

[0447] 25wt.% titanium dioxide;

[0448] 25wt.% silicon dioxide;

[0449] 50 wt.% dimethyl adipate.

[0450] The suspension comprises a single kit of components.

[0451] This kit component can be considered as a concentrated form of PCM.

[0452] For use, the kit components are combined with the latent heat storage material dimethyl adipate and the nucleating agent is diluted so that the final PCM composition is approximately:

[0453] 0.5wt.% titanium dioxide;

[0454] 0.5wt.% silicon dioxide;

[0455] 99 wt.% dimethyl adipate.

[0456] Example 13

[0457] A kit for producing a PCM containing calcium nitrate tetrahydrate as a latent heat storage material, wherein the kit comprises the nucleating agents magnesium nitrate and strontium nitrate in the form of a molten cast block. The molten cast block comprises:

[0458] Strontium nitrate (50 wt.%); and

[0459] Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate (50wt.%)

[0460] The molten cast block was prepared as follows: First, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate was heated to above 89°C and combined with strontium nitrate. The mixture was mixed and poured into a mold and allowed to cool to ambient temperature and solidify.

[0461] Next, the kit is used as follows. Next, one or more molten blocks are added to a 50 wt.% calcium nitrate solution at room temperature so that the loading of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and strontium nitrate is about 1.5 wt.%. Next, the mixture is stirred and heated to above about 43°C. Next, anhydrous calcium nitrate is added so that the concentration of calcium nitrate reaches about 70 wt.%.

[0462] Many variations and other embodiments of the embodiments of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art, who will benefit from the teachings set forth in the above description, and who may make changes and modifications to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A kit for producing a phase change material (PCM), wherein the kit comprises: At least one or more PCM additive components, wherein: The at least one or more PCM additive components are: Compressed form; Casting form; and / or In liquid or suspension form.

2. The kit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The kit is configured to produce a PCM by combining at least one or more PCM additive components with a latent heat storage material and / or a precursor thereof.

3. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The at least one or more PCM additive components are selected from any one or more combinations of the following: Nucleating agent; Stabilizers; Melting point depressants; Corrosion inhibitors; Rheology modifiers; pH adjusters; Thermal conductivity enhancers; and / or Antimicrobial agent.

4. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The kit includes at least one PCM additive mass in a compressed solid form and / or a melt-cast form, wherein the at least one PCM additive mass in a compressed solid form and / or a melt-cast form has a volume of at least about 1 cm 3 ; At least about 100cm 3 ; At least about 500cm 3 ; at least about 1,000cm 3 ; at least about 5,000cm 3 ; or at least about 10,000 cm 3 .

5. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The compressed solid and / or melt-cast additive is compressed and / or melt-cast into one or more of the following geometric shapes: sphere; cube; Ellipsoid; Cylinder; cone; Star shape; Any pyramid; Any flake geometry; Any rod-like geometry; and / or Any bipyramid.

6. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The kit includes at least one PCM additive block in compressed solid form and / or molten cast form, wherein the at least one PCM additive block includes a single additive, or wherein the at least one PCM additive block includes a plurality of additives.

7. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The kit includes a plurality of compressed and / or fused-cast PCM additive masses in compressed solid form and / or fused-cast solid form, optionally wherein the masses and / or dimensions of the masses are uniform or substantially uniform.

8. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The PCM additive is in the form of a solid or a suspension, wherein: The PCM additive is a liquid and / or suspension at ambient temperature and pressure conditions; and / or The PCM additive is dissolved or suspended in a solvent; and / or One or more additives may be dissolved or suspended in one or more other additives; and / or Liquefied by heating.

9. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 8, characterized in that: The one or more additive components in liquid form include a PCM additive that is completely soluble in water.

10. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 8, characterized in that: The one or more additive components in liquid form include a PCM additive saturated in water.

11. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 8, characterized in that: The one or more additive components in liquid form include a suspension of PCM additive in water.

12. The kit according to any one of claims 1-3, 8-11, characterized in that: The one or more liquid components include a mixture of one or more additives dissolved or suspended in one or more liquid additives.

13. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The PCM additive components are: At least one compressed and / or fused cast solid mass having a volume of at least about 0.1 cm 3 ;as well as Any compressed block is subjected to a pressure of at least about 1 MPa.

14. A kit according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The PCM additive component is in the form of a liquid or a suspension, wherein The PCM additive is a liquid at ambient temperature and pressure conditions; and / or The PCM additive is dissolved or suspended in a solvent; and / or One or more additives are dissolved or suspended in one or more other additives; and / or Optionally liquefied by heating.

15. A kit according to any preceding claim, characterised in that One or more kit components include a mixture of a PCM additive and a portion of a latent heat storage material; and The kit components are configured to be used by combining with another latent heat storage material or a precursor thereof and diluting it.

16. A method of preparing a PCM additive block in compressed form for use in a kit as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising: placing a loose powder comprising one or more PCM additives in a pressure-rated mold and applying pressure to the pressure-rated mold; as well as Optionally, the pressure is at least about 1 MPa, at least about 2.5 MPa, at least about 5 MPa, at least about 25 MPa, at least about 100 MPa, or at least about 250 MPa.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The pressure is applied uniaxially, or wherein the pressure is applied in 2, 3, or more axes.

18. A method of preparing a PCM additive block in melt-cast form for use in a kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising: providing a solid comprising a PCM additive material or a mixture of PCM additive materials; Melting the PCM additive material; placing the molten additive material in or on a mold; as well as The PCM additive material is allowed to cool and solidify in the mold or on a surface to obtain one or more blocks.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The PCM additive in molten-cast form comprises a mixture of PCM additive materials, the method comprising combining the PCM additive materials in bulk solid form; and Optionally, mixing and / or heating the PCM additive to at least the melting point of one PCM additive material; and / or optionally mixed; and / or The PCM additive or additive components are allowed to cool until solidified.

20. A method for preparing a phase change material, the method comprising: Providing a kit of materials as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; providing one or more latent heat storage materials; and The kit components are combined with one or more latent heat storage materials.

21. A method for preparing a phase change material, the method comprising: Providing a kit of materials according to any one of claims 1 to 15; providing one or more liquid latent heat storage materials; and The kit components are combined with one or more liquid latent heat storage materials.

22. A method for preparing a phase change material, the method comprising: Providing a kit of materials according to any one of claims 1 to 15; A latent heat storage material precursor is provided, wherein the precursor is: water; and / or Acid; and / or Base; and / or combining the kit components with a latent heat storage material precursor; and Add one or more of the following: salt; and / or an acid, in the case where the precursor comprises a base; and / or a base, in the case where the precursor comprises an acid; and / or water.

23. The method for preparing a phase change material according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that: The latent heat storage material and / or the latent heat storage material precursor is provided in liquid form by heating the latent heat storage material and / or the latent heat storage material precursor before the latent heat storage material and / or the latent heat storage material precursor is combined with the kit components.

24. The method for preparing a phase change material according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that: After the kit components are combined with the latent heat storage material or latent heat storage material precursor, the mixture is stirred and / or heated.

25. The method for preparing a phase change material according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that: Integer pieces of compressed additive mass and / or fused cast mass are combined with latent heat storage material or latent heat storage material precursor.

26. The method for preparing a phase change material according to any one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that: The container in which the kit components are combined with one or more latent heat storage materials or liquid latent heat storage material precursors is a thermal energy storage device, wherein the thermal energy storage device includes one or more containers, and the container can selectively contain any one or more of the following: one or more heat exchangers; one or more heat sources; One or more cooling sources; and / or One or more ports through which material may be selectively added to or removed from the device.

27. The method for preparing a phase change material according to any one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that: The container in which the set of material components is combined with one or more latent heat storage materials or liquid latent heat storage material precursors is a thermal energy storage device, and the set of material components is located in the thermal energy storage device so that when the latent heat storage material or the latent heat storage material precursor is added, the latent heat storage material or the latent heat storage material precursor impacts the set of material components.

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