Composite Phase-Change Materials for Leak-Resistant Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latent heat storage technologies using solid-liquid phase-change materials (PCMs) face issues of leakage and significant energy density loss due to the need for encapsulation, which is not efficiently addressed by polymeric materials like polyurethane.
Innovation Solution
A composite phase-change material is developed using a non-polymeric solid-solid PCM to enclose a solid-liquid PCM, ensuring no leakage and maintaining high energy density by utilizing both PCMs' latent heat without additional stabilizing compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solid-liquid PCMs are used for latent heat storage, then high latent heat is achieved, but leakage occurs at temperatures above melting point requiring encapsulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds solid-liquid PCM particles within a solid-solid PCM matrix, creating a nested structure where the inner material (solid-liquid PCM) is contained within the outer material (solid-solid PCM). This nesting approach prevents leakage of the solid-liquid PCM while maintaining its high latent heat storage capacity, as the solid-solid PCM provides structural stability above the melting point of the solid-liquid PCM.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining two different PCM types (solid-liquid and solid-solid) to achieve properties that neither material alone can provide. The solid-liquid PCM contributes high latent heat storage, while the solid-solid PCM provides structural integrity and leakage prevention, resulting in a composite that maintains both energy storage capacity and reliability.
2Reliability
If encapsulation is used to prevent leakage of solid-liquid PCMs, then leakage is prevented, but energy density is significantly reduced due to volume occupied by encapsulating material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of the solid-solid PCM matrix to accommodate solid-liquid PCM particles. The porous structure allows for high loading of the energy-storing solid-liquid PCM while the solid-solid PCM provides minimal structural support, maximizing the ratio of active PCM material to supporting material and thereby maintaining high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
By nesting solid-liquid PCM particles within the solid-solid PCM matrix, the patent minimizes the volume of supporting material required. The solid-liquid PCM particles are distributed throughout the solid-solid PCM structure, allowing the supporting material to provide containment with minimal volume, thus preserving high energy density.
3Reliability
If polymeric materials like polyurethane are used to enclose solid-liquid PCMs, then leakage is prevented, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and complex polymeric encapsulation materials with a simpler solid-solid PCM matrix. The solid-solid PCM serves as both the structural support and an active thermal storage medium, eliminating the need for separate polymeric encapsulation layers and reducing manufacturing complexity and material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid-solid PCM matrix performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support to prevent leakage, acts as an active thermal storage medium itself, and serves as a matrix to accommodate the solid-liquid PCM particles. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate polymeric encapsulation materials and simplifies the overall system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite PCM achieves high storage capacity and stability by encapsulating the solid-liquid PCM within a non-polymeric solid-solid PCM, maintaining the shape and preventing leakage while maximizing latent heat utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a non-polymeric solid-solid phase-change material encloses the solid-liquid phase-change material
Implementation Method 2
PCMs are capable of absorbing or releasing great amounts of energy in the form of latent heat during phase transitions at nearly constant temperature
Implementation Method 3
latent heat storage technologies based on Phase-Change Materials (PCMs)
Data Source
AI summary
A composite phase-change material (PCM) has a non-polymeric solid-solid PCM and a solid-liquid PCM. The solid-liquid PCM occupies an internal volume of the solid-solid PCM. The composite material takes full advantage of the latent heat of both PCMs, while avoiding seepage of the inner solid-liquid PCM. A method is for the preparation of the composite PCM. A thermal energy storage device includes the composite PCM.