Crosslinked PCM Composition for Thermal Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phase change materials (PCMs) face limitations due to large volume changes, slow transitions, and flow issues in liquid state, which hinder their application in thermal energy technologies.

Innovation Solution

A stable PCM composition is developed by combining an organic PCM and an inorganic PCM with a crosslinker, allowing for distinct or similar phase transition temperature ranges, and forming crosslinked networks to control crystallization and minimize volume changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If phase change materials are used for thermal energy storage, then latent heat storage capability is improved, but volume changes during phase transition occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatent heat storage capabilityVSAvoidvolume change during phase transition

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining organic PCM and inorganic PCM within a porous support structure. The organic PCM provides high latent heat storage capability while the inorganic PCM and porous structure constrain volume expansion during phase transition, thus resolving the contradiction between energy storage capability and volume stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous materials as the support structure for the PCMs. The porous structure allows the PCM to undergo phase transition while physically constraining volume expansion, enabling latent heat storage without significant volume change. The porous structure absorbs the volume change during melting and solidification cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If phase change materials are used for thermal energy storage, then latent heat storage capability is improved, but transition speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatent heat storage capabilityVSAvoidphase transition speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The porous support structure provides a large surface area and numerous nucleation sites within its pores. This increases the surface-to-volume ratio of the PCM, enabling faster heat transfer and quicker phase transition. The porous structure facilitates rapid melting and solidification while maintaining high latent heat storage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The PCM is segmented into small portions distributed within the pores of the support structure. This segmentation increases the total surface area contact with heat transfer media and reduces the distance for heat diffusion, thereby accelerating phase transition speed while preserving overall energy storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If phase change materials are used for thermal energy storage, then latent heat storage capability is improved, but flow control in liquid state becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatent heat storage capabilityVSAvoidflow control in liquid state

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The porous support structure physically confines the liquid PCM, preventing uncontrolled flow while allowing thermal energy transfer. The capillary forces within the porous structure maintain the PCM in place during liquid state, enabling easy operation and flow control without sacrificing latent heat storage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The porous support structure acts as a flexible matrix that contains the liquid PCM. This structure provides mechanical support and flow control while allowing the PCM to maintain contact with heat transfer surfaces, thus enabling both high energy storage and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 composition achieves controlled crystallization with minimal volume change, enhanced thermal properties, and improved latent heat storage efficiency, overcoming the limitations of conventional PCMs.

Implementation Method 1

latent heat includes thermal energy released or absorbed during a change of state of a material without a substantial change in the temperature of the material. The change of state can include a phase change such as a solid-liquid, solid-gas, liquid-gas, or solid-solid phase change

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

Due to their latent heat storage properties, phase change materials (PCMs) have found application in a wide array of thermal energy technologies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Data Source

PatentUS20230130589A1Compositions containing phase change materials and systems including the same

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 PHASE CHANGE ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

In one aspect, compositions are described herein which include a first phase change material (PCM) component comprising an organic PCM, a second PCM component comprising an inorganic PCM, and a crosslinker linking the first PCM component to the second PCM component. In another aspect, a thermal energy storage system is described herein which comprises a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a composition described herein disposed within the container. The heat exchanger and the composition of such thermal energy storage systems are in thermal contact with one another.