Ester-Based Phase Change Materials for Low Vapor Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phase change materials (PCMs) face challenges with evaporation and leakage due to high vapor pressure, which affects their performance and containment, especially when used in applications requiring temperature regulation in building insulation, refrigeration, and sensitive materials.
Innovation Solution
A PCM composition comprising an ester of a linear alcohol with at least 4 carbon atoms and a linear carboxylic acid with at least 4 carbon atoms, with a total carbon atom range of 13 to 31, is developed to reduce evaporation rates and improve containment by optimizing the position of the ester bond, resulting in lower vapor pressure and enhanced thermal energy storage properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a PCM with fewer carbon atoms is used, then the melting point is lower, but the evaporation rate increases and containment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ester by specifying minimum carbon atom counts (at least 4 carbon atoms in the linear alcohol and at least 4 carbon atoms in the linear carboxylic acid), which simultaneously adjusts both the melting point and evaporation rate to achieve desired performance characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ester molecule combining specific linear alcohol and linear carboxylic acid components with defined carbon chain lengths, where the composite structure achieves both appropriate melting point and reduced evaporation rate that cannot be obtained with simpler molecules
2Temperature
If the ester bond is positioned towards an end of the ester, then the melting point increases, but the evaporation rate also increases reducing containment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies the local structural quality of the ester by defining the minimum carbon chain lengths of both the alcohol and carboxylic acid components, which controls the position of the ester bond within the molecule and thereby simultaneously influences melting point and containment properties
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 PCM composition effectively regulates temperature over time with reduced evaporation, improved containment, and enhanced thermal energy storage, making it suitable for various applications including building insulation, refrigeration, and sensitive material protection.
Implementation Method 1
Phase change materials (PCMs) are a class of material which may be used as latent heat storage media, heat transfer media and/or temperature regulating media. PCMs operate is based on the enthalpy of transformation accompanying transition from the solid to the liquid phase or vice versa
Implementation Method 2
The way in which PCMs operate is based on the enthalpy of transformation accompanying transition from the solid to the liquid phase or vice versa, which results in energy being absorbed from or released to their surroundings
Implementation Method 3
a PCM with a lower vapour pressure will have a lower tendency to evaporate. Evaporation of a PCM may be undesirable due to the creation of unwanted odour from the PCM vapour or the potential for leakage of the PCM from its container
Implementation Method 4
the vapour pressure or volatility of a PCM may be a significant factor in the performance of the PCM
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a phase change material composition comprising an ester of a linear alcohol which has at least 4 carbon atoms and a linear carboxylic acid which has at least 4 carbon atoms, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the ester is in the range from 13 to 31. The invention also provides products including the phase change material composition and methods of regulating temperature.