Heat Storage Material Composition for Stable 22.5°C Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat storage materials are inadequate for stably maintaining temperatures around 22.5°C, particularly for temperature control target articles like blood platelet preparations, and fail to maintain comfortable living space temperatures due to variations in melting and solidification behaviors.

Innovation Solution

A heat storage material composition comprising a higher hydrocarbon with specific hydrocarbons and lauryl alcohol, where the hydrocarbon includes multiple types of hydrocarbons with 20-35 carbon atoms, a weight ratio of 50% or more, and a melting peak temperature between 35°C and 70°C, with a minimal difference between melting and solidification temperatures and a low degree of solidification point depression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional heat storage materials are used, then temperature control is achieved, but stable temperature maintenance around 22.5°C is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidtemperature control reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the heat storage material by using a specific mixture of higher alcohols (10-20 carbon atoms) and higher alkanes (20-35 carbon atoms) in controlled weight ratios. This composition adjustment enables the material to maintain a stable melting point around 22.5°C with minimal supercooling, directly resolving the temperature stability issue while improving reliability for blood platelet storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite heat storage material by combining higher alcohols and higher alkanes in specific proportions (alcohol: 70-95 wt%, alkane: 5-30 wt%). This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both components to achieve reliable and stable temperature maintenance at 22.5°C, overcoming the limitations of single-component materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If higher alcohol content is increased to maintain temperature, then melting temperature control improves, but supercooling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelting temperature controlVSAvoidsolidification behavior stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the alcohol-to-alkane ratio parameter to maintain melting temperature control while minimizing supercooling. By limiting higher alcohol content to 70-95 wt% and adding 5-30 wt% higher alkane, the composition achieves reliable solidification behavior with reduced supercooling compared to conventional high-alcohol formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If conventional heat storage materials are used, then temperature control is achieved, but comfortable living space temperature maintenance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidapplication versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a heat storage material with universal applicability by optimizing its composition to maintain comfortable temperatures (20-25°C) for both medical applications (blood platelet storage at 22.5°C) and living space temperature control. The material's stable melting point and minimal supercooling make it adaptable to multiple uses, significantly enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively maintains temperatures within the range of 21.5°C to 23.5°C with minimal variations, ensuring stable storage and transport of temperature-sensitive articles and comfortable living space temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing the latent heat of the heat storage material to keep the temperature control target article cool or warm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 2

the alcohol changes phases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

placing, into a thermally insulative container, a heat storage material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3816260B1Heat storage material composition and use thereof
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 KANEKA CORP
  • EP3816260B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816260B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816260B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of an embodiment of the present invention lies in providing (i) a novel heat storage material composition which (a) makes it possible to stably maintain a temperature of a temperature control target article at around 22.5°C, and/or (b) makes it possible to maintain a comfortable temperature in a living space, and (ii) techniques for using the novel heat storage material composition. This object is attained by a heat storage material composition including a particular higher hydrocarbon and lauryl alcohol.