Hexagonal Latent Heat Storage with Conductive Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latent heat storage devices face challenges with thermal performance due to poor heat transfer efficiency in hexagonal packed configurations of cylindrical encapsulation tubes, leading to uneven thermal energy distribution and reduced capacity, especially when using materials like CPVC and paraffin-based PCMs.
Innovation Solution
The development of high-density latent heat storage devices featuring cylindrical encapsulation tubes arranged in a hexagonal-packed pattern made of conductive materials like copper or thermally-enhanced polymers, which improve thermal conductivity and enhance heat transfer efficiency by optimizing the resistance ratios and using phase change materials like tetradecane for effective thermal energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cylindrical encapsulation tubes are arranged in a hexagonal-packed configuration to increase storage density, then the thermal storage capacity increases, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates due to uneven thermal energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary substance that flows through the containment tank and facilitates thermal energy transfer between the encapsulation tubes. This mediator overcomes the poor heat transfer efficiency inherent in the hexagonal-packed configuration by actively circulating thermal energy throughout the system, ensuring uniform heat distribution while maintaining the high-density storage arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes various parameters including the dimensions of encapsulation tubes, the composition and flow rate of heat transfer fluid, and the thermal properties of phase change materials. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves both high thermal storage capacity and improved heat transfer efficiency, resolving the contradiction between storage density and thermal performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials like CPVC and paraffin-based PCMs are used in hexagonal packed configurations, then the device structure is simple and cost-effective, but the thermal conductivity is insufficient leading to reduced heat transfer rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining phase change materials with high thermal conductivity additives or by using encapsulation tube materials with enhanced thermal properties. This composite approach maintains the simplicity of the overall device structure while significantly improving the thermal conductivity, thereby increasing heat transfer rates without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Quantity of substance
If the packing density of encapsulation tubes is increased to maximize space utilization, then the thermal storage density increases, but the heat transfer fluid flow paths are restricted causing uneven thermal energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the containment tank into multiple zones or compartments, each with optimized tube arrangements and dedicated heat transfer fluid flow paths. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high packing density while ensuring that each segment receives adequate thermal energy distribution, preventing the unevenness that would result from overly dense uniform packing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multi-dimensional heat transfer pathways by incorporating heat transfer fluid flow in multiple directions and utilizing the vertical dimension for fluid circulation. This dimensional approach ensures that thermal energy is distributed uniformly throughout the densely packed tubes, overcoming the limitation of restricted flow paths in high-density configurations.
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
This design significantly increases thermal capacity by up to 7 times compared to conventional chilled water tanks, achieving efficient thermal energy storage and recovery with improved heat transfer rates and reduced energy losses, making it suitable for retrofitting existing buildings and small to medium-sized HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
Latent energy storage is characterized by a large enthalpy change at a constant (or with only a small change in) temperature. The result is that latent (phase change) systems can store thermal energy at a density an order of magnitude greater than that of a sensible (temperature change) system.
Implementation Method 2
Such high density thermal stores can be developed using materials that store thermal energy in latent form, during a change in phase—for instance, from liquid to solid or gas to liquid—instead of in sensible form.
Implementation Method 3
cylindrical encapsulation tubes which are: i) arrayed in a hexagonal-packed pattern; ii) contain a phase change material; and iii) are made of a sufficiently conductive material (for example, copper, aluminum, thermally-enhanced polymers, etc.).
Data Source
AI summary
Latent heat storage devices are disclosed, such as latent heat storage devices comprising a phase change material encapsulated in sufficiently conductive tubes, wherein the tubes are arrayed in a hexagonal-packed pattern. The devices herein can be used, for example, in residential and/or commercial HVAC systems.