Active crystallisation control in phase change material thermal storage systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phase change materials (PCMs) face issues with inconsistent nucleation temperatures due to sub-cooling, where nucleation may not occur or occur spontaneously at varying temperatures and times, and nucleation additives can lose their effectiveness through thermal deactivation.
Innovation Solution
A controlled thermal region within the PCM containment is created using thermoelectric devices, compression vapor cycles, or heat pipes to generate a cold shock or maintain a cold spot, ensuring consistent and predictable nucleation, and keeping nucleating agents functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a controlled thermal region is created using thermoelectric devices, compression vapor cycles, or heat pipes to generate a cold shock, then nucleation consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the thermal management function into separate components: thermoelectric devices for active cooling, heat pipes for passive heat transfer, and compression vapor cycles for temperature control. Each component handles a specific aspect of nucleation control, allowing independent optimization and maintenance while achieving consistent nucleation outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate thermal management devices (thermoelectric devices, heat pipes, compression vapor cycles) that mediate between the external environment and the PCM. These intermediaries create the controlled thermal regions and cold shocks needed for consistent nucleation without requiring direct complex control of the entire PCM volume.
2Quantity of substance
If a controlled thermal region is created to ensure consistent nucleation, then energy storage capacity is enhanced, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic activation of thermoelectric devices and compression vapor cycles to create cold shocks only when needed for nucleation initiation. Rather than continuous operation, these devices activate periodically to provide the necessary temperature differential, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining enhanced energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages phase transitions (melting and crystallisation) of the PCM as the primary energy storage mechanism. The controlled thermal region facilitates efficient phase change by ensuring consistent nucleation, which maximizes the energy storage capacity during crystallisation while minimizing the energy required for active thermal management.
3Productivity
If multiple nucleation methods are used within a single system, then crystallisation rate is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple nucleation methods (thermoelectric device-induced cold shock, heat pipe-mediated thermal control, and compression vapor cycle cooling) into a single integrated system. These methods work synergistically to initiate and accelerate crystallisation from multiple locations simultaneously, increasing the overall crystallisation rate while sharing common structural infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a composite approach by combining different thermal management technologies (thermoelectric devices, heat pipes, compression vapor cycles) within the same PCM containment. This composite strategy allows the system to leverage the strengths of each method for nucleation initiation while managing complexity through integrated design.
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 approach ensures consistent nucleation, enhances energy storage capacity, and reduces the need for frequent operation of cooling systems, thereby improving the efficiency and longevity of PCM systems.
Implementation Method 1
A controlled thermal region within the PCM containment is created using thermoelectric devices
Implementation Method 2
compression vapor cycles, or heat pipes to generate a cold shock
Implementation Method 3
thermoelectric devices, compression vapor cycles, or heat pipes to generate a cold shock
Implementation Method 4
A controlled thermal region within the PCM containment is created using thermoelectric devices, compression vapor cycles, or heat pipes to generate a cold shock or maintain a cold spot, ensuring consistent and predictable nucleation
Implementation Method 5
Phase change materials (PCMs) store and release thermal energy by undergoing melt/crystallisation cycles
Implementation Method 6
Phase change materials (PCMs) store and release thermal energy by undergoing melt/crystallisation cycles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to phase-change materials (PCM) which store and release thermal energy by undergoing melt/crystallisation cycles. More particularly, there is described a thermal storage system where sub-cooled phase change material (PCM) is nucleated via a controlled thermal region(s).