Salt Hydrate Thermal Energy Storage for Vehicular Space Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermal energy storage systems face challenges in achieving high energy densities and efficient heat management across various temperature ranges, particularly in vehicular applications where space and weight constraints are significant.

Innovation Solution

The development of new salt hydrate materials represented by the formula MXq·nH2O, where M is a cation from Groups 1-14 and X is a halide from Group 17, which undergo reversible endothermic dehydration and exothermic hydration reactions to store and release heat effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional thermal energy storage materials are used, then the system can store heat, but the volumetric and gravimetric energy densities are insufficient for vehicular applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolumetric and gravimetric energy densitiesVSAvoidspace constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of TES materials by selecting salt hydrates with specific cations (Groups 1-14) and halides (Group 17) in controlled ratios, achieving higher energy densities while maintaining reversible phase change properties suitable for vehicular thermal management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite salt hydrate materials combining different cations and halides to achieve synergistic effects, where the composite structure provides both high energy density and appropriate phase change temperatures for various vehicular thermal management applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If TES material capacity is increased to meet space constraints, then volumetric energy density improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolumetric energy densityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits phase transition phenomena of salt hydrates, which undergo reversible solid-liquid phase changes at specific temperatures, enabling high energy density storage without complex mechanical systems or control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The salt hydrate materials autonomously absorb and release heat through their inherent phase change properties, eliminating the need for active pumping, valves, or complex control systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple TES materials are used to cover different temperature ranges, then temperature adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature range coverageVSAvoidnumber of materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops salt hydrate compositions that can serve multiple temperature ranges through compositional adjustments, where the same base material system can be tuned to provide thermal energy storage across different operating temperatures by varying cation/halide selection and ratios

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

These salt hydrate materials demonstrate high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, enabling efficient thermal energy storage and management across a wide range of temperatures, thereby addressing the limitations of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

salt hydrates configured to reversibly store heat in the thermal energy storage system (TES) via an endothermic dehydration reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEndothermic dehydration reaction: Endothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

release heat in in the thermal energy storage system (TES) via an exothermic hydration reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic hydration reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

salt hydrates configured to reversibly store heat... via an endothermic dehydration reaction and to release heat... via an exothermic hydration reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20250066658A1Salt hydrate compositions for thermal energy storage systems

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 THE RGT UNIV OF MICHIGAN

AI summary

Compositions suitable for reversibly storing heat in thermal energy systems (TES) include a salt hydrate represented by the formula: MXq·nH2O. M is a cation selected from Groups 1 to 14 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, X is a halide of Group 17, q ranges from 1 to 4, and n ranges from 1 to 12. The cation (M) may have an electronegativity of ≤ about 1.8 and a molar mass ≤ about 28 g/mol. The anion (X) may have an electronegativity of ≥about 2.9 to ≤ about 3.2. A distance between a cation (M) and coordinating water molecules (H2O) is ≤ about 2.1 Å. Thermal energy systems (TES) incorporating such compositions are also provided that are configured to reversibly store heat in the thermal energy system (TES) via an endothermic dehydration reaction and to release heat in in the thermal energy system (TES) via an exothermic hydration reaction.