Heat transfer system utilizing thermal energy storage materials

Abstract

An enhanced heat transfer between stored thermal energy and a heat recipient via a capillary pumped loop. The devices, systems and methods employ a thermal energy storage material having a solid to liquid phase transition at a temperature and a structure having a plurality of capillaries.

1 . A device including
 i) one or more thermal energy storage material compartments:   ii) a thermal energy storage material encapsulated in one or more thermal energy storage material compartments, wherein the thermal energy storage material has having a solid to liquid phase transition at a temperature;   iii) one or more working fluid compartments in thermal contact with the thermal energy storage material; and   iv) and a capillary structure having a plurality of capillaries in the working fluid compartment;   wherein the device is a heat storage device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy storage material has a solid to liquid phase transition at a temperature greater than about 50° C. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal energy storage material has a solid to liquid phase transition at a temperature from about 90° C. to about 300° C. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the thermal energy storage material is encapsulated in a plurality of capsules. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , comprising:
 i) one or more containers each with at least one inlet and one outlet for a working fluid, and at least one inlet and at least one outlet for a second fluid;   ii) one or more capsules containing the thermal energy storage material in the container having at least a first outer surface, wherein the thermal energy storage material is a phase change material;   iii) a first flow path for the flow of the working fluid through the container wherein the flow path is at least partially defined by the first outer surface of the capsule;   iv) a capillary structure having a plurality of capillaries capable of pumping a working fluid through the first flow path, wherein the capillary structure partially fills the first flow path and is at least partially in contact with the first outer surface of the capsule, so that when contacted with a working fluid on one end, the working fluid is drawn into the capillary, and a second portion of the first flow path that is free of a capillary;   v) a second flow path for the flow of a second fluid through the container;   wherein the first flow path is in a working fluid compartment, the second flow path is in a heat transfer fluid compartment, and the phase change material is in a phase change material compartment;   the phase change material is in thermal communication with the working fluid compartment and the heat transfer fluid compartment; and   wherein the device is a heat storage device.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of capillaries includes capillaries having a pore diameter of less than about 200 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the capsule includes a second outer surface wherein the second outer surface at least partially defines the second flow path. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the container is at least partially insulated. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A system for storing and transferring heat including:
 a. the heat storage device of  claim 2 ;   b. a condenser having at least a first inlet and at least a first outlet and a first flow path for a working fluid;
 wherein the heat storage device is in fluid connection with the condenser and the system comprises a capillary pumped loop including the first flow path of the condenser and the first flow path of the heat storage device. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system includes the working fluid and the working fluid has a combined vapor pressure of all of its components equal to 1 atmosphere at a temperature from about 0° C. to about 250° C. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the working fluid includes one or more alcohols, one or more ketones, one or more hydrocarbons, a fluorocarbon, a hydrofluorocarbon, water, ammonia, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the working fluid includes a solution of ammonia and water. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the system includes a working fluid valve to control the flow of the working fluid from the heat storage device to the condenser. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system includes a vapor tube connecting the outlet of the heat storage device and the inlet of the condenser; a liquid tube connecting the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the heat storage device; and a working fluid at least partially filling the condenser. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system includes a means of heating the phase change material in the heat storage device, so that when the heat storage device is at a temperature sufficient to cause the combined vapor pressure of all components of the working fluid to exceed 1 atmosphere and the valve is opened to allow flow of the working fluid, the working fluid is
 a) pumped by the capillary structure;   b) at least partially vaporized; and   c) at least partially transported to the condenser; and   d) at least partially condenses in the condenser; so that heat is removed from the heat storage device.   
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system is free of a pump for pumping the working fluid other than the capillary pump. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the condenser includes a second flow path, a second inlet and a second outlet for transporting a heat transfer fluid through the condenser so that the condenser can transfer heat from the working fluid to the heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system includes a working fluid, and the ratio of the volume of the working fluid to the volume of the phase change material is less than about 20:1. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second fluid is an exhaust gas, and the system includes a valve for controlling the flow of the exhaust gas through the second flow path of the heat storage device. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system has an average power density of at least about 1 kW per liter of the insulated (internal) volume of the device averaged over the first 30 seconds of operation, which begins when a valve is opened allowing for flow of the working fluid through the first flow path of the heat storage device, wherein at least 50% by volume of the phase change material is in a liquid state at the time the valve is opened. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled)