Foam composition

Abstract

A foam composition comprising, A) a cellulose foam matrix, and B) particles of encapsulated organic phase change material which are distributed within the cellulose foam matrix. The invention also relates to a method for making the foam composition and also theft use in thermal storage applications, such as air-conditioning units.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A foam composition comprising
 A) a cellulose foam matrix, and   B) particles of encapsulated organic phase change material distributed within the cellulose foam matrix.   
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the cellulose foam matrix has an open cell structure. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11  having a volumetric enthalpy of at least 20 kJ/liter. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , comprising at least 40% by weight, based on total weight of the foam composition, of the particles (B). 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 11 , further comprising a binder located on an exterior surface of the particles (B). 
     
     
         16 . A process for preparing a foam composition comprising
 A) a cellulose foam matrix, and   B) particles of encapsulated organic phase change material distributed within the cellulose foam matrix, the process comprising:   i) contacting a dispersion of the particles (B) with the cellulose foam matrix (A) to obtain a product; and   ii) drying the product to obtain the foam composition.   
     
     
         17 . A system for thermal regulation comprising the foam composition of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         18 . An air conditioning system comprising the foam composition of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         19 . A shaped article comprising the foam composition of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . An air conditioning system comprising
 (i) a means for flowing air to and from a volume of air, wherein a temperature of the volume of air is regulated; and   (ii) a temperature regulation device comprising the foam composition of  claim 11 .   
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 19 , wherein the article is adapted for use in an air conditioning system. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 11 , comprising at least 75% by weight, based on total weight of the composition, of the particles (B). 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 15 , comprising 2 to 5% by weight, based on the dry weight of the particles (B), of the binder. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23  wherein the binder is polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the particles comprise 85 to 95% by weight, based on the weight of the particles, of a core material. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 11 , having a thickness of 2 to 15 mm. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 11 , having a density of 0.04 to 0.25 kg/liter. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the particles (B) comprise at least one alkane organic phase change material selected from the group consisting of n-octacosane, n-docosane, n-eicosane, n-octadecane, n-heptadecane, n-hexadecane, n-pentadecane and n-tetradecane. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the particles (B) comprise at least one ester organic phase change material selected from the group consisting of methyl behenate, methyl arachidate, methyl stearate, methyl palmitate, methyl myristate and methyl laurate. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the particles (B) comprise at least one alcohol organic phase change material selected from the group consisting of n-decanol, n-dodecanol, n-tetradecanol, n-hexadecanol, and n-octadecanol.