A system and method for cooling a space utilizing thermal energy storage

Abstract

A system and method of using the system is provided for cooling a building space through the use of thermal storage and release of energy by charging and discharging a phase change material comprising low temperature wax.

1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A refrigerant based thermal energy storage and cooling system, comprising:
 a refrigeration cycle comprising an air conditioner condensing unit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator through which refrigerant runs;   a thermal energy storage (“TES”) unit in thermal communication with a refrigerant, wherein the TES unit comprises a phase change material (“PCM”) which stores and releases thermal energy, and a refrigerant coil through which a refrigerant runs, wherein the PCM comprises a low temperature wax;   a plurality of valves for diverting the system between a charging cycle and a discharging cycle;   an insulating apparatus which insulates the PCM and refrigerant coil of the TES unit to avoid heat dispersion;   a refrigerant for transferring thermal energy to and from the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and the PCM of the TES unit through a refrigerant management system;   a refrigerant management system for delivering a refrigerant through the system comprising a plurality of valves and tubes;   a ventilation system comprising an air inlet and an air outlet disposed in thermal communication with the PCM of the TES unit, and a propeller device; and   a thermal control system for controlling the thermodynamics of the system,
 wherein the refrigeration cycle can operate alternative to the charging cycle, 
 wherein the refrigeration cycle can operate alternative to the discharging cycle, 
 wherein the refrigeration cycle can operate simultaneously when the system is in charging cycle, and 
 wherein the refrigeration cycle can also operate simultaneously when the system is in discharging cycle. 
   
     
     
         29 . The system as in claim  1 , further comprising a plurality of external TES units each comprising a PCM, a refrigerant coil and an external insulating apparatus and wherein the plurality of valves are configured to provide at least one of the PCMs of the external TES units and the PCM of the TES unit with at least one of charging cycle, discharging cycle, simultaneous discharging cycle and refrigeration cycle, and simultaneous charging cycle and refrigeration cycle. 
     
     
         30 . The system as in claim  1  whereby the PCM is in the discharging cycle while simultaneously the refrigeration cycle is operated. 
     
     
         31 . The system as in claim  1  whereby the PCM is in the charging cycle simultaneously with the refrigeration cycle. 
     
     
         32 . The system as in claim  1  further comprising a plurality of liquid pumps. 
     
     
         33 . The system as in claim  1  wherein the refrigeration coil is made from a thermally conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloys, gold, silver, carbon alloys, aluminum, and alloys thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The system as in claim  1  wherein the PCM of the TES unit further comprises at least one from the group consisting of graphite, and graphite and aluminum oxide. 
     
     
         35 . A phase change material composite for use in thermal energy storage comprising:
 a low temperature wax; and   a porous matrix material which provides structure to a composite configuration,   wherein the porous matrix material is at least one selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, aluminum oxide, graphite powder, carbon fibers, graphite/carbon nano-powders/nano-fibers, copper, aluminum powder and conductive foam.   
     
     
         36 . A method of cooling an environment using the system as in claim  1 , comprising the steps of:
 providing a PCM further comprising at least one material from the group consisting of graphite and aluminum oxide, in thermal communication with a charging coil through which the refrigerant passes in the refrigerant management system;   activating a charging cycle whereby the PCM is charged with the cooled refrigerant;   sensing the charged state of the PCM using a sensor;   ceasing circulation of the refrigerant through the charging cycle when the PCM is determined to be charged;   activating a discharging cycle whereby the environment is cooled by passing air through the air inlet of the ventilation system, past the PCM, and out of the air outlet;   establishing a threshold level for activating at least one of the refrigeration cycle and the charging cycle;   monitoring at least one from the group consisting of the temperature of the air exiting the air outlet, the phase state of the PCM, and the temperature of the PCM; and   upon reaching a threshold level, delivering the refrigerant through at least one of the refrigeration cycle and the charging cycle, wherein the refrigeration cycle can operate simultaneously with one selected from the group consisting of the charging cycle and the discharging cycle.