초록 ▼

A bulk thermal energy storage device is provided comprising a bulk storage tank containing a latent energy storage material, preferably a phase change material which is subject to repeated melting and freezing during which latent thermal energy is absorbed or released by the phase change material. A

A bulk thermal energy storage device is provided comprising a bulk storage tank containing a latent energy storage material, preferably a phase change material which is subject to repeated melting and freezing during which latent thermal energy is absorbed or released by the phase change material. A plurality of heat exchange devices are generally vertically positioned within the phase change material and at a predetermined distance from each other and from the walls of the storage tank for flow of a heat exchange fluid serially through said passageways in the heat exchange devices. At least one screen is positioned in the storage tank in a generally horizontal position and extending between the walls of the tank and the heat exchange devices for supporting the phase change material when in a frozen condition during the melting cycle of the phase change material to prevent settling of the phase change material to the bottom of the tank. The predetermined positioning of the heat exchange devices and the screen in the storage tank provide for an optimum heat exchange between the heat exchange devices and the phase change material in the tank and prevent the loss of heat exchange efficiency due to a settling-out of frozen particles of the phase change material to the bottom of the tank.

대표청구항 ▼

A storage device comprising a container having a bottom wall, a top wall, and at least one side wall, a hydrated phase change material contained in said container and capable of absorbing latent heat energy during the melting cycle of the material and which is capable of releasing latent heat energy

A storage device comprising a container having a bottom wall, a top wall, and at least one side wall, a hydrated phase change material contained in said container and capable of absorbing latent heat energy during the melting cycle of the material and which is capable of releasing latent heat energy during the freezing cycle of the material, a plurality of generally planar heat transfer devices positioned in said container in a substantially vertical orientation, said heat transfer devices being connected to each other in series and spaced in a predetermined variable relationship with respect to each other and the side walls of the container, for flow of a heat exchange fluid through said heat transfer devices, and a screen positioned in a substantially horizontal position in said container, said screen being arranged in a spaced position above the bottom of the container.