초록 ▼

A phase separation of a salt hydrate as a heat accumulating medium is prevented, thereby maintaining a heat accumulating density of a heat accumulator for a long period of time. A heat accumulating pipe contains Ba(OH).sub.2 .cndot.8H.sub.2 O as a heat accumulating medium which is not subjected to s

A phase separation of a salt hydrate as a heat accumulating medium is prevented, thereby maintaining a heat accumulating density of a heat accumulator for a long period of time. A heat accumulating pipe contains Ba(OH).sub.2 .cndot.8H.sub.2 O as a heat accumulating medium which is not subjected to supercooling and a sphere movable in the heat accumulating pipe. A heat insulating vessel having a cooling water inlet pipe and a cooling water outlet pipe is filled with the heat accumulating pipes. By vibrating a heat accumulator having an agitating function which includes the heat accumulating pipes and the heat insulating vessel, the sphere moves in the heat accumulating pipe to agitate the heat accumulating medium, so that a distribution of water becomes uniform and a phase separation is prevented.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [12.] A method of exchanging heat with a coolant, said method comprising steps of:passing said coolant over a container containing a heat accumulating medium capable of transferring latent heat to said coolant when said heat accumulating medium makes a reversible phase change

[ What is claimed is:] [12.] A method of exchanging heat with a coolant, said method comprising steps of:passing said coolant over a container containing a heat accumulating medium capable of transferring latent heat to said coolant when said heat accumulating medium makes a reversible phase change from a liquid phase to a solid phase and capable of receiving latent heat from said coolant when said heat accumulating medium makes a reversible phase change from said solid phase to said liquid phase, said heat accumulating medium, in a non-agitated state, forming refractory crystals at a temperature equal to or larger than a melting point of said heat accumulating medium due to an uneven distribution of water formed when said heat accumulating medium melts;transferring heat from said heat accumulating medium to said coolant when said coolant is at a temperature lower than that of said heat accumulating medium;transferring heat from said coolant to said heat accumulating medium when said coolant is at a temperature sufficient to cause said heat accumulating medium to make said phase change from said solid phase to said liquid phase; andduring said step of transferring heat from said heat accumulating medium to said coolant, agitating substantially all of said heat accumulating medium using only a single agitating member movable in said container and having a specific size sufficient to evenly distribute said water and thereby prevent formation of said refractory crystals in said heat accumulating medium.