A thermal storage system includes a container, a thermal exchange device, a first thermal storage material, and a second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is disposed in the container. The first thermal storage material is disposed in the container and is spaced apart from the thermal exchange device. The second thermal storage material is also disposed in the container in contact with the thermal exchange device. The first and second thermal storage materials are immiscible. The second thermal storage material is less reactive with the construction material of the thermal exchange device as compared to the first thermal storage material. Optionally, a second thermal exchange device can be submerged in the second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is configured to supply heat to the second thermal storage material and the second thermal exchange device facilitates extraction of heat from the second thermal storage material.

The heat sink with opposed elements providing a temperature gradient has first and second thermally conductive elements disposed diametrically opposite each other on opposite sides of a chamber filled with a thermally conductive phase change material (PCM). The first and second thermally conductive elements ascend vertically from a thermoconductive base of the PCM chamber, which is adapted for mounting on the case of a heat source, such as an electronic component that generates heat or has heat applied thereto from its surroundings during operation. The first thermally conductive element is maintained hotter than the second thermally conductive element to provide a temperature gradient across the PCM chamber. The PCM melts as heat is absorbed. Convection currents are induced in the melting PCM that enhance heat absorption from the heat source while maintaining the heat sink at a relatively low temperature by dissipation of heat through the second thermally conductive element.

A temperature modulating blanket utilizing a reflective surface to block radiation away from a phase change material during daylight and in thermal conductivity with the material to allow heat conduction out of the material at night at a faster rate than it is absorbed during the daylight. The reflective surface is uniquely tailored to both serve a reflective function during daylight while also being sufficiently thermally conductive to facilitate the heat conduction as indicated during night. Additionally, the facilities may be uniquely configured to promote an attic circulation that further facilitates freezing and recharge of the phase change material of the blanket during night hours.

A thermal battery includes a heat sink material that remains solid across an operating temperature range (i.e., for all operating modes) of the battery, and a heat conductive material in direct heat transfer relationship with the solid heat sink material. The heat conductive material has a melting point below that of the heat sink material so that in use the heat conductive material is a fluid, for example molten when the heat conductive material is a metal, in the operating temperature range of the battery.

The invention proposes a method and a device (110) for thermal-electrochemical energy storage and energy provision. The device (110) comprises: at least one thermal energy store (118), wherein the thermal energy store (118) comprises at least one heat transport medium (121) and at least one storage medium (119) selected from the group consisting of: an electromagnetic storage medium, a thermal storage medium; at least one heating device (134), wherein the heating device (134) is designed to receive the heat transport medium (121) from the thermal energy store (118), to heat this medium and return it to the thermal energy store (118); at least one electrochemical cell (146), wherein the electrochemical cell (146) comprises at least one gas chamber (148), wherein the electrochemical cell (146) further comprises at least one first electrode (150) and at least one second electrode (152): wherein the second electrode (152) is designed as a 3-phase electrode (154), wherein the 3-phase electrode (154) has at least one first phase boundary (156) to the gas chamber (148) and at least one second phase boundary (158) to the electrochemical storage medium (119); wherein the electrochemical cell (146) is designed to electrochemically react the electrochemical storage medium (119); and at least one container (160), wherein the container (160) is designed to receive a supply on the heat transport medium (119), wherein the container (160) is further designed to receive the thermal storage medium (119) from the thermal energy store (118).

A method is disclosed for the operation of a mixing container of a latent heat storage unit, whereby a heat storage fluid changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase, and has a higher density than a heat transfer fluid. In this method, by virtue of the geometry of the mixing container as well as the flow path of the heat storage fluid and the heat transfer fluid through the mixing container, the solid and the liquid heat storage fluids are concentrated after being mixed with the heat transfer fluid and they are subsequently separated from the heat transfer fluid at a boundary layer and withdrawn from the heat storage fluid by a flow induced below the boundary layer in the direction of an ice reservoir via a pipeline, and subsequently, the liquid heat storage fluid is separated from the solid heat storage fluid in the ice reservoir.

A heat exchanger comprising: a heat exchange unit that exchanges heat between a heat transfer medium and a heat exchange object; a phase change unit, which comprises a liquid phase space that accommodates the heat transfer medium in a liquid phase state, and a gas phase space that accommodates the heat transfer medium in a gas phase state, the heat transfer medium being capable of moving into and out of the gas phase space; and a first channel along which the heat transfer medium is moved from the phase change unit to the heat exchange unit, wherein the heat exchanger is configured such that a saturated vapor pressure at a temperature of the heat transfer medium in the liquid phase flowing into the phase change unit differs from a pressure of the heat transfer medium in the gas phase in the gas phase space.

This document describes techniques for implementing phase-change cooling in a three-dimensional structure. A three-dimensional structure having three-dimensional curvatures is fabricated to include a phase-change chamber with a fluid in a saturated thermodynamic state. As part of fabrication, specific mechanisms may be included that create a thermo-mechanical network that improves thermal performance of the phase-change chamber and also provides structural integrity to the three-dimensional structure.

A body of heat transfer fluid circulates in a first loop through an indirect screw-type thermal processor, a rundown tank, a pump, a heater and a fill tank, continuously heating the processor. With the pump operating, a first vertical distance between the fill tank bottom and the processor under the influence of gravity sets a minimum fluid pressure at the processor; a stem pipe opening in the fill tank at a second vertical distance above the processor sets a maximum pressure. With the pump inactive, the entire body of fluid passively drains to the rundown tank. Supplying the fluid may entail melting a salt, hydrating a salt, or both; such may be done in the rundown tank before circulation through the processor begins. A hydrated salt may be circulated, then heated and dehydrated, to gradually warm the processor. A dehydrated salt may be rehydrated and then stored; this may be done in the rundown tank after ceasing circulation through the processor. Also described: misting hydration and variable-speed-pump pressure regulation.

A heat storage system including a heat storage device that stores heat and transfers heat to engine coolant passing through the heat storage device. A coolant flow control system directs coolant through the heat storage system. A control module configures the coolant flow control system to direct coolant to bypass the heat storage device such that the heat storage device does not heat the coolant when temperature of the engine is above the predetermined temperature.