An energy storage system comprises a hot thermal energy storage medium and a cold thermal energy storage medium, which are interconnected in a thermodynamic gas flow circuit with gas as a working fluid. An energy converter with a motor/generator system is functionally connected to a compressor/expander system for converting between electrical energy and thermal energy of the gaseous working fluid in the thermodynamic fluid circuit. A latent TES medium is thermally connected to the thermodynamic circuit for providing a lower limit for the temperature in the cold TES medium. Specifically, the latent TES medium is liquid, typically water, which is sprayed as droplets into a tank through which the gaseous working fluid flows at subzero temperatures to produce snow in order to efficiently heat the gas to the freezing point or above.

An energy storage system comprises a hot thermal energy storage medium and a cold thermal energy storage medium, which are interconnected in a thermodynamic gas flow circuit with gas as a working fluid. An energy converter with a motor/generator system is functionally connected to a compressor/expander system for converting between electrical energy and thermal energy of the gaseous working fluid in the thermodynamic fluid circuit. A latent TES medium is thermally connected to the thermodynamic circuit for providing a lower limit for the temperature in the cold TES medium. Specifically, the latent TES medium is liquid, typically water, which is sprayed as droplets into a tank through which the gaseous working fluid flows at subzero temperatures to produce snow in order to efficiently heat the gas to the freezing point or above.

In some embodiments, a thermal energy storage system includes multiple thermal energy storage containers adapted to store thermal energy storage media, the containers having high emissivity inner surfaces that are adapted to radiate heat into the stored thermal energy storage media.

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.

Nanostructured phase change materials (PCMs) which are heterogeneous materials having at least two phases, at least one of the phases having at least one of its dimensions in the nanoscale, and comprising a first agent that undergoes an endothermic phase transition at a desired temperature and a second agent that assists in maintaining a nanostructure, are provided. There are also provided methods for manufacturing such PCMs, and applications thereof for providing thermoregulatory coatings and articles containing such coatings for use in a wide range of applications, such as cooling textiles, wipes, packaging, films, walls and building materials.

Devices, systems, and methods for cooling a gas is disclosed. A slurry is passed through a droplet generating device to produce droplets of the slurry. The slurry comprises a contact liquid and solids. A melting point of the solids is higher than a vaporization point of the contact liquid. A carrier gas is passed across the droplets to exchange heat between the carrier gas and the droplets. At least a portion of the heat transferred to the droplets melts the solids.

A heat storage apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a heat storage material and a member. The heat storage material forms a clathrate hydrate by cooling. The member has a surface with a plurality of holes. In the case that the lattice constant of the clathrate hydrate is denoted by L and the outside diameter of a cage included in the clathrate hydrate is denoted by D, the plurality of holes are spaced at intervals of 1L to 10L, and each of the plurality of holes has a hole diameter of 1D to 20D.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to enhanced dry-cooling systems and methods. More specifically, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to enhanced dry-cooling systems for increasing power plant efficiency and output. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to dry-cooling system for increasing power plant efficiency and output. The dry-cooling system comprises an air-cooled condenser and an air cooling system in fluid communication with the air-cooled condenser.

A thermal energy storage apparatus, including: a block of a heat-absorbing material, and a plurality of heat storage elements, the heat storage elements including a phase change material stored in a containment vessel; wherein each heat storage element is in thermal contact with the block of heat-absorbing material.

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 blanket may be well suited for modulating temperatures of storage and other facilities. 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. For example, a secondary blanket utilizing a phase change material of a higher melting point may be placed at an elevated vent of a roof defining the attic to encourage such circulating and blanket recharge.