A thermal-storage container used in thermal systems to exchange heat by fluid flow though phase-changing material disposed inside the thermal-storage container, including a thermal-storage container housing, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and one or more capsules containing the phase-change material, and defining a plurality of passages configured to direct the flow of the fluid at different portions inside the housing, wherein an actual fluid flow length from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet is longer than a direct length measured between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet through all sections through which the fluid flows. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

There is herein described energy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and/or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.

A thermal-storage container used in a thermal-storage system to exchange heat by fluid flow though phase-changing material disposed inside the thermal-storage container, including a thermal-storage container housing, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and one or more capsules containing the phase-change material, wherein the housing is shaped as an elongate container, a ratio of length to width of the housing is between 2 and 20. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

A dynamic temperature regulating device is for use in association with a temperature-controlled container. The dynamic temperature regulating device includes at least one heat source, at least one heat sink, a heat transfer medium and a control system. At least one of the heat source and the heat sink is a PCM (phase change material). The heat transfer medium is in thermal communication with and operably connected to the at least one heat source and the at least one heat sink. The control system is for controlling the selective thermal communication with the at least one heat source and with the at least one heat sink to regulate the temperature of the temperature-controlled container. A detachable PCM contained volumes includes a sealed housing, a phase change material and a heat transfer medium and functions as a PCM thermal energy storage volume.

A heat accumulating unit includes an upstream heat accumulator and a downstream heat accumulator each accommodating a supercooling heat accumulating material. Each of the upstream heat accumulator and the downstream heat accumulator has a channel in which fluid flows. In heat accumulation of the supercooling heat accumulating material, the channel of the upstream heat accumulator and the channel of the downstream heat accumulator are set in a serial connection state by a serial connection pipe. In a temperature rise mode, fluid that has passed through the channel of the upstream heat accumulator flows in a bypass pipe.

In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a system includes at least one active thermal storage battery and at least one passive thermal storage battery. The at least one active thermal storage battery includes a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a first phase change material disposed within the container and in thermal contact with the heat exchanger. The at least one passive thermal storage battery comprises a plurality of thermal storage cells, individual thermal storage cells comprising a container having an interior volume, and a second phase change material disposed within the interior volume of the container.

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.

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.

A cooling system transfers thermal energy from a temperature-critical reservoir to a heat sink. The system has an intermediate reservoir which is thermally interposed between the temperature-critical reservoir and the heat sink. The intermediate reservoir serves as an energy buffer between the two reservoirs by accepting thermal energy from the temperature-critical reservoir, storing that energy, and then transferring it to a heat sink by means of a temperature-driven process rather than by means of a heat pump. Transfer of thermal energy from the intermediate reservoir to the heat sink is temporally coordinated with naturally occurring temperature variations of the heat sink so that all thermal energy transfer processes conducted by the system are temperature-driven.

A thermal barrier to maintain the temperature of a battery. The barrier includes elements with respectively cold and hot PCM materials, and elements, thermal isolators, arranged at least in case of some between two of the PCM material elements.