In one aspect, compositions are described herein which include a first phase change material (PCM) component comprising an organic PCM, a second PCM component comprising an inorganic PCM, and a crosslinker linking the first PCM component to the second PCM component. In another aspect, a thermal energy storage system is described herein which comprises a container, a heat exchanger disposed within the container, and a composition described herein disposed within the container. The heat exchanger and the composition of such thermal energy storage systems are in thermal contact with one another.

Heat exchangers for thermal storage systems include a valve that can direct process fluid passing through the heat exchanger through supplemental heat exchanger tubing based on a temperature of the process fluid. The supplemental heat exchanger tubing can be located in areas where ice formation can occur during freezing of the storage fluid of the thermal storage system, but apart from the standard flow path for the heat exchanger. The valve can be a thermally-actuated valve. The thermally actuated valve can be set to divert flow of the process fluid to the supplemental tubing when the process fluid is at or above a melting temperature of the storage fluid. Methods can include selectively flowing process fluid through supplemental heat exchange tubing when it is at a temperature greater than the melting point of a storage material.

The invention provides a heat transfer system and a method for operating a heat transfer system in which a heat transfer fluid comprising or consisting of a phase change material (PCM) circulates in a cooling circuit. A combined state of phase value of the heat transfer fluid is determined based on information obtained from a sensor system including a temperature sensor and an electrical resistance sensor realized as two separate sensors or as one combined temperature-and-electrical-resistance sensor. The system and method can securely and effectively prevent a possible blocking of the channels of an indoor heat exchanger of the system by solidified PCM and an unwanted deposition of solid PCM (crystals) on heat transfer surfaces of the indoor heat exchanger.

This latent heat storage body is provided with: a latent heat storage material; and a temperature-sensitive material exhibiting different functions at a temperature equal to or higher than a specific temperature and at a temperature lower than the specific temperature, in which a phase change temperature is changed by using the function of the temperature-sensitive material according to ambient temperature. This latent heat storage body is characterized in that: the phase change temperature is set, by the function of the temperature-sensitive material when the ambient temperature is lower than the specific temperature, to one among a low temperature setting and a high temperature setting having a higher temperature than the low temperature setting; and the phase change temperature is set to the other setting among the low temperature setting and the high temperature setting by the function of the temperature-sensitive material when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the specific temperature.

Thermal energy storage and heat exchanger, distinctive in that it comprises: a number of hardened concrete thermal energy storage elements; a housing, into which said elements have been arranged; an active heat transfer and storage medium in the volume between said elements and said housing, in the form of either: a stagnant liquid or phase change material, or a dynamic fluid arranged to flow in the volume between said elements and said housing; at least one means for delivery of thermal energy to the thermal energy storage; at least one means for taking out thermal energy from the thermal energy storage; and thermal insulation.

A method for manufacturing a double-walled tube is provided. The method comprises the extrusion of two tubes wherein one tube is inside the other. A first mold is provided around the outside of the outer tube and a support provided along the inside of the inner tube. Fluid is then injected into the cavity between the inner and outer tubes to mold the outer tube against the first mold.

Heat exchangers for thermal storage systems include a valve that can direct process fluid passing through the heat exchanger through supplemental heat exchanger tubing based on a temperature of the process fluid. The supplemental heat exchanger tubing can be located in areas where ice formation can occur during freezing of the storage fluid of the thermal storage system, but apart from the standard flow path for the heat exchanger. The valve can be a thermally-actuated valve. The thermally actuated valve can be set to divert flow of the process fluid to the supplemental tubing when the process fluid is at or above a melting temperature of the storage fluid. Methods can include selectively flowing process fluid through supplemental heat exchange tubing when it is at a temperature greater than the melting point of a storage material.

A thermal conveyance system and process for absorbing, transporting, storing, and recovering thermal energy (both hot and cold energy) over a wide range of temperatures from up to 2,100° F., or higher, or cool energy at subzero temperatures in inert and stable particles without the need to maintain a minimum temperature or requiring high system pressures. The process involving the transferring thermal energy to a first transfer fluid and recovering thermal energy from a second transfer fluid wherein the first and the second transfer fluids comprise a two phase thermal media including a gaseous carrier containing a quantity of micron to millimeter sized solid particles.

A phase change material is used for the production of a sterile state indication means for a sterilization container. A sterile state indication means for a sterilization container includes a fluid-tight case containing a phase change material. In this assembly, the case wall of the case includes at least one transparent zone and an activator which can be actuated in order to release an activation energy and/or crystallization seeds. The activator is in contact with the phase change material. Further, a sterilization container includes a container trough and a container lid, including a sterile state indication means. The sterile state indication means is provided either on the container trough or on the container lid, and the activator, in the closed state of the sterilization container, is in direct or indirect connection with the respectively other element among container trough and container lid.

A refrigeration, or thermal, energy storage system for storing refrigeration, or thermal, energy, comprising a body, closed and insulated, the body being configured to contain two fluids, respectively a Phase Change Material (PCM) type fluid and a secondary fluid, the two fluids being immiscible with each other and having different densities, so as to be stratified within the volume of the body; withdrawal means configured to draw the secondary fluid from the body, and to convey the same inside a heat exchanger configured to exchange frigories, or calories, with the secondary fluid; and distribution means configured to draw the secondary fluid from the heat exchanger, and distribute the secondary fluid into the PCM type fluid, so that the secondary fluid exchanges with the PCM type fluid frigories, or calories, absorbed in the heat exchanger, the secondary fluid having a solidification temperature substantially lower than that of the PCM type fluid.