Abstract: A method and apparatus for inoculating a liquid latent heat storage substance of the type convertible to the solid state on cooling is disclosed. A portion of the substance is caused to crystallize on a cooled active surface, immersed in the substance and preferably vertically arranged, whereupon the active surface is heated to fuse-off the formed crystals to release them into the liquid portion of the storage substance to thus form inoculation seeds on which further crystallization of the storage substance takes place on withdrawal of heat from same. In one described embodiment, a pair of active surfaces is provided by using a Peltier element operating with a DC source having selectively reversible polarity whereby one surface is cooled down while the other is heated and vice versa, depending on the instant polarity of the DC source.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the cycle stability of a latent heat accumulator medium consisting essentially of a pure or saturated sodium sulfate salt melt. The cycle stability is increased by adding sulfuric acid to the latent heat accumulator medium in an amount of from 0.5 to 3%, by weight, based on the weight of the latent heat accumulator medium. The pH value of the latent heat accumulator medium is lowered without precipitation of impurities or the occurance of supercooling in the latent heat accumulator medium.

Abstract: A latent heat accumulator is disclosed including an upright container hav, in a major volume first section, a latent heat storage medium, and a passage for a heat exchange medium extending through the charge in the first section. The passage is of the type of a conduit provided with intake openings at different levels. The flow of heat exchange medium through the conduit generates low pressure at the intake openings with the result that a part of the surrounding charge of the heat storage medium is drawn into the conduit for thorough intermixing and heat transfer. The intake openings are preferably protected to prevent large solidified particles of the heat storage medium from blocking the openings or from entering the conduit. The invention improves the heat transfer capacity and reduces the charge of the heat storage medium entering the associated heat exchange circulation system while retaining a relatively simple structure of the accumulator.

Abstract: A latent heat accumulator is disclosed including a vessel for receiving a tent heat storage medium and a circuit for a heat exchanger medium. The heat exchanger medium is immiscible with the latent heat storage medium, has a different density than the heat storage medium and is openly conveyed through the heat storage medium. The vessel contains a collecting chamber for the heat exchanger medium and has a heat exchanger arranged therein. An external heat carrier medium flows through the heat exchanger for transfer of heat between the heat carrier medium and the heat exchange medium. The accumulator is characterized in that a first heat carrier medium for adding heat and a second heat carrier medium for withdrawing heat are conveyed in the heat exchanger in separate conduit systems which are in heat-conductive contact with each other and with the surrounding heat exchanger medium.