Abstract: An enhanced heat transfer between stored thermal energy and a heat recipient via a capillary pumped loop. The devices, systems and methods employ a thermal energy storage material having a solid to liquid phase transition at a temperature and a structure having a plurality of capillaries.

Abstract: A device for storing and discharging heat that employs thermal energy storage materials (TESM) and related methods of manufacturing the device. The device includes a housing, an array of capsules within the housing, and TESM contained in the capsules. The device exhibits a high initial power density. The TESM is encapsulated between metal plies. The metal plies may have a thickness on the order of 10?1 to 102 ?m. The capsules may have a thickness from 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The volume fraction of TESM in the housing may be 0.5 or more. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, and one or more flow paths for flowing a heat transfer fluid through the housing. The flow paths and the capsules are arranged so that the device has the required average initial power density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles and heat storage devices for storage of thermal energy. The articles include a metal base sheet and a metal cover sheet, wherein the metal base sheet and the metal cover sheet are sealingly joined to form one or more sealed spaces. The articles include a thermal energy storage material that is contained within the sealed spaces. The sealed spaces preferably are substantially free of water or includes liquid water at a concentration of about 1 percent by volume or less at a temperature of about 25° C., based on the total volume of the sealed spaces. The articles include one or more of the following features: a) the pressure in a sealed space is about 700 Torr or less, when the temperature of the thermal energy storage material is about 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal energy storage material (TESM) system (and associated methods) that reproducibly stores and recovers latent heat. The Thermal energy storage material system comprises i) at least one first metal containing material including at least one first metal compound that includes a nitrate ion, a nitrite ion, or both; and ii) at least one second metal containing material including at least one second metal compound. The thermal energy storage material system may water. If any water is present in the thermal energy storage material system, the water concentration should be less than about 10 wt. %. The thermal energy storage material has a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C. and exhibits a heat storage density from 300° C. to 80° C. of at least about 1 MJ/l, so that upon being used in a system that generates heat, at least a portion of the heat is captured and stored by the thermal energy storage material and subsequently released for use.

Abstract: Thermal shock resistance of a ceramic honeycomb structure is increased through modifications of the cell wall joints. Wall joints can be modified such that a longitudinally-extending opening is created, putting two or more cells that meet at the wall joint in fluid communication through such opening. In such a case, all walls that meet at such a modified joint must join at least one other wall at that joint. Alternatively, wall joints can be modified by providing stress concentrating notches which extend into the joint from two or more cells that share the joint.

Abstract: Improved thermal energy storage materials, devices and systems employing the same and related methods. The thermal energy storage materials may include a phase change material that includes a metal-containing compound. This invention is directed at methods of encapsulating thermal energy storage materials, devices containing encapsulated thermal energy storage materials, and capsular structures for encapsulating thermal energy storage materials.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage material (TESM) system (and associated methods) that reproducibly stores and recovers latent heat comprising i) at least one first metal containing material including at least one first metal compound that includes a nitrate ion, a nitrite ion, or both; ii) at least one second metal containing material including at least one second metal compound; and iii) optionally including water, wherein the water concentration if any is present is less than about 10 wt. %; wherein the TESM has a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C.; and wherein the TESM exhibits a heat storage density from 300° C. to 80° C. of at least about 1 MJ/l; so that upon being used in a system that generates heat, at least a portion of the heat is captured and stored by the TESM and subsequently released for use, and the system is generally resistant to corrosion at temperatures of about 300° C.