Abstract: Heat storage and transfer system and method in which a liquid-solid phase change material and a liquid-vapor phase change material selected for coaction with each other are disposed in a container with a body of the liquid phase of the liquid-vapor material in continuous contact with a body of the liquid phase of the liquid-solid material for superior heat transfer between the materials for giving up and transferring sensible heat and liquid to solid phase change latent heat to vaporize liquid-vapor phase change material and vapor to liquid phase change latent heat to a condenser/heat exchanger and also for superior heat transfer from a heat source such as a solar or electric heater by giving up the heat of condensation of a vapor phase to a solid-liquid material which accepts the heat as sensible heat and as heat of melting.

Abstract: Latent heat storage and supply system and method in which a body of crystallizable phase change material and a separate body of a special crystallization nucleator for the phase change material are associated for heating as a unit to melt the phase change material, for cooling to bring the molten phase change material to supercooled condition in which heat is stored as latent heat of crystallization and thereafter for transferring a controlled portion of the nucleator into the body of phase change material to induce crystallization and release of latent heat of crystallization. The special nucleator includes a component which, after the heating and cooling steps, will contain crystals for nucleating the phase change material and which has a solubility in the phase change material such that the controlled portion added to the body of phase change material will dissolve in that body during the heating step.

Abstract: A liquid melt becomes converted to crystalline form at a particular temperature either spontaneously or when artificially nucleated. The liquid releases heat at crystallization. If the liquid is in a supercooled state when it begins to crystallize, its temperature will rise from the particular temperature at which it is nucleated.Another liquid material is mixed with the liquid to be crystallized. The liquid additive has properties of forming a metastable solid together with the crystallizing material. When the liquid additive exsolves, the crystalline aggregate is weakened and is easily decomposed into fragments of small size. The liquid additive materials may include monohydric alcohols, diols and triols. The liquid additive material may be included in the liquid to be crystallized, in small amounts, amounts to two percent (2%) to five percent (5%) being typical.

Abstract: A liquid melt becomes converted to crystalline form at a particular temperature either spontaneously or when artificially nucleated. The liquid releases heat at crystallization. An additive is dissolved in the liquid melt. The additive has properties of forming a metastable solid solution together with the warm crystalline compound formed from the melt. When the additive exsolves, the crystalline aggregate is weakened and is easily decomposed into fragments of small size. The additive materials may include disodium hydrogen phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, or their ammonium or sodium analogs. The additive may be dissolved in small amounts in the liquid to be crystallized, amounts to two percent (2%) to four percent (4%) being typical. The amount of the relative metastability of the additive in the solid solution contributes to control the size and intergrowth of the crystals which are ultimately produced when the cooling or supercooled fluid crystallizes.

Abstract: A liquid melt becomes converted to crystalline form at a particular temperature either spontaneously or when artificially nucleated. The liquid releases heat at crystallization. If the liquid is in a supercooled state when it begins to crystallize, its temperature will rise from the particular temperature at which it is nucleated.Another liquid material is mixed with the liquid to be crystallized. The liquid additive has properties of forming a metastable solid together with the crystallizing material. When the liquid additive exsolves, the crystalline aggregate is weakened and is easily decomposed into fragments of small size. The liquid additive materials may include monohydric alcohols, diols and triols. The liquid additive material may be included in the liquid to be crystallized, in small amounts, amounts to two percent (2%) to five percent (5%) being typical.