US4231885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermal energy storage composition comprising peat moss
Assignee: KAM-KOTIA MINES Ltd A Co INCORP OF ONTARIO
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Filing: 1979-07-12
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Granted: 1980-11-04
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Expires: 1999-07-12
Abstract
Abstract Peat moss is used in a thermal energy storage composition to provide a network in which to trap an incongruently melting salt hydrate capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change. The peat moss network is effective in preventing the segregation of a dehydrated form of the salt between heating and cooling cycles. In a preferred embodiment that salt hydrate is the decahydrate of sodium sulphate. A nucleating agent such as sodium tetraborate decahydrate is included to prevent supercooling in the composition, and promote crystallization of the decahydrate of sodium sulphate.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip G. Rueffel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:18
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K5/00; C09K5/02; C09K5/06; C09K5/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A thermal energy storage composition which utilizes latent heat of phase change to store thermal energy comprising: an incongruently melting salt hydrate, capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change, and a nucleating agent, both being trapped in a network of peat moss.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A thermal energy storage composition which utilizes latent heat of phase change to store thermal energy comprising: an incongruently melting salt hydrate, capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change, and a nucleating agent, both being trapped in a network of peat moss.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermal energy storage composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the salt hydrate is the decahydrate of sodium sulphate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermal energy storage composition as set forth in claim 2 wherein the peat moss is mascerated sphagnum peat moss.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermal energy storage composition as set forth in claim 3 wherein the nucleating agent is sodium tetraborate decahydrate, contained in the composition in the amount of approximately 3% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermal energy storage composition as set forth in claim 4 wherein at least 7% sphagnum peat moss on a dry weight basis of peat is included.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermal energy storage composition as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least 7% sphagnum peat moss on a dry weight basis of peat is included.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermal energy storage composition as set forth in claim 5 wherein the moisture content of the sphagnum peat moss is in the range of approximately 10 to 30% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The thermal energy storage composition as set forth in claim 6 wherein the moisture content of the sphagnum peat moss is in the range of approximately 10 to b 30% by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for forming the thermal energy storage composition of claim 1 comprising: mixing peat moss with an incongruently melting salt hydrate, capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change, and a nucleating agent; and heating the mixture to at least the phase change temperature of the salt hydrate to form a melt which when cooled results in the salt hydrate and nucleating agent being trapped in a network of peat moss.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process as set forth in claim 9 wherein the salt hydrate is the decahydrate of sodium sulphate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as set forth in claim 10 wherein the peat moss is mascerated sphagnum peat moss.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as set forth in claim 11 wherein the nucleating agent is sodium tetraborate decahydrate, contained in the composition in the amount of approximately 3% by weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in claim 12 wherein at least 7% sphagnum peat moss on a dry weight basis of peat is included.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in claim 11 wherein at least 7% sphagnum peat moss on a dry weight basis of peat is included.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as set forth in claim 13 wherein the moisture content of the sphagnum peat moss is in the range of approximately 10 to 30% by weight.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as set forth in claim 14 wherein the moisture content of the sphagnum peat moss is in the range of approximately 10 to 30% by weight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3986969A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-04 | 1984-05-05 | 1984-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-04 | 1988-05-05 | 1988-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-04 | 1992-05-05 | 1992-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |