Phase change thermal energy storage material

Claim 2

A thermal energy storage composition comprising a non-chloride hydrate having a phase change transition temperature in the range of 70°-95° F. and a latent heat of transformation of at least approximately 35 calories/gram.

Claim 3

The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said phase change transition temperature is in the range of 80°-85° F. and said latent heat of transformation is greater than about 50 calories/gram.

Claim 4

The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquedfied composition is capable of undercooling to below its freezing point.

Claim 5

The composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein said non-chloride hydrate liquid is capable of supercooling to at least 32° F.

Claim 6

The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition comprises a thermal storage fluid in a solar energy heating system.

Claim 7

A thermal energy storage tank comprising a containment vessel arranged for exposure to thermal energy, and a thermal energy storage composition disposed within said vessel and comprising a non-chloride hydrate having a phase change transition temperature in the range of 70°-95° F. and a latent heat of transformation of greater than about 35 calories/gram wherein said non-chloride hydrate comprises trimethyol ethane hydrate.

Claim 8

A thermal energy storage tank comprising a containment vessel arranged for exposure to thermal energy, and a thermal energy storage composition disposed within said vessel and comprising a non-chloride hydrate having a phase change transition temperature in the range of 70°-95° F. and a latent heat of transformation of greater than about 35 calories/gram wherein said non-chloride hydrate comprises trimethyol ethane hydrate.

Claim 9

The storage tank as claimed in claim 6, wherein said composition comprises trimethylol ethane X H 2 O, wherein X ranges from 1-20.

Claim 10

The storage tank as claimed in claim 7, wherein X is ten.

Claim 11

The storage tank as claimed in claim 6, wherein said composition comprises a eutectic composition trimethylol ethane hydrate.

Claim 12

The storage tank as claimed in claim 6, wherein said storage tank composes a passive solar tank.

Claim 13

The storage tank as claimed in claim 6, wherein said storage tank comprises a Trombe wall.

Claim 14

A heat generating pack comprising: flexible, thin-film enclosure means; a thermal energy storage composition disposed within said enclosure means, said composition comprising a non-chloride hydrate having a phase change transition temperature in the range of 70°-95° F., a latent heat of transformation of greater than about 35 calories/gram, and a capability of undercooling in liquid form below its freezing point so as to release thermal energy upon recrystallization thereof wherein said non-chloride hydrate comprises trimethylol ethane hydrate; and means for selectively recrystallizing said undercooled composition.

Claim 15

A heat generating pack comprising: flexible, thin-film enclosure means; a thermal energy storage composition disposed within said enclosure means, said composition comprising a non-chloride hydrate having a phase change transition temperature in the range of 70°-95° F., a latent heat of transformation of greater than about 35 calories/gram, and a capability of undercooling in liquid form below its freezing point so as to release thermal energy upon recrystallization thereof wherein said non-chloride hydrate comprises trimethylol ethane hydrate; and means for selectively recrystallizing said undercooled composition.

Claim 16

The heat generating pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein said composition comprises trimethylol ethane X H 2 O, wherein ranges from 1-20.

Claim 17

The heat generating pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein said composition comprises a eutectic composition of trimethylol ethane hydrate.

Claim 18

The heat generating pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein said composition in liquid form is capable of supercooling to a temperature of at least 32° F.

Claim 19

The heat generating pack as claimed in claim 12, wherein said recrystallizing means comprises a crystal member selectively introduced to said undercooled composition to commence the recrystallization thereof.

Claim 20

The heat generating pack as claimed in claim 16, wherein said pack includes a plurality of separately compartmentallized crystal members adapted to permit reuse of said pack.

Claim 21

The heat generating pack as claimed in claim 17, wherein said composition comprises trimethylol ethane hydrate, and said crystal member comprises trimethylol ethane.