Microwave impregnation of porous materials with thermal energy storage materials

Patent · 13 April 1993

OSTI ID:6310089

Benson, D K; Burrows, R W

A method for impregnating a porous, non-metallic construction material with a solid phase-change material is described. The phase-change material in finely divided form is spread onto the surface of the porous material, after which the porous material is exposed to microwave energy for a time sufficient to melt the phase-change material. The melted material is spontaneously absorbed into the pores of the porous material. A sealing chemical may also be included with the phase-change material (or applied subsequent to the phase-change material) to seal the surface of the porous material. Fire retardant chemicals may also be included with the phase-change materials. The treated construction materials are better able to absorb thermal energy and exhibit increased heat storage capacity.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5202150; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-874141
• OSTI ID: 6310089
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
142000* -- Solar Energy-- Heat Storage-- (1980-)
25 ENERGY STORAGE
250600 -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
ABSORPTION
BUILDING MATERIALS
DEPOSITION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
HEAT STORAGE
HEATING
IMPREGNATION
MATERIALS
MELTING
MICROWAVE HEATING
MICROWAVE RADIATION
OPTIMIZATION
PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POROUS MATERIALS
RADIATIONS
REAGENTS
SORPTION
STORAGE
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT