Microwave impregnation of porous materials with thermal energy storage materials

Patent · Tue Apr 13 00:00:00 EDT 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
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 27 Apr 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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