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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Pelletization and roll encapsulation of thermal-energy-storage materials. Final report, September 30, 1980-December 31, 1981

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6344327
A new encapsulation concept for phase change materials (PCMs) for use in thermal storage applications has been investigated. The process involves compaction of the PCMs into tablets up to 1.3 cm (0.5 in.) in diameter followed by encapsulation with organic latex coating formulations. Capsules of seven PCMs have been fabricated and evaluated in different heat exchange fluids. In accelerated thermal cycling tests, capsules of a wax, CaCl/sub 2/.6H/sub 2/O, and a Glauber's salt eutectic mixture passed the equivalent of 20 to 25 years of real-world use without capsule degradation; one PCM (Na/sub 2/S/sub 2/O/sub 3/.5H/sub 2/O) had serious supercooling problems; three others (MgCl/sub 2/.6H/sub 2/O, Mg(NO/sub 3/)/sub 2/.6H/sub 2/O, and Na/sub 2/HOP/sub 4/.12H/sub 2/O) suffered wall degradation. A cost estimate has shown that PCM capsules, when manufactured in large scale, can be sold at less than $1.10/kg ($0.50/lb).
Research Organization:
Pennwalt Corp., King of Prussia, PA (USA). Research and Development Dept.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6344327
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-8543; ON: DE83009882
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English