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Title: Phase-change materials aid in heat recovery

Journal Article · · Chem. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6408830

Research into a wide range of compounds which absorb heat during fusion and then release it as they cool and solidify is being encouraged by the U.S. Department of Energy, which has budgeted $18 million for thermal energy storage systems for 1980, about half of it for systems using phase-change materials. Pipe Systems Inc. is marketing a low-temperature thermal-energy storage system which uses Dow Chemical Co.'s calcium chloride hexahydrate material. Systems based on Glauber's salt, i.e., sodium sulfate decahydrate, are sold by Architectural Research Corp., Valmont Energy Systems Inc., and Solar Inc.; and F. Addison Products Co. sells a system based on paraffin wax. These low-temperature systems are suitable for space heating. Applications for systems which release heat at up to 1500/sup 0/F include hot water for domestic use, industrial process heat, and solar thermal electric power generation. The specific research and development under way at various organizations are discussed.

OSTI ID:
6408830
Journal Information:
Chem. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States), Vol. 86:15
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English