Thermal energy storage system

Patent · Tue Dec 20 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:7075303

Stice, J D

The invention is a sealed thermal energy storage container device including front and rear walls which together are partially absorptive and partially transmissive of visible light with a transmittance in the range between 4 percent and 85 percent and an absorptance of a least tained 9 percent. Retained within the container between the front and rear walls is an at least partially light transmissive energy storage substance that experiences a liquid-solid phase change between 45/sup 0/ F. and 190/sup 0/ F. After being strategically positioned for exposure to solar radiation, the energy storage substance accumulates a substantial quantity of energy when changed to a liquid state by incident sunlight and subsequently releases that energy when again freezing. In addition to sequentially and alternatively storing and releasing thermal energy, the container device transmits a predetermined level of incident sunlight. Furthermore, the partially absorptive walls are heated by sunlight and function as efficient sources of heating for the retained energy storage substance.

• Assignee: Kalwall Corp., Manchester, N.H.
• Patent Number(s): US 4421101
• OSTI ID: 7075303
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
142000* -- Solar Energy-- Heat Storage-- (1980-)
ABSORPTION
ABSORPTIVITY
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
ENERGY ABSORPTION
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HEAT STORAGE
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
MATERIALS
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SOLAR ABSORBERS
SOLAR ACCESS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
STORAGE
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT