Importance

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Abstract

A thermal energy storage apparatus for use in refrigeration and air conditioning holdover systems is disclosed. The apparatus comprises thermal energy storage media encapsulated in a way that enables use of corrosive and/or aqueous thermal energy storage media in high efficiency refrigeration and air conditioning thermal storage systems; natural convection of a non-freezing, non-corrosive heat exchange fluid provides heat transfer between the encapsulated thermal energy storage media and the refrigeration/air conditioning circuit. Several possible embodiments of the encapsulated media and thermal coupling system that provide efficient heat transfer between the refrigeration circuit and the thermal energy storage media are described. In one preferred embodiment the apparatus comprises a refrigeration circuit, energy storage medium disposed in expandable, preferably cylindrical capsules, and a convective heat transfer fluid which remains liquid over the temperature range of operation, the fluid thermally coupling the refrigeration circuit and the energy storage medium. The preferred embodiments of the invention entail use of a multiplicity of small cylindrical capsules mounted in supporting fixtures (racks, grids, or frames, which are optionally integral to the capsules) or attached to a sheet or grid that supports many capsules. Capsules are by this method closely packed in the space surrounding the refrigeration heat exchanger circuit.

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First Claim