Phase change material heat exchanger
A heat exchanger includes an outer shell enclosing an interior space. An inlet extends through the outer shell and is in fluidic communication with the interior space. An outlet extends through the outer shell and is in fluidic communication with the interior space. At least one phase change element is inside the interior space and includes a core comprising a phase change material.
1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
an outer shell enclosing an interior space;
an inlet extending through the outer shell and in fluidic communication with the interior space;
an outlet extending through the outer shell and in fluidic communication with the interior space; and
at least one phase change element inside the interior space, wherein the at least one phase change element comprises:
a core comprising a phase change material and wherein the phase change material is tubular in shape; and
a membrane that is tubular in shape and completely covering a surface area of the phase change material, and comprising an elastic material that is impermeable to the phase change material and a coolant fluid in the heat exchanger.
2 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material is selected from the group comprising paraffin wax, hydrated salts, fatty acids, ice/water, shape memory alloys, gallium, and other metals with a melting point below 200° F.
3 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the elastic material comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer.
4 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a plurality of phase change elements, and wherein the plurality of phase change elements comprises a second phase change element that is spherical in shape.
5 . The heat exchanger of claim 4 , wherein the core of the second phase change element is spherical in shape.
6 . The heat exchanger of claim 5 , wherein the second phase change element comprises a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the outlet and larger than a diameter of the inlet.
7 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a plurality of phase change elements, and wherein the plurality of phase change elements comprises a second phase change element that is cylindrical in shape.
8 . The heat exchanger of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is a capsule-shaped pressure vessel formed from a composite material.
9 . A heat exchanger comprising:
a plurality of phase change elements, wherein each phase change element of the plurality of phase change elements comprises:
a core comprising a phase change material;
an outer housing surrounding the plurality of phase change elements and forming flow channels between the outer housing and the plurality of phase change elements, wherein the outer housing extends from a first end to a second end;
an inlet formed in the outer housing and in fluidic communication with the flow channels; and
an outlet formed in the outer housing and in fluidic communication with the flow channels, and
wherein the plurality of phase change elements comprises:
a plurality of spherical phase change elements; and
a plurality of elongated phase change elements, wherein the plurality of elongated phase change elements extends between the first end and the second end of the outer housing, extends over the inlet and over the outlet within the outer housing, and holds the plurality of spherical phase change elements in place and prevents the plurality of spherical phase change elements from moving into the outlet or the inlet.
10 . The heat exchanger of claim 9 , wherein at least one phase change element of the plurality of elongated phase change elements is cylindrical in shape.
11 . The heat exchanger of claim 9 , wherein at least one phase change element of the plurality of elongated phase change elements is tubular in shape.
12 . The heat exchanger of claim 9 , wherein the outer housing is a pressure vessel formed from a composite material.
13 . The heat exchanger of claim 12 , wherein the phase change material is selected from the group comprising paraffin wax, hydrated salts, fatty acids, ice/water, shape memory alloys, gallium, and other metals with a melting point below 200° F.
14 . The heat exchanger of claim 13 , wherein each phase change element of the plurality of phase change elements further comprises:
a membrane completely covering the core and comprising an elastic material that is impermeable to the phase change material.
15 . The heat exchanger of claim 14 , wherein the elastic material comprises rubber.
16 . The heat exchanger of claim 13 , wherein the elastic material is chemically non-reactive to the phase change material and to a coolant fluid inside of the heat exchanger.