Heat exchange members for thermal storage apparatus

摘要

A thermal storage apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses a group of heat exchange members immersed in a phase change medium to store coolness by freezing the heat exchange medium. The heat exchange members each include tubular passageways to carry a heat transfer fluid through the apparatus to freeze the phase change material during an ice-forming cycle and to be chilled by the solid phase change material during a melt cycle. The heat exchange members each have substantially continuous opposite surfaces to prevent the solid phase change material from forming an annulus encircling the tubular passageways. During the ice-forming cycle, the solid phase change material forms in complementary sheets or volumes so that during the melt cycle the heat transfer fluid does not gain heat near the outlets. The heat exchange members may be made of a lightweight material, such as plastic.