AN ENCAPSULATED PHASE CHANGE SUBSTANCE

摘要

The invention relates to an encapsulated phase change substance (12) comprising a substantially spherical granule (24) including a phase change substance, and one or more sealing layers (26). In one embodiment, the phase change substance (12) is a hydrate salt calcium chloride dihydrate having a melting point of approximately 22 DEG C, and the sealing layer (26) is constructed of a phenolic epoxy resin material being substantially impermeable to the phase change substance. The invention further comprises an apparatus (10) for producing an encapsulated phase change substance. The apparatus (10) comprises one or more loading storage vessels (14) designed to contain a phase change substance, a granulator (16), and coating means (20). The storage vessel (14) communicates with the granulator (16) via a screw conveyor (18). The granulator (16) communicates with the coating means (20) via a conveyor belt system (22). The granulator (16) comprises a granulator drum rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis. The coating means includes a coating drum which is rotated at a controlled speed about its longitudinal axis. Coating compounds including one or more epoxy resins are delivered to a spray nozzle located inside the coating drum. The spray nozzle reciprocates back and forth longitudinally along the coating drum during the coating process.