Temp. rise and/or pressure redn. reverse changes - in reacted liq. and solid components of heat storage system

摘要

A chemical storage system for delivering heat to a consumer unit through a heat exchanger and forced convection liq., with controlled starting of the heat storage and discharge phases, has one reaction component permanently held in a gas-tight reaction vessel, with the other component(s) added during heat discharge or removed during heat storage. The component is liq. in normal temp./pressure conditions, and the other(s) when mixed with the first liberate heat and form a solvate or adsorbate which at increased temp. and/or reduced pressure will revert to its components. The liq. component may be water, alone or mixed with alcohol, e.g. methanol. The solid component may be silica gel, a zeolite, or active carbon. Various aspects of the appts. are also claimed. System is used for preliminary warming of IC engines in cold weather, to reduce fuel consumption and fume-emission on starting. The system is much lighter than known units based on metal hydrides, esp. if one component is vaporised mainly by pressure redn., obviating one heat exchange circuit.