Thermal buffer system

A thermal buffer system, comprising:

• a phase change heat exchanger (PCHEX) cell, comprising:
• a plurality of generally parallel first and second conduits extending through a sealed housing and arranged in an alternating manner, each conduit having opposite inlet and outlet ends, the inlet ends of the first conduits being disposed at an opposite end of the housing from the inlet ends of the second conduits;
• first and second headers respectively coupled to the respective inlet ends of the first and second conduits, each header having a fluid inlet and being disposed at an opposite end of the housing from the other header;
• first and second collectors respectively coupled to the respective outlet ends of the first and second conduits, each collector having a fluid outlet and being disposed at an opposite end of the housing from the other header;
• a thermally conductive matrix disposed within the housing and between the conduits, the matrix being thermally coupled to exterior walls of the conduits and defining a plurality of interstitial voids therein;
• and,
• a phase change material (PCM) disposed within and substantially filling the interstitial voids of the matrix.
• an apparatus for circulating a first working fluid of an intermittent thermal load through the first conduits of the PCHEX in a first direction such that heat is transferred between the first fluid and the PCM of the PCHEX in a second direction and causes a first phase change in the PCM;
• and,
• an apparatus for circulating a second working fluid of a heat pump through the second conduits of the PCHEX in a third direction opposite to the first direction such that heat is transferred between the second fluid and the PCM in a fourth direction opposite to the second direction and causes a second phase change in the PCM opposite to the first phase change therein.