Thermal energy storage systems comprising encapsulated phase change materials and a neutralizing agent

A thermal energy management system comprising:

• a. at least a first container or compartment and a second container or compartment, each defining or having an interior volume or interior compartment;
• wherein the first container or compartment and the second container or compartment are in operable connection to each other such that a fluid or heat transfer medium initially stored in the second container or compartment can pass to or into the first container or compartment;
• and optionally the operable connection comprises a valve or a valve system capable of directing or controlling the flow of the fluid or heat transfer medium from the second container or compartment to or into the first container or compartment;
• and optionally the system further comprises an operable connection between the first container or compartment and the second container or compartment such that the fluid or heat transfer medium can be re-circulated from the first container or compartment back to the second container or compartment in a continuous fashion;
• b. a plurality of capsules stored or contained in the first container or compartment, wherein the plurality of capsules comprise, or have contained within an interior volume, at least one acidic or basic phase change material (PCM);
• c. a heat source operationally connected to the second container or compartment, wherein the heat source is capable of heating the fluid or heat transfer medium in the second container or compartment to above the melting point of the PCM;
• and
• d. a fluid or heat transfer medium stored or contained in the second container or compartment, wherein the fluid or heat transfer medium comprises a composition or a material, or the fluid or heat transfer medium itself is, capable of reacting with the PCM to generate a neutral, non-reactive product;
• wherein the fluid or heat transfer medium absorbs sufficient thermal energy from the heat source to heat the fluid or heat transfer medium to above the melting point of the PCM, and the heated fluid or heat transfer medium is subsequently transferred from the second container or compartment to the first container or compartment, thereby heating the PCM in the plurality of capsules to above the melting point of the PCM and removing at least a portion of the thermal energy from the fluid or heat transfer medium and storing it in the PCM as a latent heat.