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US 2026/0049929 A1Published application
System and method for phase change material analysis
AssigneeSunamp Limited
InventorsGylen ODLING, Kate FISHER, David OLIVER
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a system, apparatus and method for analysing the contents of a phase change material. More specifically, the present invention discloses an apparatus for analysing the compositions of PCMs, as well as blends of anhydrous salts and blends of organic PCMs by their refractive indices.
Claims36
An apparatus for determining the composition of a molten Phase change material (PCM), the PCM comprising any one or more of the following group:
- one or more anhydrous salts, each being present in a concentration of at least 1 wt. % of the PCM;
- an aqueous solution of between about 1 wt. % and 75 wt. % of one or more anhydrous salts;
- and
- water;
- or
- one or more organic phase change materials, each being present in the PCM in a concentration of at least 1 wt. % of the PCM;
- wherein the apparatus comprises:
- means for maintaining the PCM in a molten state;
- a reservoir for holding the molten PCM;
- and
- at least one refractometer having a refractive index measurement surface and the refractometer being configured for measuring refractive index of the molten PCM:
- at least one means for measuring the temperature of the molten PCM;
- and wherein the reservoir is in contact with or in fluid communication with the refractive index measurement surface whereby, in use, the refractometer measures the refractive index of the molten PCM;
- configured to flow over the refractive index measurement surface;
- wherein the apparatus comprises at least one PCM inlet for enabling molten PCM to flow to the refractive index measurement surface;
- and
- the apparatus comprising at least one PCM outlet for enabling molten PCM to flow away from the refractive index measurement surface;
- wherein the apparatus is adapted for obtaining a measurement of the refractive index of the molten PCM by flowing the molten PCM over the surface of the reactive index measurement surface;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is adapted for comparing the measurement of the refractive index of the molten PCM to data comprising refractive index measurements of known compositions and adapted for determining the composition of the molten PCM from the comparison data.
17 more elements
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A method for determining the composition of a molten Phase change material (PCM) using a refractive index measuring apparatus, the PCM comprising any one or more of the following group:
- one or more anhydrous salts, each with a concentration of at least 1 wt. %,
- an aqueous solution of between about 1 wt. % and 75 wt. % of one or more anhydrous salts;
- and
- water;
- or
- one or more organic phase change materials, each in a concentration of at least 1 wt. % of the total PCM composition;
- wherein the apparatus comprises
- means for maintaining the PCM in a molten state;
- a reservoir for holding the molten PCM;
- and
- at least one refractometer having a refractive index measurement surface and the refractometer being configured for measuring refractive index of the molten PCM;
- at least one means for measuring the temperature the temperature of the molten PCM;
- and wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the refractive index measurement surface whereby the refractometer measures the refractive index of the molten PCM;
- wherein the method comprises;
- providing the PCM in a molten state, and
- providing fluid contact between the PCM and the refractive index measurement surface;
- and
- providing the reservoir with at least one PCM inlet for enabling PCM to flow to the refractive index measurement surface;
- and
- providing at least one PCM outlet for enabling PCM to flow away from the refractive index measurement surface;
- and
- obtaining a measurement of the refractive index of the molten PCM by flowing the molten PCM over the surface of the refractive index measurement surface;
- and
- comparing the measurement of the refractive index of the molten PCM to data comprising refractive index measurements of known compositions and determining the composition of the molten PCM from the comparison data.
21 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.