Invention Reference Number
This technology addresses performance and monitoring limitations in thermal energy storage systems used to manage thermal loads in built environments, data center cooling, and industrial processes. The blade-type storage module is designed to improve heat exchange effectiveness while enabling insight into internal thermal behavior during operation. By combining a compact structural form with integrated heat transfer and diagnostic features, the technology supports more reliable thermal charging and discharging, helping operators better align thermal supply with operational demand and improve system-level efficiency.
Description
Conventional thermal energy storage systems often suffer from slow heat transfer, suboptimal internal design, and limited visibility into internal phase-change behavior, which can reduce performance and complicate system optimization. This technology introduces a blade-shaped thermal storage module that integrates multiple functional elements within a sealed structure to address these challenges.
The module incorporates an internal heat exchange pathway that supports controlled thermal charging and discharging under a range of operating conditions. A proprietary internal configuration enhances heat distribution within the storage medium, improving overall thermal response without requiring complex external controls. In addition, the technology includes a non-invasive diagnostic approach that allows real-time observation of internal phase transitions during operation, supporting performance assessment and system tuning.
Together, these features enable improved thermal management, more predictable performance, and enhanced insight into internal system behavior while maintaining compatibility with existing thermal systems and fabrication approaches.
Benefits
- Improved heat transfer performance within compact storage modules
- Enhanced ability to monitor internal thermal behavior during operation
- Supports more consistent and predictable thermal charging and discharging
Applications and Industries
- Building thermal management systems
- Industrial process heat management
- Data center cooling management
- Research and testing platforms for thermal storage technologies
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
