Method for making a quasi-incompressible phase-change material with low thermal conductivity, and resulting product
US7105104B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B36/003
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for making a quasi-incompressible phase-change material (PCM) having low thermal conductivity includes combining with a phase-change material (PCM) in liquid state a thickening agent selected to reduce significantly thermal convection, the formed material having, depending on the combinations performed, a gelled structure or a colloidal dispersed system. The PCM may be a mixture of chemical compounds of the family of alkanes, paraffins, waxes, fatty alcohols, fatty acids and the like, and the thickening agent may be organic (aromatic ureas), organometallic (alkaline or alkaline earth soaps) or purely inorganic (silica, silico-aluminates such as bentonite made oleophilic). The material is useful for thermal isolation of containers or pipes, and in particular for thermal insulation of hydrocarbon carrying pipes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.