John F Westerman

US Patent:

48217948, Apr 18, 1989

Filed:

Apr 4, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/176934

Inventors:

Albert G. Tsai - San Diego CA
John F. Westerman - San Diego CA
Victor J. Ott - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Thermal Energy Storage, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F28D 2000

US Classification:

16510417

Abstract:

A thermal energy storage system comprises a closed container, containing a storage medium capable of forming clathrate crystals, an emulsifier pump for intimately mixing the storage medium into a homogeneously suspended mixture and a heat exchanger for forming a cooled solution from the emulsified storage medium. The cooled solution is reinjected into the container under pressure by a plurality of nozzles to mix the storage medium and to form clathrate crystals. The system utilizes the latent and sensible heats of clathrate hydrate storage materials to promote effective heat transfer into and out of the system.