Cooling system with integral thermal energy storage

Abstract

A cooling system is provided which includes a primary heat exchanger including heat exchange pipes filled with a phase change material comprising water. The heat exchange pipes are in heat transfer relation with a coolant fluid, which, upon cooling, is transferred to a separate liquid to air heat exchanger for conversion into cool air, for example, for use in air conditioning or refrigeration.

1 . A residential and commercial cooling system comprising:
 1) a primary heat exchanger comprising:
 an outer shell; 
 a plurality of heat exchange pipes positioned in said shell, said pipes containing a phase change material therein; 
 at least one cooling element in said shell; 
 a coolant fluid in contact with said heat exchange pipes; 
 an inlet and an outlet for the transfer of said coolant fluid to and from said primary heat exchanger; 
   2) a liquid to air heat exchanger comprising:
 an inlet and outlet for the transfer of said coolant fluid; and 
 an inlet and outlet for the transfer of air. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1  including first and second cooling elements positioned at the top and bottom of said primary heat exchanger. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein said phase change material comprises water. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 3  wherein said phase change material further comprises from about 1 to about 5% by weight polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein said phase change material further comprises a water/urea phase change material comprising from about 60 to 80% water and from about 20 to 40% by weight urea. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein said coolant fluid is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerine. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 1  further including insulation on the exterior surface of said outer shell. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling system of  claim 7  wherein said insulation is vacuum panel insulation having an R value of about 50 to 60 per inch of thickness. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchange pipes comprise a metal selected from copper, stainless steel, and glass-coated steel. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchange pipes have an outer diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2.5 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The cooling system of  claim 1  wherein each of said heat exchange pipes include a cap at each end such that said phase change material is sealed therein. 
     
     
         12 . The cooling system of  claim 1  having a rectangular configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The cooling system of  claim 1  having a cubic configuration.