REVERSIBLE PHASE CHANGE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING HYDRATED INORGANIC SALTS AND A CATIONIC SURFACTANT THICKENING AGENT

摘要

A reversible liquid/solid phase change composition for storing thermal energy. The composition comprises at least one hydrated inorganic salt selected from a salt or mixture of salts that are subject to segregation of its chemical components during repeated freezing and thawing cycles, and a surface active thickening agent in the form of a cationic surfactant and selected from an amine, salts of the amine, or a quaternary ammonium salt of the amine, wherein the thickening agent is present in the hydrated salt in an amount sufficient to form a micelle structure throughout the hydrated salt to prevent such segregation.