Abstract
A new type of heat storage materials combining high temperature molten salts (phases change latent heat thermal storage materials, PCM) with porous metals sensible heat thermal storage materials was developed in the authors' institute. The process of this technology is expressed as following : firstly, it is necessary to heat up the molten salts phases change materials to molten; and then the porous metals are put into the molten bath; after residing 1∿3 hours, the composite heat storage materials lumps are taken out of the molten bath and cooled to atmospheric temperature; the last step is to electrodeposit a layer metal coat on the surface of the material lumps. This new type of heat storage material integrates the advantages of both solid sensible heat thermal storage materials and high temperature phases change latent heat thermal storage materials. The metal-base heat storage materials enjoy some favorable characteristics such as higher heat charge-discharge rate, higher heat storage density and better mechanical strength.
