RUBITHERM^® PK

RUBITHERM PK is a compound latent heat material with a very high PCM content and therefore a large storage capacity. The compound material has been designed for use directly in water / coolant based systems and features a significantly increased surface area per volume unit, allowing the fast transfer of heat / cold into and out of the thermal storage. Thus the problem of low conductivity which was so far the main hurdle for the use of PCMs in water based systems has been solved. This makes the PK extremely suited for use in latent heat storage units.

Structure

A special additive is incorporated, which binds the PCM within a cross-linked structure. This ensures, as for all our bound RUBITHERM PCM's, that the PCM does not leak out of the supporting structure, even when it is above its theoretical melting temperature or in case of physical damage.

Advantages

The key advantages are the very high PCM content and the large volumetric surface area of the pellets. Thus this is the only PCM material on the market with an efficient heat exchange mechanism, which makes it the ideal solution for water based systems. Also there is no leakage of PCM into water ( it is 100% non-soluble ), it retains its structural integrity below and above melting temperature and has only limited volume expansion compared to traditional PCMs.

Characteristics:

Below the melting temperature of the PCM bound in the RUBITHERM PK, the product is white in colour and quite rigid whereas above it PK becomes very flexible, elastic and transparent whilst retaining its structural integrity

PK is based on our range of proven RT and RT HC materials.

• available with melting temperatures of around 6°C and from 42°C up to approximately 80°C
• high thermal energy storage capacity
• heat storage and release take place at relatively constant temperatures
• no super-cooling
• large volumetric surface area: ~1m² / litre
• heat conductivity: ~0,2 W / (m*K)
• material density: ~0,9 kg/l, bulk density approximatly 0,6 kg/l
• typical pellet diameter 3-5 mm (adjustable)
• very limited volume change during phase change (approximatly 8%)
• remains solid above phase change temperature - elimination of the handling and storage of liquids
• very flexible, especially in the PCM melted state
• ecologically harmless and non-toxic
• reusable
• long-life product ( 10000 cycles test )
  

Application

In addition to the main use in heat/cold storage tanks in water based systems, i.e. solar or geo-thermal heating, industrial cold, air-conditioning, refrigeration systems, etc, applications in the textile industry and consumer markets, food and pharmaceutical transport and in the manufacture of thermally active components are planned.

For more technical details please contact us.

Please note that PK is still in development / application testing and not yet commercially available to the general public.