Professor Rafał Andrzejczyk’s Thermal Storage System Awarded a European Patent | Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology at the Gdańsk University of Technology

The invention concerns a compact, modular thermal energy storage technology that uses a phase-change material (PCM). The developed storage unit is intended primarily for mobile applications, especially in electric and hybrid vehicles, with the assumption that it will be integrated with the onboard HVAC system responsible for ensuring thermal comfort inside the vehicle.

Opening the door to collaboration

“Receiving the patent is above all the culmination of more than five years of work on this solution. I first obtained a Polish patent, and then—using IDUB funding—I prepared two applications under the TITANIUM project, after which the necessary documentation for the European patent was created in two stages. Such protection enables negotiations with European companies or Polish firms with foreign branches that may be interested in the technology,” emphasizes Prof. Rafał Andrzejczyk.

Who can benefit from it?

This type of thermal energy storage unit offers extremely broad application possibilities. It can be used in vehicles as well as in ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and in heating systems installed in single- and multi-family residential buildings, offices, or public facilities. The solution is particularly attractive for buildings equipped with renewable energy sources or those planning to take advantage of dynamic tariffs—not only for electricity but also for heat, a topic increasingly discussed in Poland.

“In Poland, buildings constructed before the year 2000 dominate, and their average primary energy demand exceeds 150 kWh/m²·year. Most of them have small technical rooms, which limits the possibility of installing extensive heat or cooling sources or energy storage systems. In this context, the key advantage of the described storage unit is its compactness. Additionally, the use of biodegradable phase-change materials means that disposal is not problematic, and the filling itself is safe for users,” the researcher adds.

A ‘honeycomb’ approach to technology

The system features a honeycomb structure, which contributes to its compact form and enables integration in confined spaces as well as in environments with large variations in HVAC operating parameters.

“The best packing density for individual modules is achieved with a hexagonal geometry. The idea is to maximize the volume occupied by the storage unit, because every cubic meter is extremely costly today. This is a major advantage, as such packing is impossible in classic water-based buffers, which must take a cylindrical form due to pressure distribution. The heat capacity of a phase-change thermal storage unit is several times greater than that of a water-based one,” the professor stresses.