''Chemical Heat Accumulators'': A new approach to accumulating low potential heat

The first presentation of new composite Chemical Heat Accumulation materials based on granulated open-porous matrix filled with a hygroscopic substance is given. At storing heat, the materials operate in a reversible hydration/dehydration mode. When crystalline hydrates of simple salts are used as the hygroscopic substance, the new materials allow to reach the heat storing capacity up to 2000 kJ kg(-1) even for accumulation of low temperature heat (of circa 20-40 degrees C). The materials also possess improved properties for mass and heat transfer. All these make a serious advantage of these materials in comparison with those using a latent melting-solidification heat as well as with zeolites capable of reversible hydration/dehydration. The new materials can be widely used in energy efficient and freons-less air conditioning devices, for cooling the electronic units, fire-extinguishing and some other applications.