Latent heat storage using renewable saturated diesters as phase change materials

A series of phase change materials produced primarily from non-toxic renewable vegetable oil derivatives are described. It is shown that the synthesis of the materials from commercially available fatty acid methyl esters and short-chain dialcohols is rapid and effective. The phase change temperatures of these materials can be predictively varied, while maintaining similar latent heat values, as a function of the length of the fatty acid methyl esters and/or short chain dialcohols. This facilitates the synthesis of phase change materials which function over a wide range of working temperatures, whilst maintaining the amount of heat absorbed or released within a predictable range. The PCMs described compare favorably to other commercial PCMs, with similar or higher latent heat values. One diester which melts within a normal hot beverage consumption range was used to test diester thermoregulation. An insulated beverage container was modified with a PCM liner and filled with water initially at 85 °C. The PCM modified container brought the water to a drinkable temperature range (60 °C ± 10 °C) in less than 1 min and held the temperature of the water within the desired range for a longer duration than a control without added PCM.