HEAT EXCHANGER DEVICE COMPRISING A PHASE-CHANGE MATERIAL

Heat exchanger device comprising a tubing for receiving and delivering a heat transfer fluid; a phase-change material, PCM, encompassing said tubing; a plurality of cells receiving the phase-change material, PCM, such that the flow of the heat transfer fluid in said tubing causes each cell PCM to change phase gradually in the direction of the inlet to the outlet. The cells may be closed cells or open cells, the tubing may comprise fins and the exchanger may comprise an external tank for containing the PCM. The heat exchanger may comprise a second tubing for receiving and delivering a second heat transfer fluid, wherein the second tubing is connected to the PCM cells and/or to the fins of the first tubing, such that heat is transferred between the first tubing and the second tubing as each cell PCM gradually changes phase.