MINNEAPOLIS - Entropy Solutions Inc. has introduced a new vegetable byproduct technology that the company says can reduce home energy usage by as much as 30 percent. Called PureTemp™, it is a specially engineered vegetable oil derivative that can control temperatures to extremes - as cold as dry ice, as hot as coffee - for extended periods of time.

PureTemp’s patented and proprietary formulation works by absorbing and releasing otherwise-wasted surrounding ambient energy, providing the ability to hold specific temperature ranges for long periods, says the company. PureTemp is a phase change material (PCM), meaning it has the ability to change phases (for example, liquid to solid or solid to liquid) between set temperatures - anywhere between -40° and 151°F. During the process of liquefying and solidifying within a set temperature range, phase change materials absorb, store, and release large amounts of energy. These natural properties of latent heat energy help maintain a product’s or structure’s temperature and buffer it from temperature swings. PCMs recharge as ambient temperatures fluctuate, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

According to the company, its PureTemp phase change materials have potential for use in HVAC systems, insulation products, flooring and ceiling materials, wallboards, and roofing materials, among others.

• Thin PureTemp PCM layers added to HVAC systems can maintain specific temperatures enabling energy savings through repeated air circulation.

• Adding PureTemp to current insulation products can significantly improve their effectiveness and reduce energy costs.

• New home construction and remodeling where microencapsulated PCM is incorporated in flooring and wall materials can capture and retain energy, providing up to 30 percent reduction in energy expenses.

• PureTemp embedded in ceiling and roofing tiles can provide reduced energy consumption in retail, commercial, and industrial applications.

For more information, visit www.entropysolutionsinc.com.

Publication date:03/30/2009