Calorimetry and energy: study of petroleum fluids and storage of thermal or mechanical energy

This paper shows the prominent part played by calorimetry in on-going studies related with energy. It stresses the interest of differential scanning calorimetry and transitiometry for studying the stability of petroleum fluids, in order to avoid, in the pipes of wells and pipelines, either asphaltenes or gas hydrates precipitation, or still formation of emulsions. The role of calorimetry for selecting systems able to store thermal energy (especially for housing, with a diurnal or interseasonal cycle) is also examined and easily justified. The case of interfacial storage of mechanical energy by nanoporous lyophobic systems, in view of developing compact springs or dampers, is also examined. (authors)