THERMAL STORAGE SYSTEM

• US 20140008033A1
• Filed: 08/24/2011
• Published: 01/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Isentropic, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Isentropic, Ltd.
• Inventors: Howes, Jonathan Sebastian, Macnaghten, James, Hunt, Rowland Geoffrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,709,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/10
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 60/00 Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors working fluids forming pools or ponds F24S10/10
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 17/00 Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus in which a stationary intermediate heat-transfer medium or body is contacted successively by each heat-exchange medium, e.g. using granular particles
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 19/00 Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus in which the intermediate heat-transfer medium or body is moved successively into contact with each heat-exchange medium F28D15/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/0056 using solid heat storage material F28D20/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2020/0013 the heat storage material being enclosed in elements attached to or integral with heat exchange conduits
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2020/0026 the heat storage material being enclosed in mobile containers for transporting thermal energy
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2020/006 Heat storage systems not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2020/0069 Distributing arrangements; Fluid deflecting means
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2020/0082 Multiple tanks arrangements, e.g. adjacent tanks, tank in tank
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/06 by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media F28F13/003 takes precedence; static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2009/226 Transversal partitions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

A heat storage system (400) comprising a system gas inlet (460), a system gas outlet (470), and at least two thermal stores (401, 402) connected together in series therebetween, wherein each store comprises a chamber having a gas inlet (461,462), a gas outlet (471,472), and a gas-permeable thermal storage media 431 disposed therebetween, the system further comprising flow controllers (451, 452, 453, 454, 457) operatively connected to bypass passageways and so configured that, during operation, the flow path of a gas flowing through the system (400) for transfer of thermal energy to or from the storage media (431) can be selectively altered in respect of which stores (401, 402) in the series are used in response to the progress of the thermal transfer.

Claims

1. A heat storage system comprising a system gas inlet, a system gas outlet, and at least two thermal stores connected together in series therebetween, wherein each store comprises a chamber having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas-permeable thermal storage media disposed therebetween, the system further comprising flow controllers operatively connected to bypass passageways and so configured that, during operation, the flow path of a gas flowing through the system for transfer of thermal energy to or from the storage media can be selectively altered in respect of which stores in the series are used in response to the progress of the thermal transfer.

2. A heat storage system according to claim 1, wherein each store outlet apart from the last in the series is selectively connectable either to the system outlet or to the inlet of the next store in the series.

3. A heat storage system according to claim 1, wherein each store inlet apart from the last in the series is selectively connectable to the inlet of the next store in the series.

4. A heat storage system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that, in operation, the gas flow is capable of being directed to the next store in the series dependent upon the progress of the leading edge of a thermal front.

5. A heat storage system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that, in operation, the gas flow is capable of being stopped from passing through a store dependent upon the progress of the trailing edge of a thermal front.

6. A heat storage system according to claim 5, wherein:

the system is configured for first redirection such that, in operation, the gas flow is capable of being directed to the next store in the series dependent upon the progress of the leading edge of a thermal front;

the system is configured for second redirection such that, in operation, the gas flow is capable of being stopped from passing through a store dependent upon the progress of the trailing edge of a thermal front; and

the first redirection and the second redirection of the gas flow are independent of one another.

7. A heat storage system according to claim 1, wherein the two or more thermal stores are connected both in series and in parallel.

8. A heat storage system according to claim 1, wherein the stores in the series are of at least two different types.

9. A heat storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a control system for selectively altering the gas flow path.

10. A heat storage system according to claim 1, wherein the gas-permeable thermal storage media in at least one store in the series is particulate with a mean particle size of 20 mm or less.

16. Electricity storage system comprising a heat storage system according to claim 1.

11. A method of operating a heat storage system comprising a system gas inlet, a system gas outlet, and at least two thermal stores connected together in series therebetween, wherein each store comprises a chamber having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas-permeable thermal storage media disposed therebetween, the system further comprising flow controllers operatively connected to bypass passageways, wherein gas is caused to flow through the system for transfer of thermal energy to or from the storage media, and the gas flow path is selectively altered in respect of which stores in the series are used in response to the progress of the thermal transfer.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the gas flow is directed to the next store in the series depending upon the progress of the leading edge of a thermal front.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the two or more thermal stores are connected both in series and in parallel, and wherein during the course of a charging phase, or during the course of a discharging phase, stores are used in series and in parallel.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein one thermal front is split and used to create multiple thermal fronts.

15. A method according to claim 13, where multiple thermal fronts are merged to create one thermal front.