ENERGY STORAGE

• US 20150276325A1
• Filed: 11/01/2013
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skanska Sverige AB (Skanska AB)
• Original Assignee: Skanska Sverige AB (Skanska AB)
• Inventors: Pilebro, Hans
• Granted Patent: US 9,791,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/0472 the conduits being helically or spirally coiled
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/0034 using liquid heat storage material
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/0043 specially adapted for long-term heat storage; Underground tanks; Floating reservoirs; Pools; Ponds F28D20/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 20/0052 using the ground body or aquifers as heat storage medium
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement for storing thermal energy, comprising at least two tunnels (1a, 1b) for holding a fluid. The tunnels (1a, 1b) are connected to each other by at least one channel (2), such that fluid communication is allowed between the tunnels (1a, 1b). Each tunnel (1a, 1b) extends at least partially along a respective circular arc.

Claims

1. An arrangement for storing thermal energy, comprising at least two tunnels (1a, 1b) for holding a fluid,

wherein said tunnels (1a, 1b) are connected to each other by a plurality of channels (2), such that fluid communication is allowed between said tunnels (1a, 1b), said channels being arranged in a tight pattern in between said tunnels (1a, 1b),

wherein each tunnel (1a, 1b) extends at least partially along a respective circular arc, and

wherein said tunnels (1a, 1b) comprise an inner tunnel (1a) and an outer tunnel (1b), the outer tunnel (1b) being arranged around the inner tunnel (1a),

each tunnel (1a, 1b) being configured as a helix, the two tunnels (1a, 1b) forming an inner helix (1a) and an outer helix (1b), wherein the outer helix (1b) is arranged around the inner helix (1a).

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising at least one shaft (3), and wherein said tunnels (1b, 1b) are connected to said shaft (3) by at least one channel (2) and/or at least one passage (4), such that fluid communication is allowed between said tunnels (1a, 1b) and said shaft (3).

5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said tunnels (1a, 1b) are connected to each other by at least one passage (4), such that fluid communication is allowed between said tunnels (1a, 1b).

7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least a centre axis of said inner tunnel (1a) and/or said outer tunnel (1b) and/or said at least one shaft (3) extend essentially in a vertical direction.

8. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said at least one passage (4) is arranged at an angle relative a horizontal plane allowing thermal natural convection.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said channels (2) are arranged at an angle relative a horizontal plane allowing thermal natural convection.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said tunnels (1a, 1b) are arranged at least partially at different vertical levels.

11. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel (1a) forming said inner helix has a greater inclination than the tunnel (1b) forming said outer helix.

12. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said passages (4) are arranged such that they are not located directly above each other in a vertical direction.

13. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the middle section of said arrangement has larger dimensions than at least one end section of said arrangement, as seen in the direction of its centre axis.

14. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said fluid is chosen from a group comprising:

water, a mixture of water and a coolant, any liquid fuels, such as hydro carbons of fossil origin or biological origin (bio fuel), salt solution, ammonia, or other refrigerants.

15. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fluid communication means (5) arranged to extract an arbitrary portion of said fluid from the tunnels (1a, 1b) and/or shaft (3) at a suitable vertical level so as to allow processing of said fluid by means of at least one heat exchanger, wherein said fluid communication means (5) further is arranged to return processed fluid to the tunnels (1a, 1b) and/or shaft (3) at a suitable vertical level.

16. The arrangement according to claim 15, further comprising an energy source coupled to said heat exchanger, which heat exchanger is arranged to increase or decrease the thermal energy of the fluid.

17. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said energy source is any of a group of energy sources comprising:

an industrial facility or other sources of waste heat, a combined heat and power plant (CHP), solar panels for heating or for combined electrical generation and heating, a heat pump, a bio fuel boiler, an electrical heater, or a fossil fuel boiler.

18. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a second shaft (6) being connected to a bottom of said first shaft.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

6. (canceled)