Thermal energy storage with an expansion space
First Claim
1. An arrangement for storing thermal energy, comprisinga shaft (1) and at least one tunnel (2),said shaft (1) and said at least one tunnel (2) being in fluid communication with each other,said at least one tunnel (2) comprising at least a first tunnel section (2a), a second tunnel section (2b) comprising a second tunnel section first end and a second tunnel section second end (4), and a third tunnel section (2c),said second tunnel section (2b) being arranged between and connected to said first tunnel section (2a) at said second tunnel section first end and directly connected to said third tunnel section (2c) at said second tunnel section second end (4),said second tunnel section (2b) being sealed off impermeably at said second tunnel section second end (4) such that no fluid can pass directly from said second tunnel section to said third tunnel section (2c) at said second tunnel section second end (4), and said third tunnel section (2c) further being connected to said shaft (1),said shaft (1) and first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections being adapted for holding a fluid for thermal storage,said arrangement further comprising a first transfer means (5) for passing excess fluid from said shaft (1) or said third tunnel section (2c) into said first tunnel section (2a),and a second transfer means (6) for passing excess fluid from said first tunnel section (2a) to said second tunnel section (2b) so that second tunnel section (2b) may receive excess fluid from said first tunnel section (2a);
- the arrangement further comprising a separate machine room and a third transfer means (7) connecting said machine room (3) to said second tunnel section (2b).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An arrangement for storing thermal energy, including a shaft (1) and at least one tunnel (2), the shaft (1) and the tunnel (2) being in fluid communication with each other. The tunnel (2) includes at least a first (2a), a second (2b), and a third (2c) tunnel section. The second tunnel section (2b) is arranged between and connected to the first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections. The second tunnel section (2b) is sealed off at an end (4) connected to the third tunnel section (2c), and the third tunnel section is further connected the shaft (1). The shaft (1) and first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections hold fluid for thermal storage. The second tunnel section (2b) is an expansion space should a volume of the fluid expand beyond a volume of the shaft (1) and the first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections.
200 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An arrangement for storing thermal energy, comprising
a shaft (1) and at least one tunnel (2), said shaft (1) and said at least one tunnel (2) being in fluid communication with each other, said at least one tunnel (2) comprising at least a first tunnel section (2a), a second tunnel section (2b) comprising a second tunnel section first end and a second tunnel section second end (4), and a third tunnel section (2c), said second tunnel section (2b) being arranged between and connected to said first tunnel section (2a) at said second tunnel section first end and directly connected to said third tunnel section (2c) at said second tunnel section second end (4), said second tunnel section (2b) being sealed off impermeably at said second tunnel section second end (4) such that no fluid can pass directly from said second tunnel section to said third tunnel section (2c) at said second tunnel section second end (4), and said third tunnel section (2c) further being connected to said shaft (1), said shaft (1) and first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections being adapted for holding a fluid for thermal storage, said arrangement further comprising a first transfer means (5) for passing excess fluid from said shaft (1) or said third tunnel section (2c) into said first tunnel section (2a), and a second transfer means (6) for passing excess fluid from said first tunnel section (2a) to said second tunnel section (2b) so that second tunnel section (2b) may receive excess fluid from said first tunnel section (2a); the arrangement further comprising a separate machine room and a third transfer means (7) connecting said machine room (3) to said second tunnel section (2b). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Specification