THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE COMPRISING AN EXPANSION SPACE

• US 20150354903A1
• Filed: 11/01/2013
• Published: 12/10/2015
• 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 9,823,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 5/00 Storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth
• 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: F28D 2020/006 Heat storage systems not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/10 Geothermal energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement for storing thermal energy, comprising a shaft (1) and at least one tunnel (2), the shaft (1) and the at least one tunnel (2) being in fluid communication with each other. The tunnel (2) comprises 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 are adapted for holding fluid for thermal storage. The second tunnel section (2b) is adapted for use as 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. The arrangement further comprises a first transfer means (5) for passing the expanded fluid volume from the shaft (1) and/or the third tunnel section (2c) temporarily into the first tunnel section (2a), and a second transfer means (6) for passing the expanded fluid volume from the first tunnel section (2a) to the second tunnel section (2b).

Claims

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 tunnel (2) comprising at least a first (2a), a second (2b), and a third (2c) tunnel section, said second tunnel section (2b) being arranged between and connected to said first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections, said second tunnel section (2b) being sealed off at an end (4) connected to said third tunnel section (2c), 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 fluid for thermal storage,

said second tunnel section (2b) being adapted for use as an expansion space should a volume of said fluid expand beyond a volume of said shaft (1) and said first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections,

said arrangement further comprising a first transfer means (5) for passing said expanded fluid volume from said shaft (1) and/or said third tunnel section (2c) into said first tunnel section (2a),

and a second transfer means (6) for passing said expanded fluid volume from said first tunnel section (2a) to said second tunnel section (2b).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said first transfer means (5) comprises a pipe or a channel.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second transfer means (6) comprises a pipe, a channel, a partial wall, or a one-way valve.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a separate machine room (3) being arranged in proximity to said shaft (1), and third transfer means (7) connecting said machine room (3) to said second tunnel section (2b).

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said third transfer means (7) comprises a pipe or a channel.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an amount of fluid is passed from said second tunnel section (2b) to said first tunnel section (2a) by a pump means (8), should the fluid volume in said first tunnel section (2a) fall below a predetermined limit value.

7. Use of an arrangement according to claim 1, for balancing the fluid level in the storage to a level slightly below the surrounding ground water level in order to eliminate leakage of fluid from the storage to the surrounding ground water.

8. Use of an arrangement according to claim 1, for connecting said machine room (3) to said second tunnel section (2b) for drainage and/or safety reasons.