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Reversible metal hydride thermal energy storage systems, devices, and process for high temperature applications

a technology of metal hydride thermal energy storage and metal hydride, which is applied in the direction of indirect heat exchangers, energy inputs, lighting and heating apparatuses, etc., can solve the problems of large quantities of salts required to operate, no commercial high-temperature thermal energy storage systems (tes) are available for applications that operate above 600° c., and achieve the effect of enhancing thermal conductivity

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-08-28
BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a system that uses metal disks to improve heat transfer in a reservoir. The metal disks are placed at a specific distance from each other and are made of titanium or a metal alloy that forms hydrides during operation. This improves the transfer of heat from the metal beds to the surrounding environment. The density of metal disks in the reservoir is between 2% and 10%. The technical effect of this system is better heat transfer that can improve the efficiency of heat exchangers.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, no commercial high-temperature thermal energy storage systems (TES) are available that operate above 600° C. for applications such as power generation.
Some conventional thermal energy storage (TES) systems employ molten salts reported to operate at mid-level temperatures up to 500° C. However, energy density for these systems is only about 153 kJ / kg.
Thus, large quantities of salts are required to operate.
However, at higher temperatures, magnesium hydride requires significantly increased pressures.
Elevated pressures significantly increase costs as containers must withstand the added pressures.
Further, at a pressure of ≈250 bar (25 MPa), storage as a hydride is not possible above a temperature of 566° C. due to a problematic phase transition from Mg+β(MgH2) to a mixture of Mg and H2.
Another system based on molten CaH2 is reported that operates continuously at temperatures between 1000° C. and 1200° C. However, to withstand these temperatures, reactor tanks must be constructed of costly nickel-based alloys.

Method used

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  • Reversible metal hydride thermal energy storage systems, devices, and process for high temperature applications
  • Reversible metal hydride thermal energy storage systems, devices, and process for high temperature applications
  • Reversible metal hydride thermal energy storage systems, devices, and process for high temperature applications

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

Bench-Scale Thermal Energy Storage System

[0089]A 2.5 gram sample of titanium hydride (TiH) was loaded into a temperature controlled sample container with the ability to add or remove hydrogen to maintain pressure over the sample. Operating temperature was between about 640° C. and about 650° C. Hydrogen pressure was 1 bar. Results showed a minimum of 100 thermal cycles without a loss in capacity.

example 2

Lab-Scale Thermal Energy Storage System

10 Kg Test Bed, 3 kWh Prototype

[0090]The TES system of FIG. 1 was used for performance testing. Prior to operation, the TES system was positioned vertically with a protective Plexiglas® cover positioned at one end of the TES system in a fume hood. The high-temperature (HT) reservoir and the low-temperature (LT) reservoir were each filled with a dense (8% nominal density) copper metal foam containing 10 pores per inch (ppi) (e.g., DUOCEL® copper foam, ERG Materials and Aerospace Corp., Oakland, Calif., USA). Titanium powder was introduced into the HT reservoir by vibrating the reservoir which facilitated uniform distribution and loose compaction of the powder into the open cells of the copper metal foam. Argon gas was flowed through the test beds during filling. A total of 9.4 kilogram of metal foam was loaded with titanium powder.

example 3

Full-Scale System (˜1,000 Kg)

[0091]A full-scale system conceptual of a 240 kWh prototype design is envisioned illustrated in FIG. 3. A HT metal hydride storage tank and a LT metal hydride storage tank described herein will be constructed. Each tank will comprise a metal hydride bed containing up to 1,000 kg of a selected metal powders in compressed form. The storage tanks will be connected to a solar collector / solar collector that will collect heat from solar collection (i.e., an On-Sun Test) and provide energy to the selected MH tanks.

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Abstract

High-temperature thermal energy storage and retrieval systems, devices, and processes are described that reversibly store high-temperature heat in metal hydride beds composed of titanium-containing metals or transition metal alloy that reversibly form metal hydrides at high temperatures above about 600° C. and at low temperatures at or below 100° C. The present invention provides exergetic efficiency up to 96% or better.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This is a Non-Provisional application that claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 769,628 entitled “Reversible Metal Hydride Thermal Energy Storage System and Process for High Temperature Power Generation”, filed 26 Feb. 2013, which reference is incorporated in its entirety herein.STATEMENT REGARDING RIGHTS TO INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]This invention was made with Government support under Contract DE-ACO5-76RL01830 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in the invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Currently, no commercial high-temperature thermal energy storage systems (TES) are available that operate above 600° C. for applications such as power generation. Some conventional thermal energy storage (TES) systems employ molten salts reported to operate at mid-level temperatures up to 500° C. However, energy density for these systems is on...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F28D20/00
CPCF28D20/003C01B3/0005C01B3/0026C01B3/0031Y02E60/14Y02E60/32Y02P20/129
Inventor RONNEBRO, EWA CARIN ELLINORWHYATT, GREG A.POWELL, MICHAEL R.
Owner BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST