An improved thermocline heat storage device

Abstract

This invention addresses the significant flow resistance and malfunctions that can easily occur in conventional thermocline thermal storage devices. This device utilizes an improved thermocline thermal storage device. The heat transfer medium is first pumped into a container at the top of the device. Gravity then allows the heat transfer medium to flow into the thermal storage bed for heat exchange, thus avoiding significant flow resistance and other malfunctions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an improved thermocline layer heat storage device, belonging to the field of thermal equipment. Background Art

[0002] The thermocline thermal storage device is a novel device. It uses thermal storage particles deposited in a container to form a thermal bed. When the heat transfer medium flows into the bed, direct contact heat transfer occurs. Due to the thermocline effect, the hot and cold zones of the bed are separated by the thermocline layer, maintaining a stable outlet temperature of the heat transfer medium during the charging and discharging process. Compared to traditional double-tank molten salt thermal storage devices, it offers advantages such as a simpler structure and lower cost.

[0003] However, the entire granular bed in a thermocline thermal storage device creates significant flow resistance along the heat transfer medium's flow path, necessitating a powerful flow pump to drive the heat transfer medium. Furthermore, the granular bed can cause particles to shift and squeeze as the heat transfer medium flows through it, altering the gaps between particles and increasing local flow resistance within the device. Consequently, excessive flow resistance can easily lead to pump failure during operation.

[0004] By using the improved thermocline heat storage device, the heat transfer medium can be first pumped into the liquid storage tank above the thermocline heat storage device, so that it enters the heat storage bed layer by gravity, thereby avoiding failures caused by flow resistance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides an improved thermocline heat storage device of the present invention, which avoids the problem of malfunction easily occurring during the operation of the fluid pump due to huge flow resistance by installing a liquid storage tank on the top of the thermocline heat storage device.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an improved thermocline layer heat storage device mainly consists of a heat storage container, a heat storage particle bed, a liquid storage tank, a flow pump, a connecting port, and a heat transfer medium.

[0007] The liquid reservoir is installed above the thermal storage vessel, with its volume accounting for one-third of the vessel's volume. The two are connected via a connector. The flow rate of the heat transfer medium is determined by the size of the connector, which can be adjusted based on the flow rate. The thermal storage granule bed is formed by the accumulation of thermal storage granules within the thermal storage vessel.

[0008] During operation, a flow pump pumps the heat transfer medium from a lower location into a higher reservoir. The heat transfer medium in the reservoir flows through the thermal storage bed via a connection port under the action of gravity. This creates a contact heat exchange between the heat transfer medium and the thermal storage particles.

[0009] Compared to existing technologies, the present invention offers the following advantages: an improved thermocline thermal storage device, which utilizes a liquid reservoir installed on top of the thermal storage vessel to allow the heat transfer medium to flow through the thermal granular bed by gravity. This avoids the problem of directly using a flow pump to drive the heat transfer medium, which could damage the pump due to excessive flow resistance in the thermal granular bed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a principle structure diagram of the present invention.

[0011] The markings in the figure are: 1-liquid storage tank, 2-heat storage particle bed, 3-connection port, 4-flow pump, 5-heat transfer medium inlet, 6-heat transfer medium outlet, 7-heat storage container DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. An improved thermocline thermal storage device employs a liquid reservoir installed above a conventional thermocline thermal storage device, into which a heat transfer medium is pumped. The heat transfer medium enters the thermocline thermal storage bed by gravity, thus preventing damage to the pump due to excessive flow resistance.

[0013] like Figure 1 As shown, an improved thermoclimatic layer thermal storage device primarily comprises a thermal storage container 7, a bed of thermal storage particles 2, a connection port 3, and a liquid reservoir 1. The bed of thermal storage particles 2 in the thermal storage container 7 is formed by a stack of thermal storage particles. The thermal storage container 7 and the liquid reservoir 1 are connected via the connection port 3. The flow rate of the heat transfer medium is determined by the size of the connection port 3. When the flow rate of the heat transfer medium through the thermal storage device is high, a larger connection port is used; otherwise, a smaller connection port is used.

[0014] During operation, the heat transfer medium flows in through the heat transfer medium inlet 5 and is driven by the flow pump 4 to enter the high-level liquid reservoir 1 from the lower level. The heat transfer medium in the liquid reservoir 1 enters the heat storage container 7 through the connection port 3 under the action of gravity.

[0015] The heat transfer medium enters the thermal storage granule bed 2 and forms a seepage flow between the granules. As it flows through the granule bed 2, it contacts the granule surfaces and exchanges heat, completing the heat charging and discharging process. It then flows out through the heat transfer medium outlet 6.

[0016] When the heat transfer medium is cold and the thermal storage particles are hot, heat is transferred from the thermal storage particles to the heat transfer medium, and the thermocline thermal storage device releases heat. When the heat transfer medium is hot and the thermal storage particles are cold, heat is transferred from the heat transfer medium to the thermal storage particles, and the thermocline thermal storage device charges heat.

Claims

1. A method for operating a thermocline thermal storage device, characterized in that: The thermocline heat storage device comprises a heat storage container, a heat storage particle bed, a liquid reservoir, a flow pump, a connection port, and a heat transfer medium. The liquid reservoir is installed above the heat storage container, and its volume is 1 / 3 of the volume of the heat storage container. The heat storage container and the liquid reservoir are connected via a connection port. The heat storage particle bed is formed by the accumulation of heat storage particles in the heat storage container. The flow pump pumps the heat transfer medium into the liquid reservoir above the heat storage container. The heat transfer medium in the liquid reservoir flows through the heat storage bed through the connection port by gravity. The heat transfer medium can only flow from the top to the bottom of the heat storage container. The heat transfer medium and the heat storage particles perform contact heat exchange. The flow rate of the heat transfer medium is determined by the size of the connection port, and the size can be adjusted according to the flow rate; The operation method includes: during operation, a heat transfer medium flows in through a heat transfer medium inlet and, driven by a flow pump, enters a liquid storage tank at a higher location from a lower location; the heat transfer medium in the liquid storage tank enters a heat storage container through a connection port under the action of gravity; the heat transfer medium enters a bed of heat storage particles and forms a seepage flow in the gaps between the heat storage particles; while flowing through the gaps between the heat storage particles, the heat transfer medium contacts the surface of the heat storage particles and performs heat exchange, thereby completing a heat charging and discharging process; and then flows out from a heat transfer medium outlet; When the heat transfer medium is cold and the heat storage particles are hot, heat is transferred from the heat storage particles to the heat transfer medium, and the thermocline heat storage device releases heat; when the heat transfer medium is hot and the heat storage particles are cold, heat is transferred from the heat transfer medium to the heat storage particles, and the thermocline heat storage device charges heat.

Images