Heat energy storage device and heat energy storage system

Abstract

The invention discloses a heat energy storage device and a heat energy storage system.The heat energy storage device comprises a shell, a heat storage module and a heat storage module, the shell comprises an outer container, an inner container and a heat insulation unit, the inner container is arranged in the outer container, and the heat insulation unit is arranged in a middle interlayer between the inner container and the outer container; the heat storage material is filled in the inner container; the heat charging unit comprises at least one heat charging module; the heat charging module is configured to heat the heat storage material; and the heat release unit comprises at least one heat release module, and the heat release module is configured to supply heat to the outside by utilizing the heat stored by the heat storage material. The heat energy storage device can have relatively good energy / power density, heat charging / discharging rate and heat preservation and heat insulation performance, the service life is long, miniaturization can be achieved, and home application of the heat energy storage device is facilitated.

Description

[0001] This invention claims the priority of a Chinese patent titled "A Thermal Energy Storage Device" with the application number "2024107905677" filed with the Chinese Patent Office on June 18, 2024. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the technical field of energy storage, and particularly to a thermal energy storage device and a thermal energy storage system. Background Art

[0003] Thermal energy storage devices can convert other forms of energy such as electrical energy into thermal energy, so as to store energy by storing heat. Therefore, the structural design of thermal energy storage devices has become an important topic that needs to be urgently studied by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The objective of this invention is to provide a thermal energy storage device that can have relatively better heat insulation performance.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, this invention provides a thermal energy storage device, including: a housing, including an outer container, an inner container, and a heat insulation unit, the inner container is disposed inside the outer container, and the heat insulation unit is disposed in the intermediate layer between the inner container and the outer container; a heat storage material filled in the inner container; a heat charging unit including at least one heat charging module, the heat charging module is configured to heat the heat storage material; a heat discharging unit including at least one heat discharging module, the heat discharging module is configured to supply heat externally using the heat stored in the heat storage material.

[0006] In the above solution, a heat insulation unit is disposed in the intermediate layer between the inner container and the outer container. The heat insulation unit is used to improve the heat insulation performance of the housing, can reduce the thermal conductivity coefficient, so that the thermal energy storage device can have relatively high heat insulation performance.

[0007] Optionally, the intermediate layer is in a preset vacuum state, and / or the heat insulation unit includes one layer or more than two layers of nano heat insulation materials. The intermediate layer is in a vacuum state, and one layer or more than two layers of nano heat insulation materials are filled in the intermediate layer.

[0008] In the above solution, the intermediate layer between the inner container and the outer container is in a vacuum state, and is filled with nano heat insulation materials in the intermediate layer, which can reduce the thermal conductivity coefficient, so that the thermal energy storage device can have relatively high heat insulation performance.

[0009] Moreover, due to relatively good heat insulation performance, the thickness of the intermediate interlayer can be made thinner. Under the condition that the outer container remains unchanged, the size of the inner container can be increased, which can increase the filling amount of the heat storage material and is also beneficial to improving the heat storage performance of the heat energy storage device. Under the condition that the inner container remains unchanged, the size of the outer container can be reduced, which is beneficial to miniaturizing the heat energy storage device and facilitating construction.

[0010] In addition, the relatively good heat insulation performance enables the heat storage material in the heat energy storage device provided by the present invention to still maintain a relatively high thermal efficiency when releasing heat after maintaining a high temperature state for a long time (such as 24 hours), which has a positive significance for improving the power density and energy storage density of the heat energy storage device.

[0011] Optionally, a vacuum pump is further included. The vacuum pump is communicated with the intermediate interlayer, and the vacuum pump is configured to be operable to maintain a preset vacuum pressure.

[0012] Optionally, the preset vacuum pressure is between 10 mbar and 200 mbar.

[0013] Optionally, a sensor for measuring the temperature or pressure at one or more positions in the heat energy storage device is further included, and the vacuum pump is configured to be started and stopped according to the temperature or the pressure.

[0014] Optionally, the nano-insulation material layer includes a core material and a packaging part. The core material is encapsulated in the packaging part, and the core material includes fumed silica particles, a light-shielding agent, and reinforcing fibers.

[0015] Optionally, the nano-insulation material layer is configured as a flat first heat insulation plate, and the first heat insulation plate is located on the upper side and the lower side of the inner container. The heat insulation unit is provided with the first heat insulation plate, and the first heat insulation plate includes the nano-insulation material and is located on the top surface and the bottom surface of the inner container.

[0016] Optionally, the nano-insulation material layer is further configured as a second heat insulation plate that can be curled, and the second heat insulation plate is located on the outer peripheral side of the inner container. The heat insulation unit is provided with the second heat insulation plate, and the second heat insulation plate includes the nano-insulation material and is located on the outer peripheral side of the inner container.

[0017] Optionally, the nano-insulation material layer is configured as multiple layers, and a heat reflection layer is arranged between each layer of the nano-insulation material layer. The heat insulation unit is provided with multiple layers of the nano-insulation material layer, and a heat reflection layer is arranged between each layer of the nano-insulation material layer.

[0018] Optionally, the nano thermal insulation material is configured as multiple layers, and a heat reflective layer is disposed between two adjacent layers of the nano thermal insulation material.

[0019] Optionally, a detection component is disposed inside the housing, the housing is configured with a signal connection portion, and the detection component and the signal connection portion are in signal connection; and / or, the thermal energy storage device further includes a backup power source.

[0020] Optionally, the heat insulation unit includes an inner heat insulation portion and an outer heat insulation portion, the inner heat insulation portion is closer to the inner container than the outer heat insulation portion, and the materials of the inner heat insulation portion and the outer heat insulation portion are different.

[0021] Optionally, the inner heat insulation portion includes at least one layer of nano thermal insulation material layer and at least one layer of heat reflective layer.

[0022] Optionally, the outer heat insulation portion includes at least one layer of aerogel felt layer and at least one layer of heat reflective layer.

[0023] Optionally, the heat charging module includes an electric heat charging mechanism and a heat charging pipe, at least a part of the heat charging pipe is located in the heat storage material, the electric heat charging mechanism includes an electric heat charging rod, and the electric heat charging rod is inserted into the heat charging pipe.

[0024] Optionally, the outer wall surface of the electric heat charging rod is in contact with the inner wall surface of the heat charging pipe; or, the electric heat charging mechanism further includes a heat transfer sleeve, the heat transfer sleeve is sleeved outside the electric heat charging rod, the outer wall surface of the electric heat charging rod is in contact with the inner wall surface of the heat transfer sleeve, and the outer wall surface of the heat transfer sleeve is in contact with the inner wall surface of the heat charging pipe.

[0025] Optionally, the material of the heat transfer sleeve includes any one of metal materials, graphite materials, carbide ceramics, etc.

[0026] Optionally, the heat charging module includes an electric heat charging mechanism, the electric heat charging mechanism includes a planar structure electric heating component, the planar structure electric heating component is configured to be bendable, and the planar structure electric heating component is configured to be arranged on the outer side wall and / or the outer bottom surface of the inner container.

[0027] Optionally, the heat charging module includes an optical heat charging mechanism and a heat charging pipe, at least a part of the heat charging pipe is located in the heat storage material, the optical heat charging mechanism at least includes an optical transmission component, and the optical transmission component is configured to be able to transmit light into the heat charging pipe.

[0028] Optionally, the inner hole of the heat charging pipe is a constant cross-section hole; or, the inner hole of the heat charging pipe is a tapered hole in the direction away from the optical transmission component; or, at least a partial hole section of the inner hole of the heat charging pipe is provided with internal threads or grooves.

[0029] Optionally, the light heat charging mechanism further includes a light guiding component, which is connected to the light conveying component, and is configured to guide the light conveyed by the light conveying component to the inner wall surface of the heat charging tube.

[0030] Optionally, the heat storage material is an aluminum-silicon alloy material, which is configured to undergo a phase change during the heat charging and heat releasing processes, and a reserved space is arranged on the upper side of the inner container for the heat storage material.

[0031] Optionally, a flow inhibition structure is arranged on the outer wall surface of the heat charging tube.

[0032] Optionally, at least a part of the inner container, the heat charging module, and the heat releasing module that is in contact with the heat storage material is configured as a double-layer structure, which includes a contact part and a non-contact part. The contact part and the non-contact part are sleeved with each other. The contact part is directly in contact with the heat storage material, the contact part is made of titanium alloy, and the non-contact part is made of stainless steel.

[0033] Optionally, at least a part of the inner container, the heat charging module, and the heat releasing module that is in contact with the heat storage material is provided with a corrosion-resistant layer.

[0034] Optionally, the corrosion-resistant layer is one or more of an electroplated layer, a structural ceramic layer, a structural ceramic mixed graphite layer, a carbon steel aluminized layer, and a titanium alloy, and can achieve corrosion prevention at a specific high temperature.

[0035] Optionally, the heat storage material includes at least one heat storage module. The heat storage module includes an inner layer part and an outer layer part. The inner layer part is located inside the outer layer part. The heat storage module has a cylindrical interface between the inner layer part and the outer layer part. The number of the heat releasing modules is the same as that of the heat storage modules, and the heat releasing modules are correspondingly arranged in the heat storage modules. The heat releasing module includes at least one first heat releasing tube, and the first heat releasing tube is arranged along the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the interface. The tube wall of the first heat releasing tube includes an inner side wall part and an outer side wall part in its circumferential direction. The inner side wall part is located in the inner layer part, and the outer side wall part is located in the outer layer part.

[0036] Optionally, the first heat releasing tube includes a first tube section, and the projection of the first tube section in the axial direction of the interface does not cover the projection of the interface in its axial direction. The number of the first tube sections is greater than or equal to three, and each of the first tube sections is arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the interface.

[0037] Optionally, the first heat releasing tube includes at least one second tube section, and the projection of the second tube section in the axial direction of the interface can cover the projection of the interface in its axial direction.

[0038] Optionally, the second pipe section is an annular pipe or a spiral coiled pipe. The heat release module includes at least one heat release pipe, and the heat release pipe is disposed inside the inner container or in the intermediate interlayer.

[0039] Optionally, the heat release module includes at least one heat release pipe, and the heat release pipe is disposed inside the heat storage material. The heat release pipe includes an annular pipe and a spiral coiled pipe; or,

[0040] At least a partial pipe section of the heat release pipe is a bent pipe, and the central axes of the heat release pipes are located in the same plane.

[0041] The present invention further provides a heat energy storage system, including a heat energy storage device, a heat charging device, and a heat release device. The heat energy storage device is the above-mentioned heat energy storage device. The heat charging device is configured to be connectable to the heat charging unit and provide a heat charging source to the heat charging unit; the heat release device is configured to be connectable to the heat release unit and provide a heat exchange medium outward.

[0042] Optionally, the heat exchange medium includes water and / or water vapor. The heat release device includes a steam supply mechanism. The steam supply mechanism includes a first water path and a first steam path. The first water path is communicated with the input end of the heat release unit, and the first steam path is communicated with the output end of the heat release unit. The first water path provides water to the heat release unit, and the first steam path provides hot water and / or water vapor outward.

[0043] Optionally, the heat release device further includes a second water path. The first steam path is connected with a steam-water mixing component, and the second water path is connected with the steam-water mixing component. Description of the Drawings

[0044] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the heat energy storage device provided by the present invention, and the inner cavity is filled with heat storage material;

[0045] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the heat energy storage device provided by the present invention, and the heat storage material is omitted from the inner cavity;

[0046] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the heat energy storage device provided by the present invention, configured with an electric heat charging mechanism;

[0047] Figure 4 It is a partial structural diagram of the heat charging pipe;

[0048] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of an implementation manner of the heat insulation unit;

[0049] Figure 6 It is a distribution diagram of an implementation manner of the heat release unit in the heat storage material;

[0050] Figure 7 is a boiling heat transfer curve graph;

[0051] Figure 8 is a distribution diagram of another implementation manner of the heat release unit in the heat storage material;

[0052] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of one implementation manner of the first heat release tube;

[0053] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of another implementation manner of the first heat release tube;

[0054] Figure 11 is a distribution diagram of yet another implementation manner of the heat release unit in the heat storage material;

[0055] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of the heat release tube in the inner container;

[0056] Figure 13 is a structural schematic diagram of the third heat release tube in the heat storage material;

[0057] Figure 14 is a structural schematic diagram of the heat energy storage system provided by the present invention;

[0058] Figure 15 is a circuit diagram of one implementation manner of the voltage regulating component;

[0059] Figure 16 is a circuit diagram of one implementation manner of the adjustable resistor;

[0060] Figure 17 is a structural schematic diagram of the steam supply mechanism;

[0061] Figure 18 is a structural schematic diagram of one kind of the hot water supply mechanism;

[0062] Figure 19 is a structural schematic diagram of another kind of the hot water supply mechanism;

[0063] Figure 20 is a structural schematic diagram of yet another kind of the hot water supply mechanism;

[0064] Figure 21 is a structural schematic diagram of still another kind of the hot water supply mechanism;

[0065] Figure 22 is a structural schematic diagram of one kind of the steam-water mixing component;

[0066] Figure 23 is a structural schematic diagram of another kind of the steam-water mixing component.

[0067] The description of the reference numerals is as follows:

[0068] 100 Thermal energy storage device, 110 housing, 111 inner container, 111a inner cavity, 111a-1 reserved space, 112 outer container, 112a heat insulation cavity, 113 heat insulation unit, 113a first heat insulation plate, 113b nano heat insulation material, 113c heat reflection layer, 113d inner heat insulation part, 113e outer heat insulation part, 113e-1 aerogel felt, 114 heat charging connection part, 115 heat release inlet connection part, 116 heat release outlet connection part, 117 signal connection part, 120 heat charging pipe, 121 first pipe part, 122 second pipe part, 122a flow inhibition structure, 130 heat storage material, 131 heat storage module, 131a inner layer part, 131b outer layer part, 131c interface, 140 heat release unit, 141 heat release module, 141a first heat release pipe, 141a-1 inner side wall part, 141a-2 outer side wall part, 141aa first pipe section, 141ab second pipe section, 141b second heat release pipe, 141c third heat exchange pipe, 142 heat release inlet pipe, 143 heat release outlet pipe, 144 connecting pipe, 150 electric heat charging mechanism, 151 electric heat charging rod, 151a optional resistor, 151b relay switch, 152 heat transfer sleeve, 153 connecting cable, 154 docking head;

[0069] 200 Heat charging device, 210 unstable energy power generation mechanism, 220 voltage regulating component, 221 field effect transistor, 222 diode, 223 inductor, 224 capacitor;

[0070] 300 Heat release device, 310 steam supply mechanism, 311 first water path, 311a first pump body, 311b second proportional valve, 311c fourth proportional valve, 312 first steam path, 312a bypass branch, 312a-1 sixth proportional valve, 312b seventh proportional valve, 320 second water path, 321 second pump body, 322 third proportional valve, 323 fifth proportional valve, 330 steam-water mixing component, 330a mixer, 330b steam inlet part, 330c water inlet part, 330d outlet part, 330e turbulence structure, 330f diffuser, 330g heat exchanger, 330h first outlet pipe, 330i second outlet pipe, 330j outlet main pipe, 340 connecting pipeline, 341 first proportional valve. Detailed implementation manners

[0071] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0072] In the embodiments of the present invention, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", "fifth", "sixth", and "seventh" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first", "second", "third", "fourth", "fifth", "sixth", or "seventh" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0073] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", and "coupled" should be construed in a broad sense. For example, "connected" may be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0074] The directional terms mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention, such as "inner" and "outer", etc., are only with reference to the directions of the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for better and clearer illustration and understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than indicating or implying that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, unless otherwise specified in the present invention, the term "plurality" as used herein means two or more; and when using "plurality" to express the quantities of different components, it does not indicate the quantitative relationship between these components.

[0075] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variation thereof is intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or device that comprises a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that comprises the element.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present invention, "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0077] Existing solid heat storage equipment uses magnesia bricks as the heat storage body and ceramic fiber blankets as the insulation layer. The insulation thickness is 300mm - 400mm. The thermal conductivity of the ceramic fiber blanket is 0.153W / (m·K) at a hot surface temperature of 500°C. After the 1MWh heat storage body is heated to 650°C, heat is released immediately for 8 - 10 hours. After the heat release period ends, the thermal efficiency can reach over 95%. If heat is released 6 hours after charging, the thermal efficiency will be greatly reduced. In addition, such equipment is mostly used in distributed central heating scenarios. It is large in volume, has a small shape factor, and the heat dissipation area accounts for a small proportion of the heat storage capacity. Therefore, existing high - thermal - conductivity insulation materials can be used to achieve an appropriate thermal efficiency. For miniaturized large - temperature - difference heat storage equipment, such as those with a volume less than 2m³, to achieve high thermal efficiency and high heat storage density, not only does the heat storage material need to have a high volume heat storage density, but the insulation layer also needs to have a sufficiently low thermal conductivity at a heat storage material temperature of 600°C. In this case, the insulation layer thickness needs to be controlled below 100mm, and the thermal conductivity in the thickness direction of the insulation material should be less than 20mW / (m·K). The parameters of existing insulation materials are shown in Table 1 below, and none of them can meet the requirements.

[0078] Table 1 Parameter Table of Existing Insulation Materials

[0079] Existing composite insulation solutions for large - temperature - difference heat storage equipment, when the room temperature is 28°C and the hot surface temperature is 600°C, when the insulation layer thickness is 60mm, the heat dissipation intensity is 151W / m 2 。

[0080] In the patent "Improved Thermal Store" (application number WO2022GB00084), the first part provides a heat storage device for an energy storage system, including: an inner container for accommodating heat storage materials; and an outer container surrounding the inner container, with the inner container and the outer container separated by a vacuum region extending therebetween. The heat storage device also includes a heat insulator disposed in the vacuum region. In this way, the vacuum level required to achieve the desired degree of thermal insulation can be reduced. The heat insulator in the vacuum region is of MLI structure, and each layer of the multi - layer heat insulator includes a reflective layer and a spacer layer. The spacing between the reflective layer and the spacer layer of each layer of the multi - layer insulation layer is between 1mm and 0.01mm. The vacuum degree is monitored by a sensor and the pressure or temperature parameter is fed back to control the vacuum pump. The heating method is resistance heating. The heat transfer fluid is water. Volcanic stone composite aluminum is used as the heat storage material, and energy is stored in the form of solid sensible heat. The inner and outer containers of the heat storage device are connected by a neck, and the neck needs to avoid stress concentration, minimize heat leakage as much as possible, and at the same time ensure strength. The heat storage device is also configured with a dispersion plate for restricting the movement of the inner container relative to the outer container during transportation.

[0081] The thermal storage also includes an internal support disposed within the vacuum region, the internal support being configured to engage the inner surface of the outer container and resist compression of the outer container. In this way, a vacuum-insulated container with a relatively thin outer container wall can have the ability to withstand the compressive force generated by the negative pressure within the container and / or resist external pressure / external shock.

[0082] The second part presents an energy storage system including the thermal storage of the first aspect.

[0083] The energy storage system specifically elaborated in the third part includes: a thermal energy storage; a main circuit (such as a steam circuit) including a first heat transfer fluid; an evaporator heat exchanger configured to receive thermal energy from the thermal energy storage and evaporate the first heat transfer fluid in liquid form to form an air stream; a condenser heat exchanger configured to condense the air stream received from the evaporator heat exchanger; and a secondary circuit (such as a non-steam circuit) including a second heat transfer fluid, the secondary circuit being configured to receive thermal energy from the primary circuit via the condenser heat exchanger stage and supply the received thermal energy to a heating system (such as a hot water / central heating system).

[0084] In the paper "Experimental Study on the Thermal Insulation Structure of an Aluminum-Silicon Alloy Phase Change Thermal Storage Device", a thermal insulation solution of a vacuum interlayer composite aerogel felt is proposed, where the side wall and the bottom surface are configured with a 10-mm-thick vacuum interlayer, the aerogel on the top surface is 130 mm thick, the aerogel on the side surface is 50 mm thick, and the aerogel on the bottom surface is 70 mm thick. When the hot surface temperature is 600 °C, the heat dissipation intensity of the thermal insulation outer container is 151 W.

[0085] Disadvantages of the prior art:

[0086] 1. The MLI vacuum insulation solution has a large pore size and a high vacuum degree requirement;

[0087] 2. The MLI vacuum insulation solution has a large number of layers (up to 200 layers for a 500 °C temperature difference), the construction is cumbersome, it cannot achieve a theoretical gap of 0.01 mm, it cannot obtain the theoretical thermal conductivity, the thickness of the insulation layer is too thick, and the volume energy storage density of the overall device is low;

[0088] 3. The inner and outer containers are suspended or supported by a neck tube, there is a thermal bridge, and the heat dissipation loss is large;

[0089] 4. To simultaneously meet the requirements of strength and weight reduction, the outer container requires a support, the structure is complex, and the cost is high;

[0090] 5. There also needs to be a non-insulating material area between the inner and outer containers, which increases the thickness of the insulation layer and the volume energy storage density is low;

[0091] 6. The existing LCI insulation solution has a high thermal conductivity, resulting in low thermal efficiency and low volume energy storage density.

[0092] The present invention proposes a vacuum insulation solution with multiple materials composite. When the room temperature is 25°C and the hot surface temperature is 600°C, the equivalent thermal conductivity in the thickness direction can be as low as 13 mW / (m·K). When the thickness of the insulation layer is 60 mm, the heat dissipation intensity is 117 W / m 2 . For a large temperature difference heat storage device applying this solution, when the shape is a cylinder with a diameter and height both equal to 850 mm, the insulation thickness is 100 mm, the heat storage capacity is 120 kWh, the shape factor is 7, and the heat storage material can still achieve a thermal efficiency of more than 95% after maintaining at 576°C for 24 hours and then releasing heat.

[0093] Please refer to Figures 1 - 5 , Figure 1 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the heat storage device provided by the present invention. The inner cavity is filled with heat storage material, Figure 2 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the heat storage device provided by the present invention. The heat storage material is omitted in the inner cavity, Figure 3 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the heat storage device provided by the present invention and is configured with an electric heating module, Figure 4 is a partial structural diagram of the heating pipe, Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an implementation manner of the heat insulation unit.

[0094] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a heat storage device 100, including a housing 110, a heating unit, a heat storage material 130, and a heat release unit 140. The heating unit includes a heating module, and the heating module includes a heating pipe 120.

[0095] The housing 110 is the external structure of the heat storage device 100, which basically determines the overall shape of the heat storage device 100. In some implementation manners, the appearance of the housing 110 can generally present as a cylindrical structure. In other implementation manners, the appearance of the housing 110 can also generally present as a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism or other shapes, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0096] The housing 110 also has an inner cavity 111a, and the inner cavity 111a is used to fill the heat storage material 130. The heat storage material 130 can absorb heat to achieve the storage of heat. The housing 110 is specifically a heat insulation housing for insulating the heat storage material 130, which can greatly reduce the heat loss, thereby reducing the heat loss of the heat storage device 100.

[0097] Here, the embodiment of the present invention does not limit the specific structural form of the housing 110. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can select according to specific needs as long as it can meet the usage requirements. For example, those skilled in the art can directly use a plate body with better heat insulation performance to prepare the housing 110.

[0098] In some alternative implementations, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the housing 110 may include an inner container 111, an outer container 112, and a heat insulation unit 113.

[0099] The inner container 111 may be disposed inside the outer container 112. Moreover, the inner chamber of the inner container 111 may serve as the aforementioned inner cavity 111a for filling the heat storage material 130.

[0100] The inner container 111 may be of a double-layer structure, including an inner shell part and an outer shell part connected to each other. In the embodiments of the present invention, the inner shell part is a contact part for directly contacting the heat storage material 130, and the outer shell part is a non-contact part that does not directly contact the heat storage material 130. Specifically, the inner shell part may be made of a titanium alloy material, and the outer shell part may be made of a stainless steel material. The titanium alloy material may have high corrosion resistance. Therefore, the inner shell part prepared from the titanium alloy material is not easily corroded and damaged when accommodating the heat storage material 130 and can have a longer service life. The stainless steel material may have high strength performance. Therefore, the outer shell part prepared from the stainless steel material can greatly improve the mechanical strength of the inner container 111; moreover, the cost of the stainless steel material is relatively low, which is also beneficial to cost reduction.

[0101] The above-mentioned inner shell part and outer shell part may be connected by an dissimilar metal vacuum brazing process, and the brazing filler metal may be a silver-based brazing filler metal, a titanium-based brazing filler metal, etc. Alternatively, the above-mentioned inner shell part and outer shell part may also be connected by a vacuum ion welding process. In short, a reliable connection is required between the inner shell part and the outer shell part.

[0102] It should be understood that the above description of the solution of setting the inner container 111 as a double-layer structure is only an exemplary illustration of the embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used as a limitation on the implementation scope of the heat storage device 100 provided by the present invention. Under the condition of meeting the functions, the inner container 111 may also adopt other structural forms. For example, in the above double-layer structure, the inner shell part and the outer shell part may also be prepared from different materials respectively; or, the inner container 111 may adopt a single-shell structure; or, the inner container 111 may also be prepared with three or more shell parts.

[0103] In some alternative implementations, a corrosion-resistant layer (not shown in the figure) may also be configured on the inner wall surface of the inner container 111 to improve the corrosion resistance of the inner container 111.

[0104] The corrosion-resistant layer described above can be an electroplated layer. For example, an electroplated layer formed with materials such as chromium and nickel as surface-enhancing materials. Or, the corrosion-resistant layer described above can also be a structural ceramic layer or a structural ceramic hybrid graphite layer. The structural ceramic can be, for example, boron nitride or silicon nitride, etc., and it can be formed by spraying processes, etc. These structural ceramics can react with themselves at a certain temperature to generate a dense protective layer to improve the corrosion resistance of the inner container 111. At the same time, these structural ceramics can also react with metal materials in a relatively short time to form a metal complex layer, so as to have better adhesion, thereby being able to largely avoid falling off, which is of positive significance for ensuring the corrosion resistance of the corrosion-resistant layer. Or, the corrosion-resistant layer described above can also be a carbon steel aluminized layer. In this way, it can also provide relatively good corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, high-temperature stability and mechanical properties. Or, the corrosion-resistant layer described above can also be a titanium alloy.

[0105] In fact, the corrosion-resistant layer described above can also be multi-layered. For example, it can be two layers. The two layers can be the electroplated layer and the structural ceramic layer described above respectively. The electroplated layer can be used as the inner layer to be directly connected to the inner wall surface of the inner container 111, while the structural ceramic layer can be coated on the electroplated layer. In this way, the corrosion resistance of the inner container 111 can be improved to a greater extent.

[0106] In specific applications, the double-layer structure of the corrosion-resistant layer and the inner container 111 can be set alternatively.

[0107] The outer container 112 can be located outside the inner container 111, and its material is not limited here. For example, it can be made of stainless steel material, etc. An insulating cavity 112a can be formed between the outer container 112 and the inner container 111. The insulating cavity 112a can serve as an intermediate sandwich, and the aforementioned insulating unit 113 can be arranged in the insulating cavity 112a to improve the heat insulation performance of the housing 110.

[0108] In one implementation manner of the embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate sandwich is in a vacuum state. The insulating unit 113 can specifically include a nano-insulating material 113b, and the insulating cavity 112a can be in a vacuum state. The nano-insulating material 113b uses a material with low solid conductivity and filled with very small pore spaces / vacancy spaces. The size of these pore spaces / vacancy spaces is much smaller than the mean free path of atoms / molecules, so as to artificially limit the movable distance of atoms / molecules to obtain relatively good heat insulation performance. In the embodiment of the present invention, the nano-insulating material 113b can also be referred to as a nano-insulating material layer.

[0109] The above-mentioned nano thermal insulation material 113b may include a core material and a packaging part, and the core material may be encapsulated in the packaging part. The types of the core material and the packaging part can be diverse. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can determine them according to specific needs, etc. For example, the core material may include fumed silica particles, a light-shielding agent, reinforcing fibers, etc. The components in the core material can be mixed in a set ratio and then compacted; the packaging part can be a glass fiber cloth, etc.

[0110] In the embodiment of the present invention, the pore space of fumed silica is very small, and the average pore diameter of its pore space is between 0.001 mm and 0.05 mm. Only under a relatively low vacuum condition can high thermal insulation performance be ensured. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum pressure (preset vacuum pressure) in the intermediate sandwich layer can be between 10 mbar and 200 mbar. In traditional solutions, such as common multi-layer insulation materials (MLI), their vacuum pressure is 10,000 times lower than that of the above-mentioned fumed silica. Another example is that the size of the pore space of common perlite is generally between 0.02 mm and 0.1 mm, which is about 20 times larger than that of fumed silica. Therefore, it requires a better vacuum degree, usually lower than 0.05 mbar.

[0111] By comparison, it can be seen that the requirement for the vacuum degree of the nano thermal insulation material 113b used in the embodiment of the present invention can be significantly reduced, which can reduce the usage conditions of the thermal energy storage device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention, and the cost can be relatively low. Correspondingly, under the condition of the same vacuum degree, the nano thermal insulation material 113b in the embodiment of the present invention can achieve a lower thermal conductivity; in a specific example, the thermal conductivity of the nano thermal insulation material 113b in the embodiment of the present invention can reach 0.013 W / (m·K) at 600 °C, which can provide better heat preservation and insulation performance. Correspondingly, under the condition of the same insulation performance, the overall thickness of the housing 110 can be made thinner. When the external dimensions of the housing 110 remain unchanged, the size of the inner cavity 111a of the housing 110 can be increased, so that there is more space available for arranging the heat storage material 130, thereby being able to better improve the energy storage density of the thermal energy storage device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] In the embodiment of the present invention, the nano thermal insulation material 113b is usually prepared in the form of a thermal insulation board for use. For example, the nano thermal insulation material 113b can be configured as a flat first thermal insulation board 113a.

[0113] Such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the first heat insulation plate 113a can be located on the upper side and the lower side of the inner container 111, that is, the top surface and the bottom surface of the inner container 111, which can improve the heat insulation performance on the upper side and the lower side of the housing 110; at the same time, the first heat insulation plate 113a can also be used to support the inner container 111, so as to realize the installation and positioning of the inner container 111 in the outer container 112. In this implementation manner, there is no need to provide structural connection members such as hanging connection members between the inner container 111 and the outer container 112, and it is not easy to form a heat bridge between the inner container 111 and the outer container 112, which can effectively reduce heat leakage, and this is more beneficial to improving the heat insulation performance of the housing 110.

[0114] The pressure resistance strength of the above-mentioned first heat insulation plate 113a can be greater than 0.3 MPa to have higher support performance, so as to better realize the support for the components (such as the inner container 111, etc.) in the outer container 112.

[0115] Here, the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the number, size, etc. of the first heat insulation plate 113a. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can determine according to specific needs as long as the requirements of use can be met. In fact, the number of the first heat insulation plates 113a used is related to parameters such as the size of the heat insulation cavity 112a and the thickness of the first heat insulation plate 113a. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the implementation manner, two layers of the first heat insulation plates 113a are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the inner container 111.

[0116] The nano heat insulation material 113b can also be configured as a second heat insulation plate that can be curled. The second heat insulation plate can be curled into a cylindrical shape and then arranged on the outer peripheral side of the inner container 111 to realize the heat insulation performance on the outer peripheral side of the housing 110.

[0117] It should be known that the radiation energy emitted by a black body per unit time is proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature. Therefore, when there is a large temperature difference between two surfaces, the radiation heat transfer will be more significant. In order to suppress the above-mentioned radiation heat transfer, in the embodiments of the present invention, a light-shielding agent is added to the core material of the nano heat insulation material 113b, which can reduce the emissivity, thereby reducing the above-mentioned radiation heat transfer phenomenon and improving the heat insulation performance.

[0118] In the embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned nano thermal insulation material 113b can be configured in multiple layers both on the upper and lower sides of the inner container 111 and on the outer peripheral side of the inner container 111. Each layer of the nano thermal insulation material 113b can be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat charging pipe 120, and a heat reflection layer 113c can be arranged between two adjacent layers of the nano thermal insulation material 113b. The heat reflection layer 113c can specifically be aluminum foil or the like. The arrangement of the heat reflection layer 113c can reduce the absorption of radiant heat and increase reflection, thereby reducing the phenomenon of radiative heat transfer. Through research and testing, when the number of layers of the heat reflection layer 113c reaches 9 layers, the radiative heat transfer will decrease by approximately 90%.

[0119] Based on the excellent heat preservation and insulation performance in the embodiments of the present invention, when the thermal energy storage device provided by the embodiments of the present invention is in use, even if the heat storage material 130 maintains a high temperature for a long time and then releases heat, it can still maintain a high thermal efficiency, which has a positive significance for improving the power density and energy storage density of the thermal energy storage device.

[0120] A vacuum degree detection component can also be arranged in the heat insulation cavity 112a, such as a thermal conductivity vacuum gauge, a Pirani vacuum gauge, a capacitance diaphragm vacuum gauge, an ionization vacuum gauge, a pressure gauge, etc., for detecting the vacuum degree in the heat insulation cavity 112a. Taking the pressure gauge as an example, it can detect the pressure in the heat insulation cavity 112a and use this pressure as a parameter reflecting the vacuum degree.

[0121] Combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the outer container 112 can be configured with a signal connection part 117. The signal connection part 117 can be connected to the above-mentioned vacuum degree detection component and can also be connected to an external vacuum pump. Through the detection of the vacuum degree by the vacuum degree detection component, the start and stop control of the vacuum pump can be conveniently realized. The outer container 112 can also be provided with a vacuum pumping hole, and the vacuum pump can be connected to this vacuum pumping hole for vacuum pumping. This vacuum pumping hole can also be integrated into the above-mentioned signal connection part 117, so that the integration degree of the device can be higher; of course, this vacuum pumping hole and the above-mentioned signal connection part 117 can be independent of each other.

[0122] The signal connection part 117 can specifically be a sintered glass vacuum joint, an aviation plug, etc., for connecting and disassembling with the vacuum detection component, an external vacuum pump, etc. The signal connection part 117 can specifically be connected to the outer container 112 by welding or the like to avoid affecting the vacuum degree in the heat insulation cavity 112a.

[0123] In addition to the above-mentioned pressure detection, sensors for measuring the temperature at one or more positions in the thermal energy storage device can also be configured, and this temperature also has reference significance for the start and stop control of the vacuum pump.

[0124] In some other implementation manners of the embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 5 shown, the heat insulation unit 113 may further include an inner heat insulation part 113d and an outer heat insulation part 113e.

[0125] The inner heat insulation part 113d may be closer to the inner container 111 than the outer heat insulation part 113e. The materials of the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e may be different. In this way, it is convenient to adjust the materials of the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e according to needs, and the heat insulation function of the heat insulation unit 113 in the embodiments of the present invention can be better satisfied.

[0126] In the heat insulation cavity 112a, the temperature of the space where the inner heat insulation part 113d is located is relatively higher than the temperature of the space where the outer heat insulation part 113e is located. Based on this, in the specific application of the embodiments of the present invention, a material with relatively good heat insulation performance can be selected for the inner heat insulation part 113d in a space with a relatively high temperature, while a material with relatively good heat insulation performance can be selected for the outer heat insulation part 113e in a space with a relatively low temperature.

[0127] Through the research of the applicant, it is found that the thermal conductivity coefficients of different heat insulation materials are different, increase with the increase of temperature, and the change rates are also different. This is mainly because different heat insulation materials achieve their heat insulation performance through different component and structural characteristics. However, for specific composition and structural characteristics, heat insulation materials with extremely low thermal conductivity coefficients often only have absolute advantages in specific temperature ranges. For example, the thermal conductivity coefficient of aerogel felt can be as low as 0.016 W / (m·K) at 25 degrees, but will be as high as 0.035 W / (m·K) at 300 degrees and further increase to 0.06 W / (m·K) at 600 degrees; however, due to its denser filling structure and a higher proportion of light-shielding agents added, the thermal conductivity coefficient of nano heat insulation materials can still be kept below 0.03 W / (m·K) at 600 degrees. Therefore, the heat insulation performance of nano heat insulation materials has an absolute advantage in the high-temperature region.

[0128] Based on this, in the embodiments of the present invention, the inner heat insulation part 113d may include at least one layer of nano heat insulation material layer 113b to ensure the heat insulation performance of the inner heat insulation part 113d. When the number of layers of the nano heat insulation material layer 113b is greater than 1, a heat reflection layer 113c may be arranged between adjacent two layers of the nano heat insulation material layer 113b. The heat reflection layer 113c may specifically be aluminum foil, etc. The heat reflection layer 113c can reduce the radiative heat transfer in the inner heat insulation part 113d, thereby being able to improve the heat insulation performance of the inner heat insulation part 113d to a greater extent.

[0129] The outer heat insulation part 113e may include at least one layer of aerogel felt layer 113e-1 to fully exert the heat insulation performance of the aerogel felt layer 113e-1 in a space with a relatively low temperature. At the same time, the cost can also be effectively controlled. When the number of layers of the aerogel felt layer 113e-1 is greater than 1, a heat reflection layer 113c may also be arranged between two adjacent aerogel felt layers 113e-1. The heat reflection layer 113c may specifically be aluminum foil or the like. The heat reflection layer 113c can reduce the radiative heat transfer in the inner heat insulation part 113d, thereby being able to enhance the heat insulation performance of the inner heat insulation part 113d to a greater extent.

[0130] The temperature at the separation between the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e may be between 200 degrees and 350 degrees. The thickness of the nano heat insulation material layer 113b in the inner heat insulation part 113d may be between 5 mm and 20 mm. The thickness of the aerogel felt layer 113e-1 in the outer heat insulation part 113e may be between 3 mm and 10 mm. The thickness of the aluminum foil may be between 0.02 mm and 0.1 mm.

[0131] To better verify the improvement of the heat insulation performance by the settings of the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e in the embodiments of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention also passed the following several groups of experiments for testing.

[0132] Experiment 1: The total thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 is 43 mm. The specific structure is as follows: The inner heat insulation part 113d includes 3 layers of a combined structure of a nano heat insulation material layer 113b (thickness 5 mm) + aluminum foil (thickness 0.02 mm); the outer heat insulation part 113e includes 6 layers of a combined structure of an aerogel felt layer (thickness 3 mm) + aluminum foil (thickness 0.02 mm), and 1 layer of a combined structure of an aerogel felt layer (thickness 10 mm) + aluminum foil (thickness 0.02 mm). The surface of the inner heat insulation part 113d in contact with the inner container 111 is the hot surface, and the surface of the outer heat insulation part 113e in contact with the outer container 112 is the cold surface. The temperature of the hot surface is 562 degrees, and the temperature difference between the hot surface and the cold surface is 17.5 degrees. The temperature at the separation between the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e is 350 degrees. At this time, the average thermal conductivity of the above heat insulation unit 113 is 0.016 W / (m·K).

[0133] Experiment 2: The total thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 is 49 mm. The specific structure is as follows: The inner heat insulation part 113d includes 6 layers of a combined structure of a nano heat insulation material layer 113b (with a thickness of 5 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm); the outer heat insulation part 113e includes 3 layers of a combined structure of an aerogel felt layer (with a thickness of 3 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm), and 1 layer of a combined structure of an aerogel felt layer 113e (with a thickness of 10 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm). The temperature of the hot surface is 562 degrees, and the temperature difference between the hot surface and the cold surface is 18.7 degrees. The temperature at the separation between the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e is 220 degrees. At this time, the average thermal conductivity of the above heat insulation unit 113 is 0.020 W / (m·K).

[0134] Experiment 3: The total thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 is 53 mm. The specific structure is as follows: The inner heat insulation part 113d includes 1 layer of a combined structure of a nano heat insulation material layer 113b (with a thickness of 20 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm), and 1 layer of a combined structure of a nano heat insulation material layer 113b (with a thickness of 15 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm); the outer heat insulation part 113e includes 1 layer of a combined structure of an aerogel felt layer 113e (with a thickness of 3 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm), 1 layer of a combined structure of an aerogel felt layer 113e (with a thickness of 3 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm), and 1 layer of a combined structure of an aerogel felt layer 113e (with a thickness of 10 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm). The temperature of the hot surface is 562 degrees, and the temperature difference between the hot surface and the cold surface is 15.3 degrees. The temperature at the separation between the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e is 232 degrees. At this time, the average thermal conductivity of the above heat insulation unit 113 is 0.017 W / (m·K).

[0135] Experiment 4: The inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e in the embodiment of the present invention are not adopted. The total thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 is 60 mm. The specific structure is as follows: 1 layer of a combined structure of a nano heat insulation material layer 113b (with a thickness of 40 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm), and 1 layer of a combined structure of a nano heat insulation material layer 113b (with a thickness of 20 mm) + aluminum foil (with a thickness of 0.02 mm). The temperature of the hot surface is 562 degrees, and the temperature difference between the hot surface and the cold surface is 16.8 degrees. At this time, the average thermal conductivity of the above heat insulation unit 113 is 0.022 W / (m·K).

[0136] Experiment 5: The inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e in the embodiment of the present invention are not adopted. The total thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 is 70 mm. The specific structure is: a combined structure of 7 layers of aerogel felt layer (thickness 10 mm) + aluminum foil (thickness 0.02 mm). The temperature of the hot surface is 562 degrees, and the temperature difference between the hot surface and the cold surface is 14.3 degrees. At this time, the average thermal conductivity of the above heat insulation unit 113 is 0.022 W / (m·K).

[0137] As described above, in the test carried out by the embodiment of the present invention with the hot surface temperature of 562 degrees and the temperature difference between the hot surface and the cold surface < 20 degrees as the standard, when the scheme of the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e is adopted, the thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 can be as low as 43 mm (Experiment 1), and the average thermal conductivity can be as low as 0.016 W / (m·K). Compared with the heat insulation unit 113 in Experiment 4 with a single nano heat insulation material layer, the thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 can be reduced by about 30%, and compared with the heat insulation unit 113 in Experiment 5 with a single aerogel felt layer, the thickness of the heat insulation unit 113 can be reduced by about 40%. Therefore, the heat insulation unit 113 adopting the inner heat insulation part 113d and the outer heat insulation part 113e in the embodiment of the present invention can have better heat insulation performance and can better meet the application requirements of household miniaturization.

[0138] In this implementation manner, the intermediate interlayer can not be evacuated, that is, the intermediate interlayer can be in a non-vacuum state. The setting of the heat insulation unit 113 can be simpler and the cost can be lower.

[0139] In some optional implementation manners, the heat storage material 130 in the embodiment of the present invention can be an aluminum-silicon alloy material.

[0140] The aluminum-silicon alloy material is configured to be able to undergo a phase change during the heat charging and heat discharging processes. In this way, the heat storage material 130 can store heat by using the latent heat of phase change and the sensible heat at high temperature at the same time, and can have a higher energy density. And, compared with electrochemical energy storage, the heat storage device 100 using the aluminum-silicon alloy material as the heat storage material 130 has a lower cost, is safer, has a long service life, the used materials are easier to recycle, and is more beneficial to environmental protection. At the same time, due to the relatively good thermal conductivity of the aluminum-silicon alloy material, during heat discharging, it can have a higher heat discharging rate, and at the same time, it can have a lower heat discharging cut-off temperature, so that the heat stored in the heat storage device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be more thoroughly utilized, and the energy utilization rate can be higher.

[0141] The preparation method of the aluminum-silicon alloy material can be diverse and is not limited herein. In some implementation manners, the aluminum-silicon alloy material can be prepared from electrolytic aluminum and silicon, or can also be prepared from waste aluminum and silicon. Its main components are aluminum and silicon, and the content of effective silicon is 10%-15%. Among them, the electrolytic aluminum can be electrolytic pure aluminum or electrolytic aluminum-silicon-iron. The iron content of the electrolytic aluminum-silicon-iron is 0.05%-3%, and the balance is aluminum. The total content of other elements is less than 0.2%. When using waste aluminum for configuration, other conventional elements in the waste aluminum that are less than 5% can be regarded as impurities and not counted. The total impurity content is not higher than 10%, and the rest is aluminum.

[0142] After the heat storage material 130 is added, a reserved space 111a-1 can be configured above the heat storage material 130 in the inner cavity 111a.

[0143] The above-mentioned reserved space 111a-1 can be used as an expansion gap, which can adapt to the volume expansion of the heat storage material 130 during the heating and melting processes, thereby reducing the acting force of the heat storage material 130 on the inner container 111, and can largely avoid the situation that the inner container 111 is squeezed and broken due to factors such as the volume expansion of the heat storage material 130.

[0144] It should be understood that the description of setting the heat storage material 130 as the aluminum-silicon alloy material above is only an exemplary illustration of the embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used as a limitation on the implementation scope of the heat storage device 100 provided by the present invention. Under the condition of meeting the functions, other types can also be adopted for the heat storage material 130. For example, the heat storage material 130 can be volcanic stone composite aluminum, and the volcanic stone composite aluminum can store heat by the way of solid sensible heat. Another example is that the heat storage material 130 can also adopt other phase change heat storage materials such as hydrated salts, molten salts, paraffins, etc.

[0145] The heat charging pipe 120 can be inserted into the housing 110 and can be at least partially located in the inner cavity 111a to directly contact the heat storage material 130, so that heat can be directly transferred into the heat storage material 130 for storage.

[0146] The wall surface of the heat charging pipe 120 in contact with the heat storage material 130 may also be configured with the aforementioned corrosion-resistant layer. Alternatively, the heat charging pipe 120 may be configured as a double-layer structure, including a heat charging outer pipe portion and a heat charging inner pipe portion. The heat charging outer pipe portion is the contact portion for directly contacting the heat storage material 130, while the heat charging inner pipe portion is the non-contact portion. The heat charging outer pipe portion may be made of titanium alloy to enhance the corrosion resistance, and the heat charging inner pipe portion may be made of stainless steel to reduce the cost. Moreover, since the materials of the heat charging outer pipe portion and the inner shell portion of the inner container are the same, when welding the two using a welding process, it is more conducive to ensuring the reliability of the welding and enhancing the connection strength between the heat charging pipe 120 and the inner container 111.

[0147] In some alternative implementation manners, as Figure 1 shown, the heat charging pipe 120 may include a first pipe portion 121 and a second pipe portion 122. Among them, the first pipe portion 121 may be a transition pipe portion, and the first pipe portion 121 may be inserted into the aforementioned first heat insulation plate 113a; the second pipe portion 122 may be a working pipe portion, and the second pipe portion 122 may be inserted into the aforementioned inner cavity 111a and may be further inserted into the heat storage material 130 to directly transfer heat into the heat storage material 130. The first pipe portion 121 and the second pipe portion 122 may be an integrally formed one-piece structure. Alternatively, the first pipe portion 121 and the second pipe portion 122 may be manufactured separately and then docked; in this implementation manner, it may also be considered that the heat charging pipe 120 only includes the second pipe portion 122.

[0148] The outer container 112 may also be configured with a heat charging connection portion 114 for connection with a heat charging device. The heat charging connection portion 114 may specifically be an interface pipe with a flange, and it may also be connected to the outer container 112 using a process such as welding to ensure the sealing performance.

[0149] The number of the heat charging pipes 120 may be multiple or one, which may be specifically determined according to actual needs; it should be clear that when the number of the heat charging pipes 120 is multiple, the number of the heat charging connection portions 114 may also be multiple, and each heat charging connection portion 114 may be provided in one-to-one correspondence with each heat charging pipe 120. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the implementation manner, the number of both the heat charging pipes 120 and the heat charging connection portions 114 may be only one.

[0150] Here, the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the energy source of the thermal energy storage device 100 either. In practical applications, those skilled in the art may determine it according to specific needs.

[0151] In some implementation manners, the energy source of the thermal energy storage device 100 in the embodiments of the present invention may be electric energy.

[0152] As Figure 3 shown, in this implementation manner, the heat charging module of the thermal energy storage device 100 provided by the present invention may further include an electric heat charging mechanism 150. The electric heat charging mechanism 150 may include an electric heat charging rod 151. The electric heat charging rod 151 is equivalent to a resistor, and it can be connected to an external power supply mechanism through a connection cable 153. The electric heat charging rod 151 can be inserted into the heat charging pipe 120. In this way, after the electric heat charging mechanism 150 is started, the electric heat charging rod 151 can generate heat, and this heat can be transferred to the heat storage material 130 through the second pipe portion 122 of the heat charging pipe 120 for storage.

[0153] In a specific example, the electric heat charging rod 151 and the inner wall surface of the heat charging pipe 120 may be in contact. In this way, the gap between the electric heat charging rod 151 and the heat charging pipe 120 is relatively small, and the heat transfer efficiency between the electric heat charging rod 151 and the heat charging pipe 120 can be relatively high.

[0154] In practical applications, it may be that the outer diameter of the electric heat charging rod 151 and the inner diameter of the heat charging pipe 120 are set to be basically the same. In this way, after the electric heat charging rod 151 is inserted into the heat charging pipe 120, the outer wall surface of the electric heat charging rod 151 can be more closely attached to the inner wall surface of the heat charging pipe 120. Or, it may also be that a protrusion is provided on the outer wall surface of the electric heat charging rod 151 or the inner wall surface of the heat charging pipe 120 to achieve close contact between the electric heat charging rod 151 and the heat charging pipe 120 through this protrusion. The protrusion can be in various forms such as a dot-like protrusion, a block-like protrusion, a strip-like protrusion, etc., and is not limited herein.

[0155] In another specific example, as Figure 3 shown, the electric heat charging mechanism 150 may further include a heat transfer sleeve 152. The heat transfer sleeve 152 can be sleeved outside the electric heat charging rod 151. The outer wall surface of the electric heat charging rod 151 can be in contact with the inner wall surface of the heat transfer sleeve 152, and the outer wall surface of the heat transfer sleeve 152 can be in contact with the inner wall surface of the heat charging pipe 120. At this time, the heat transfer sleeve 152 is equivalent to a transition connection component, which can effectively eliminate the gap between the electric heat charging rod 151 and the heat charging pipe 120, and further improve the heat transfer efficiency between the electric heat charging rod 151 and the heat charging pipe 120.

[0156] In practical applications, it may be by controlling the inner diameter and outer diameter of the heat transfer sleeve 152 to ensure close contact between the heat transfer sleeve 152 and the heat charging pipe 120 and the electric heat charging rod 151. Or, it may also be that a protrusion as described above is provided on one of the inner wall surface of the heat transfer sleeve 152 and the outer wall surface of the electric heat charging rod 151, and on one of the outer wall surface of the heat transfer sleeve 152 and the inner wall surface of the heat charging pipe 120, to ensure close contact between the heat transfer sleeve 152 and the heat charging pipe 120 and the electric heat charging rod 151 through this protrusion.

[0157] The thickness of the heat transfer sleeve 152 can be determined according to actual needs, for example, it can be between 5 mm and 20 mm.

[0158] The above-mentioned heat transfer sleeve 152 can be made of metal materials. For example, aluminum, copper, iron, etc., to ensure a relatively high thermal conductivity.

[0159] Alternatively, the above-mentioned heat transfer sleeve 152 can also be made of other non-metal materials, as long as it can ensure high thermal conductivity. For example, the above-mentioned heat transfer sleeve 152 can be made of graphite material. Graphite material has high thermal conductivity, and at the same time, it also has many advantages such as light weight and high stability. It can maintain its performance stable in different temperature and humidity environments, and has strong corrosion resistance and is not easy to be damaged. Another example is that the above-mentioned heat transfer sleeve 152 can also be made of carbide ceramics, such as silicon carbide, boron nitride, boron carbide, etc.; taking silicon carbide as an example, it has characteristics such as high hardness, high wear resistance, high thermal conductivity and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Correspondingly, the heat transfer sleeve 152 made of silicon carbide material can have relatively better performance.

[0160] In addition, the electric heat charging mechanism 150 includes a planar structure electric heating component. The planar structure electric heating component is configured to be able to be bent, and the planar structure electric heating component is configured to be able to be arranged on the outer side wall and / or the outer bottom surface of the inner container 111. At this time, the heat charging pipe 120 can also be omitted, so that there can be more space in the inner container 111 to fill the heat storage material 130, which can improve the heat storage capacity and heat storage density of the heat storage device 100, and this is also feasible.

[0161] Still as Figure 3 shown, the electric heat charging mechanism 150 can include a docking head 154. The docking head 154 can be connected to the heat charging connection part 114, and the connection cable 153 can be specifically installed on the docking head 154. The docking head 154 can also adopt a sintered glass vacuum joint, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement, and at the same time, it can also better ensure the internal vacuum of the heat insulation cavity 112a.

[0162] In this implementation manner, the source of electric energy can specifically be a power generation mechanism such as a coal-fired power generation mechanism, a photovoltaic power generation mechanism, a wind power generation mechanism, etc., or it can also be the power grid. For specific details, reference can be made to the description of the heat storage system in the following text.

[0163] In some other implementation manners, the energy source of the heat storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present invention can be light energy.

[0164] In this implementation, the heat charging module of the thermal energy storage device 100 may also include a light heat charging mechanism (not shown in the figure), which may include at least a light transmission component, such as a light-guiding optical fiber, etc. The light transmission component is configured to transmit light to the heat charging tube 120, so as to directly heat the heat charging tube 120 with light energy, and then the heat charging tube 120 transfers the heat energy to the heat storage material 130 for storage.

[0165] Such a setting can realize the direct conversion of light energy into thermal energy. Compared with the implementation method of using a photovoltaic power generation mechanism as a power supply mechanism and then generating thermal energy through electrical energy (the energy conversion efficiency is usually only about 20%), this implementation method can omit the photovoltaic power generation process, reduce the energy conversion process, achieve a higher light-to-heat conversion rate, and greatly improve the utilization rate of light energy.

[0166] When the light heating mechanism is used, the inner hole of the heat charging tube 120 can be a hole of uniform cross section. Alternatively, the inner hole of the heat charging tube 120 can also be a tapered hole in the direction away from the light transmission component, so that the light energy can be received more evenly, and the uniformity of the temperature of the heating surface of the heat charging tube 120 can be improved. Alternatively, at least a partial hole section of the inner hole of the heat charging tube 120 can also be provided with an internal thread or a slot to achieve a fixed connection.

[0167] Furthermore, the optical heating mechanism may further include a light guide component. The light delivery component may be connected to the light guide component, which may be, for example, a quartz tube, etc. The light guide component is configured to guide the light delivered by the light delivery component to the inner wall surface of the heating tube 120 .

[0168] Specifically, the light-guiding component can scatter light to the inner wall of the heat-charging tube 120. In this way, more areas on the inner wall of the heat-charging tube 120 can receive light, and the situation where a local area on the inner wall of the heat-charging tube 120 is irradiated with concentrated light and the situation where the local temperature of the heat-charging tube 120 is too high due to the concentrated light can be reduced. The stability of the light-charging process can be improved, and the energy of infrared radiation emitted from the heat-charging connection part 114 can be reduced, so as to improve the utilization efficiency of light energy.

[0169] A sealing component may also be provided in the thermal connection portion 114 to reduce light escape. The sealing component may be a light-transmitting material, such as a semi-transmitting film, which may have high light transmittance under visible light and short-wavelength infrared (e.g., <3000nm) conditions, but has high reflectivity under long-wavelength conditions, which can reduce the energy of infrared radiation emitted from the thermal connection portion 114 to the outside to a greater extent, and can improve the light energy utilization efficiency to a greater extent.

[0170] In practical applications, the aforementioned electric heat charging mechanism 150 and the optical heat charging mechanism can coexist. At this time, the heat storage device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention can have multiple heat charging tubes 120, so as to heat the heat storage material 130 in different parts and by different heat charging methods, which is beneficial to improving the heat charging efficiency.

[0171] During the heat charging process, the heat storage material 130 close to the heat charging tube 120 will melt preferentially. After this part of the heat storage material 130 melts, due to the effect of natural convection, obvious temperature differences will occur between the top and bottom of the heat storage material 130, which is likely to cause the temperature of the liquid heat storage material 130 at the top to be too high, forming a local high-temperature area.

[0172] In response to this, as Figure 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, a flow inhibition structure 122a can be configured on the outer wall surface of the heat charging tube 120. The flow inhibition structure 122a can effectively inhibit the natural convection speed of the liquid heat storage material 130, so that the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the heat storage material 130 can be reduced, and the temperature uniformity of each area of the heat storage material 130 can be improved to reduce the generation of local high-temperature areas.

[0173] The flow inhibition structure 122a can specifically be an annular plate, and its number can be one or multiple. Specifically, it can be determined in combination with actual usage requirements, etc. Specifically in Figure 4 it, the number of annular plates can be two, and the two annular plates can be arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the heat charging tube 120.

[0174] The annular plate can be a horizontal plate. Alternatively, the annular plate can also be an inclined plate that slopes upward or downward; in some implementation manners, the inclined plate can also be referred to as a conical tube plate. The orientation descriptions of "up" and "down" here are based on the Figure 4 orientation and positional relationship in

[0175] Please refer to Figures 6 - 13 for Figure 6 the distribution diagram of a realization manner of the heat release unit in the heat storage material; Figure 7 for the boiling heat transfer curve graph; Figure 8 for the structural schematic diagram of a realization manner of the first heat release tube; Figure 9 for the structural schematic diagram of another realization manner of the first heat release tube; Figure 10 for the distribution diagram of another realization manner of the heat release unit in the heat storage material; Figure 11 for the distribution diagram of yet another realization manner of the heat release unit in the heat storage material; Figure 12 for the structural schematic diagram of the heat release tube in the inner container; Figure 13 for the structural schematic diagram of the third heat release tube in the heat storage material.

[0176] As shown Figure 6 in the figure, the heat storage material 130 is at least located on the outer peripheral side of the heat charging pipe 120. The heat storage material 130 includes a heat storage module 131. The heat storage module 131 includes an inner layer portion 131a and an outer layer portion 131b. The inner layer portion 131a is located inside the outer layer portion 131b. The inner layer portion 131a is closer to the heat charging pipe 120 than the outer layer portion 131b. Both the inner layer portion 131a and the outer layer portion 131b extend along the axial direction of the heat charging pipe 120. The heat storage module 131 has a cylindrical interface 131c between the inner layer portion 131a and the outer layer portion 131b. This interface 131c is not the surface of a solid component, but a virtual surface created in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly indicate the ranges of the inner layer portion 131a and the outer layer portion 131b. The inner layer portion 131a and the outer layer portion 131b are still connected at this interface 131c and will not be separated. Additionally, this interface 131c can be a circular cylinder, or it can also be a triangular cylinder, a square cylinder, or a cylindrical structure with other cross-sectional shapes, which is not limited herein.

[0177] The heat release unit 140 includes a heat release module 141. When the number of heat storage modules 131 is one, the number of heat release modules 141 can also be one, and this one heat release module 141 can be arranged in this heat storage module 131.

[0178] When it is necessary to use the heat stored in the heat storage device 100, a heat exchange medium can be introduced into the heat release module 141. When the heat exchange medium flows through the heat release module 141, it can carry away the heat stored in the heat storage material 130. Specifically, the above heat exchange medium can be water. After flowing through the heat release module 141, the water can boil to form steam, so as to convey the steam to the outside. Taking the heat storage material 130 as an aluminum-silicon alloy material as an example, during the heat release process, the temperature of the heat storage material 130 can drop from above 560 °C to below 200 °C. Under different temperature conditions, the heat exchange state and the heat exchange amount of the heat release module 141 will change. If not controlled, it will affect the stability of the heat release process of the heat storage device 100 provided in the embodiments of the present invention and affect its use.

[0179] In response to this, in the embodiments of the present invention, the heat release module 141 includes at least one first heat release pipe 141a, and the first heat release pipe 141a is arranged along the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the interface 131c; the pipe wall of the first heat release pipe 141a can be separated by the interface 131c, so that the pipe wall of the first heat release pipe 141a is separated into an inner side wall portion 141a-1 and an outer side wall portion 141a-2 in its circumferential direction. The inner side wall portion 141a-1 is located in the inner layer portion 131a, and the outer side wall portion 141a-2 is located in the outer layer portion 131b.

[0180] AsFigure 7 As shown, under the condition of boiling heat transfer, as the wall temperature increases, the boiling in the first heat release tube 141a will gradually go through the nucleate boiling stage, the transition boiling stage, and the film boiling stage. In the nucleate boiling stage, the heat transfer rate increases with the increase of the wall temperature. However, in the transition boiling stage, as the wall temperature increases, the heat transfer rate decreases instead.

[0181] Specifically in the embodiment of the present invention, since the first heat release tube 141a is distributed along the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the interface 131c, the first heat release tube 141a can form an obvious "heat insulation zone" along the interface 131c, so that during the heat release process, the temperature of the inner layer 131a will be lower than the temperature of the outer layer 131b. Based on this, in the embodiment of the present invention, the tube wall of the first heat release tube 141a is also divided into an inner side wall portion 141a-1 and an outer side wall portion 141a-2 in its circumferential direction, and the inner side wall portion 141a-1 is located in the inner layer 131a with a relatively low temperature, while the outer side wall portion 141a-2 is located in the outer layer 131b with a relatively high temperature. In this way, during the process of the temperature of the heat storage material 130 continuously decreasing, the inner side wall portion 141a-1 can be in the nucleate boiling stage, the outer side wall portion 141a-2 can be in the transition boiling range, the heat transfer rate of the inner side wall portion 141a-1 decreases with the continuous decrease of the temperature, and the heat transfer rate of the outer side wall portion 141a-2 can increase with the continuous decrease of the temperature. The two offset each other, and the stability of the total heat transfer amount can be better realized, which is beneficial to the use of the thermal energy storage device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention as a stable heat source.

[0182] Here, the embodiment of the present invention does not limit the specific structural form and arrangement mode of the first heat release tube 141a. In actual application, those skilled in the art can determine according to specific needs as long as the requirements for use can be met.

[0183] In some implementation manners, as Figure 8 shown, the first heat release tube 141a may include a plurality of first tube segments 141aa. The projections of the first tube segments 141aa in the axial direction of the interface 131c do not cover the projection of the interface 131c in its axial direction, and the first tube segments 141aa are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the interface 131c. In this implementation manner, the number of the first tube segments 141aa may be greater than or equal to three. In this way, the first tube segments 141aa can be arranged more uniformly along the circumferential direction of the interface 131c, and can better form the aforementioned "heat insulation zone".

[0184] The above-mentioned first tube segment 141aa may be a straight tube segment, for example Figure 8As shown, at this time, the projection of the first pipe segment 141aa in the axial direction of the interface 131c can be a "point". It should be understood that this "point" has a certain area. Correspondingly, the projections of the respective first pipe segments 141aa in the axial direction of the interface 131c are multiple spaced-apart "points", and the total projection of the respective first pipe segments 141aa in the axial direction of the interface 131c also cannot cover the projection of the interface 131c in its axial direction.

[0185] In addition, the above-mentioned first pipe segment 141aa can also be a curved pipe, such as a part of an arc-shaped pipe or a spiral pipe. At this time, the projection of the above-mentioned first pipe segment 141aa in the axial direction of the interface 131c can be a "line segment". It should be understood that this "line segment" has a certain width. In this solution, although the projection of a single first pipe segment 141aa in the axial direction of the interface 131c cannot cover the projection of the interface 131c in its axial direction, the total projection of the respective first pipe segments 141aa in the axial direction of the interface 131c may cover the projection of the interface 131c in its axial direction, which is specifically related to the shape and arrangement quantity of the first pipe segment 141aa. Moreover, since the curved pipe has a bent area, the fluid inside it can generate a centrifugal force, and the fluid can be more closely attached to the pipe wall, which is also beneficial to improving the heat transfer rate itself.

[0186] In some other implementation manners, as Figure 9 shown, the first heat release pipe 141a can include at least one second pipe segment 141ab, and the projection of the second pipe segment 141ab in the axial direction of the interface 131c can cover the projection of the interface 131c in its axial direction. In this way, the heat insulation effect that the first heat release pipe 141a itself can achieve can be better.

[0187] In this implementation manner, the second pipe segment 141ab can be an annular pipe or a spiral coiled pipe. Since the annular pipe or the spiral coiled pipe has a bent area, the fluid inside it can generate a centrifugal force, and the fluid can be more closely attached to the pipe wall, which is also beneficial to improving the heat transfer rate itself. For example Figure 9 shows the implementation manner of the spiral coiled pipe. When the number of spiral coiled pipes is multiple, each spiral coiled pipe extends along the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the interface 131c, and each spiral coiled pipe is misaligned with each other in the circumferential direction. In this way, the heat insulation effect of the "heat insulation belt" formed by combining multiple spiral coiled pipes can be better.

[0188] In fact, in specific applications, the above two implementation manners can also be adopted simultaneously. That is to say, the first heat release tube 141a can also include the above-mentioned first tube section 141aa and second tube section 141ab at the same time, and the first tube section 141aa and the second tube section 141ab can be respectively located in different regions of the interface 131c in the axial direction. For example, the second tube section 141ab can be an annular tube, which can be distributed at both axial ends of each first tube section 141aa to serve as a manifold at both axial ends of each first tube section 141aa. In this way, not only can the heat insulation effect be improved, but also the structural connection between each first tube section 141aa can be established at both axial ends of each first tube section 141aa, and the structural strength of the first heat release tube 141a can be improved.

[0189] In some alternative implementation manners, as Figure 10 shown, the heat release module 141 can further include at least one second heat release tube 141b, and the second heat release tube 141b can be inserted into the inner layer portion 131a. At this time, the tube wall of the second heat release tube 141b can be equivalent to the inner side wall portion 141a-1 of the aforementioned first heat release tube 141a, which can adjust the proportion of the wall portions in the heat release module 141 that are in contact with the inner layer portion 131a and the outer layer portion 131b. This increases the adjustability of the thermal energy storage device 100 provided by the embodiments of the present invention and is more conducive to ensuring the stability of the total heat exchange amount.

[0190] It should be understood that the above-mentioned second heat release tube 141b can also be arranged in the outer layer portion 131b, and can be specifically determined in combination with actual usage requirements.

[0191] The portions of the heat release module 141 in contact with the heat storage material 130 (such as the first heat release tube 141a and the second heat release tube 141b) can also be configured with the aforementioned corrosion-resistant layer to improve their corrosion resistance. Alternatively, the portions of the heat release module 141 in contact with the heat storage material 130 can also be provided with a double-layer structure, including a heat release outer tube portion and a heat release inner tube portion. The heat release outer tube portion is the contact portion for directly contacting the heat storage material 130, while the heat release inner tube portion is the non-contact portion. The heat release outer tube portion can be made of titanium alloy to improve corrosion resistance, and the heat release inner tube portion can be made of stainless steel to reduce costs; and since the heat release outer tube portion and the inner shell portion of the inner container are made of the same material, when welding the two by welding process, it is more conducive to ensuring the reliability of welding and improving the connection strength between the heat release tube 120 and the inner container 111.

[0192] In the foregoing Figure 6 and Figure 10In the implementation manner, the number of the heat charging pipe 120, the heat storage module 131, and the heat releasing module 141 is all one. The heat storage module 131 is equivalent to all the heat storage materials 130. The heat storage module 131 and the interface 131c are both arranged around the central axis of the heat charging pipe 120. In this way, the structural form of the heat energy storage device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be relatively simple, and the manufacturing cost can be relatively low.

[0193] In addition, in some other implementation manners of the embodiment of the present invention, there may also be multiple heat storage modules 131. For example, Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, at this time, a heat releasing module 141 can be arranged in each heat storage module 131, and an interface 131c can be formed in each heat storage module 131. The heat releasing modules 141 can be communicated with each other through a communicating pipe 144, and the communicating pipe 144 can also be used to release heat. In this implementation manner, the number of the heat charging pipes 120 can be one or multiple. For example, the number of the heat charging pipes 120 can be the same as that of the heat storage modules 131, and each heat charging pipe 120 can be correspondingly inserted into the inner layer part 131a of each heat storage module 131.

[0194] In addition, in some other implementation manners of the embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 13 shown, the heat releasing module 141 may further include a third heat exchange pipe 141c. At least a partial pipe section of the third heat exchange pipe 141c can be a bent pipe to extend the size of the third heat exchange pipe 141c. The central axes of the third heat exchange pipes 141c can be located in the same plane. This is also a feasible implementation manner.

[0195] In addition, in some other implementation manners of the embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the heat releasing pipes in the heat releasing module 141 can also be arranged on the outer side wall of the inner container 111, that is, the heat releasing pipes can also be arranged in the middle interlayer. This is also a feasible implementation manner. In this implementation manner, the heat exchange pipes can be arranged along the outer peripheral side of the inner container 111, and their shapes can be various shapes such as annular, spiral coil, straight line, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0196] The heat releasing unit 140 may further include a heat releasing inlet pipe 142 and a heat releasing outlet pipe 143. The heat releasing inlet pipe 142 and the heat releasing outlet pipe 143 can both be located in the heat insulation cavity 112a and are inserted and assembled in the first heat insulation plate 113a. The heat releasing inlet pipe 142 and the heat releasing outlet pipe 143 can both be connected to the heat releasing module 141 to introduce and lead out the heat exchange medium from the heat releasing module 141.

[0197] Further, the housing 110 may also be configured with a heat release inlet connection portion 115 and a heat release outlet connection portion 116, and the structural forms of the two may be consistent with the aforementioned heat charging connection portion 114. The heat release inlet connection portion 115 can be connected to the heat release inlet pipe 142, and the heat release outlet connection portion 116 can be connected to the heat release outlet pipe 143. At the same time, the heat release inlet connection portion 115 and the heat release outlet connection portion 116 are also used to connect to an external heat release device.

[0198] The heat release device is used to supply a heat exchange medium to the heat energy storage device 100 and is used to lead away the heat exchange medium after heat exchange. The specific structural form of the heat release device can be referred to the description in the following text.

[0199] A temperature detection component may also be provided inside the housing 110. For example, the temperature detection component may be a thermocouple sensor, etc., to be used to detect the real-time temperature of the heat storage material 130. The real-time temperature may include the real-time temperature value of the inner layer portion 131a and the real-time temperature value of the outer layer portion 131b. The temperature detection component may also be connected to the aforementioned signal connection portion 117. In this way, the integration degree of the signal connection portion 117 can be improved.

[0200] In addition, the heat energy storage device 100 further includes a backup power supply. For example, the backup power supply may be a lithium battery, etc., to be used to supply power to various forms of sensor devices, controller devices, etc. under power-off conditions, so that the heat energy storage device 100 can also be used under power-off conditions.

[0201] In the embodiment of the present invention, the heat charging operation and the heat release operation may be carried out synchronously, or the two may also be carried out separately, which is not limited herein.

[0202] As can be seen from the above, the heat energy storage device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention can have a higher energy density and power density, higher safety, longer service life, and is more conducive to miniaturization, and can facilitate the household application of the heat energy storage device 100.

[0203] Please refer to Figures 14 - 23 , Figure 14 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the heat energy storage system provided by the present invention; Figure 15 , which is a circuit diagram of an implementation manner of the voltage regulating component; Figure 16 , which is a circuit diagram of an implementation manner of the adjustable resistor; Figure 17 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the steam supply mechanism; Figure 18 , which is a schematic structural diagram of a hot water supply mechanism; Figure 19 , which is another schematic structural diagram of the hot water supply mechanism; Figure 20 , which is yet another schematic structural diagram of the hot water supply mechanism; Figure 21 , which is still another schematic structural diagram of the hot water supply mechanism; Figure 22It is a schematic structural diagram of a steam-water mixing component; Figure 23 It is another schematic structural diagram of a steam-water mixing component.

[0204] As Figure 14 shown, the present invention provides a thermal energy storage system, including a thermal energy storage device 100, a heat charging device 200, and a heat discharging device 300. Among them, the thermal energy storage device 100 can be the thermal energy storage device 100 involved in the foregoing implementation manners; the heat charging device 200 is configured to be able to be connected to the heat charging pipe 120 so as to provide a heat charging source for the heat charging unit, and the heat charging source includes electricity and / or light, so as to charge heat into the thermal energy storage device 100; the heat discharging device 300 is configured to be able to be connected to the heat discharging unit 140 so as to provide a heat exchange medium outward, and the heat exchange medium can specifically include water, water vapor, oil, etc., so as to realize the utilization of the heat in the thermal energy storage device 100.

[0205] Since the foregoing thermal energy storage device 100 already has the above technical effects, then, the thermal energy storage system having the thermal energy storage device 100 should also have similar technical effects, so it will not be elaborated here.

[0206] In some optional implementation manners, the heat charging device 200 can be a power supply mechanism. For example, the power supply mechanism can be a power generation mechanism that can directly generate electricity, such as a wind power generation mechanism, a photovoltaic power generation mechanism, a hydraulic power generation mechanism, a coal-fired power generation mechanism, etc. In this implementation manner, the thermal energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present invention can be used as the only energy storage device of these power generation mechanisms to generate heat by using the electric energy produced by these power generation mechanisms, and then store the heat energy; or, the thermal energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present invention can also be used as an auxiliary energy storage device, which can be used only when the energy is abundant (for example, when the wind power generation mechanism has strong wind or the photovoltaic power generation mechanism has strong sunlight at noon) to generate heat by using the surplus electric energy for storage. Another example is that the power supply mechanism can also be a power grid. At this time, the thermal energy storage device 100 can use the valley electricity at night of the power grid to generate heat for storage to make full use of the idle electricity, which can effectively reduce the heat storage cost; then, heat is released through the heat discharging device 300 at high electricity prices during the day. With such a setting, the thermal energy storage system provided by the embodiment of the present invention can realize the allocation of energy, effectively solve the contradiction between the supply / demand of energy in the power system in terms of time, can greatly improve the comprehensive utilization efficiency of energy, and can effectively reduce the use cost of energy.

[0207] It should be understood that for unstable energy power generation mechanisms such as wind power generation mechanisms and photovoltaic power generation mechanisms 210, their output characteristics are greatly affected by natural conditions (light intensity, wind force, etc.), and the load resistances corresponding to the maximum power points under different natural conditions are also different. Specifically in the embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned electric heating rod 151 serves as the load resistance. When the resistance value of the electric heating rod 151 remains unchanged, the change in the output characteristics of the wind power generation mechanism or the photovoltaic power generation mechanism will inevitably lead to some moments when the actual output efficiency is relatively low.

[0208] In view of this, in the embodiments of the present invention, the heat charging device 200 further includes a voltage regulating component 220. The unstable energy power generation mechanism 210 can be connected to the power supply mechanism 150 through the voltage regulating component 220. The voltage regulating component 220 is used to regulate the voltage on both sides of the power supply mechanism 150, and can realize real-time tracking of the maximum power point under different power supply conditions to improve the output efficiency.

[0209] Here, the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the specific structural form of the above voltage regulating component 220. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can set it according to the actual situation such as the specific type of the power supply mechanism, as long as it can meet the usage requirements. Taking the power supply mechanism as a photovoltaic power generation mechanism as an example, the voltage regulating component 220 can be a DCDC circuit. The DCDC circuit can be, for example, a Boost circuit, a Buck circuit, a Buck - Boost circuit, etc. Taking the Buck circuit as an example, as Figure 15 shown, it can include a field effect transistor 221, a diode 222, an inductor 223, and a capacitor 224. By adjusting the duty cycle of the field effect transistor 221, its voltage transformation coefficient can be adjusted. In order to obtain a better voltage transformation coefficient, a constant voltage tracking method can be adopted, that is, making the output voltage of the unstable energy power generation mechanism 210 stable at a set value, so as to achieve real-time maximum power output (generally, the output voltage U mpp corresponding to the maximum power point of the photovoltaic power generation mechanism is stable); alternatively, a perturbation method can also be used.

[0210] In fact, in addition to the above implementation method of setting the voltage regulating component 220, a variable resistor can also be configured for the power supply mechanism 150, that is, the resistance value of the electric heating rod 151 can be set to be adjustable, which can also improve the output efficiency.

[0211] The structural forms of variable resistors are also diverse. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can select according to specific needs. In some implementation methods, such as Figure 16As shown, the electric heating rod 151 may include a plurality of selectable resistors 151a connected in parallel. Each selectable resistor 151a is connected to a relay switch 151b. By opening and closing the relay switch 151b, the number of selectable resistors 151a connected can be adjusted, and thus the resistance of the electric heating rod 151 can be adjusted to achieve maximum power point tracking. This solution avoids excessive power electronic devices, has a simple structure, high reliability, and low cost.

[0212] For the implementation method using adjustable resistors, the maximum output power can be obtained by the voltage tracking method, that is, when the output voltage is higher than the set voltage, the resistance value is decreased, otherwise it is increased. Alternatively, the maximum output power can also be obtained by the perturbation method.

[0213] In some alternative implementation manners, the heat charging device 200 may be a light supply mechanism. The light supply mechanism may include a light receiving component, and the light receiving component may directly introduce light into the heat charging tube 120 to directly generate heat by light and then store the heat. Compared with the scheme of photovoltaic power generation and then using electric energy to generate and store heat, the light supply mechanism can directly utilize light energy, with fewer energy conversion processes and higher conversion efficiency.

[0214] In some alternative implementation manners, the heat releasing device 300 may include a steam supply mechanism 310.

[0215] As Figure 17 shown, the steam supply mechanism 310 may include a first water path 311 and a first steam path 312. Both the first water path 311 and the first steam path 312 may be connected to the heat releasing unit 140. The first water path 311 may be located upstream of the heat storage device 100 and is used to convey cold water into the heat releasing unit 140. The cold water can boil and turn into steam after passing through the heat releasing unit 140. The first steam path 312 may be located downstream of the heat storage device 100 and is used to lead out the steam. Here, the upstream may refer to the heat releasing inlet pipe (the input end of the heat releasing unit) where the heat exchange medium flows into the heat releasing unit, and the downstream refers to the heat releasing outlet pipe (the output end of the heat releasing unit) where the heat exchange medium flows out of the heat releasing unit.

[0216] The first water path 311 may be configured with a first pump body 311a and a second proportional valve 311b. The first pump body 311a can provide pumping driving force. The second proportional valve 311b can then realize the on-off adjustment and flow rate adjustment of the first water path 311.

[0217] As Figure 18As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, the heat release device 300 may further include a second water circuit 320, and the second water circuit 320 is also used to provide cold water. The first steam circuit 312 may be connected to a steam-water mixing component 330, and the second water circuit 320 and the steam-water mixing component 330 may be connected. In this way, the steam provided by the first steam circuit 312 and the cold water provided by the second water circuit 320 can be mixed in the steam-water mixing component 330 to generate hot water.

[0218] As Figure 19 shown, a communication pipeline 340 may be provided between the first water circuit 311 and the second water circuit 320, and the communication pipeline 340 may be configured with a first proportional valve 341. When the temperature of the heat storage material 130 is already very low and is not sufficient to generate sufficient water vapor using the cold water in the first water circuit 311, the first proportional valve 341 may be opened and the first water circuit 311 may be closed to directly supply the cold water in the second water circuit 320 into the heat energy storage device 100 to generate hot water.

[0219] As Figure 20 shown, the first water circuit 311 and the second water circuit 320 may also be independent of each other. The first water circuit 311 may be configured with a first pump body 311a and a second proportional valve 311b, and the second water circuit 320 may be configured with a second pump body 321 and a third proportional valve 322. By adjusting the opening degrees of the second proportional valve 311b and the third proportional valve 322, the flow rates of the first water circuit 311 and the second water circuit 320 can be adjusted, and further the outlet temperature of the steam-water mixing component 330 can be adjusted.

[0220] In fact, the second proportional valve 311b and the third proportional valve 322 may also be omitted, and then the first pump body 311a and the second pump body 321 may be set as pump bodies capable of adjusting the flow rate. In this way, the purpose of adjusting the flow rates of the first water circuit 311 and the second water circuit 320 can also be achieved. At the same time, the number of components can be reduced to simplify the structure.

[0221] As Figure 21 shown, the first water circuit 311 and the second water circuit 320 may also be connected. At this time, the first water circuit 311 and the second water circuit 320 are equivalent to sharing a water source and sharing the first pump body 311a, which can reduce the number of components to simplify the structure. A fourth proportional valve 311c may be configured in the downstream pipeline of the first water circuit 311 at the connection point with the second water circuit 320, and the second water circuit 320 may be configured with a fifth proportional valve 323. The flow rates of the first water circuit 311 and the second water circuit 320 can also be adjusted through the fourth proportional valve 311c and the fifth proportional valve 323, and further the purpose of adjusting the outlet temperature of the steam-water mixing component 330 can be achieved.

[0222] As Figure 22As shown in the figure, the steam-water mixing component 330 may include a mixer 330a, a steam inlet 330b, a water inlet 330c, and an outlet 330d. The steam inlet 330b, the water inlet 330c, and the outlet 330d may all be connected to the mixer 330a. A diffuser 330f may also be provided inside the mixer 330a. The steam inlet 330b and the diffuser 330f may be connected, and a flow disturbance structure 330e may also be provided on the inner wall surface of the mixer 330a.

[0223] In the above solution, the diffuser 330f can reduce the noise generated during steam-water mixing, while the flow disturbance structure 330e can improve the mixing rate and heat exchange efficiency of steam and water. The advantages of the above steam-water mixing component 330 are small volume, fast heat exchange rate, no heat loss, no steam condensate, etc.

[0224] As Figure 23 shown in the figure, the embodiment of the present invention also provides another steam-water mixing component 330, including a heat exchanger 330g, a first outlet pipe 330h, a second outlet pipe 330i, and an outlet main pipe 330j. The heat exchanger 330g may specifically be a plate heat exchanger, etc. A first medium channel and a second medium channel may be formed inside it. The first steam path 312 and the first outlet pipe 330h may both be connected to the first medium channel, and the second water path 320 and the second outlet pipe 330i may both be connected to the second medium channel. The first outlet pipe 330h and the second outlet pipe 330i may both be connected to the outlet main pipe 330j. The steam provided by the first steam path 312 and the water provided by the second water path 320 may first exchange heat inside the heat exchanger 330g, and then be mixed in the outlet main pipe 330j through the first outlet pipe 330h and the second outlet pipe 330i. In this way, the noise during the steam-water mixing process can be lower.

[0225] In this solution, the first steam path 312 may also be connected with a bypass branch 312a. The bypass branch 312a may be configured with a sixth proportional valve 312a-1, and the downstream pipe section of the first steam path 312 at the connection point with the bypass branch 312a may be configured with a seventh proportional valve 312b. When hot water does not need to be provided, the sixth proportional valve 312a-1 may be opened, and the seventh proportional valve 312b may be closed. The heat release device 300 may directly provide steam through the bypass branch 312a.

[0226] In the embodiment of the present invention, since the heat release device 300 involves relatively many pipelines and steam transportation, etc., in order to ensure the use safety, components existing in normal pipeline structures such as safety valves and pressure switches may all be configured, and no specific limitations and descriptions are made here.

[0227] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principle of the present invention, several improvements and modifications can be made, and these improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal energy storage device, characterized in that: include: A shell, comprising an outer container, an inner container and a heat insulation unit, wherein the inner container is arranged inside the outer container, and the heat insulation unit is arranged in an intermediate layer between the inner container and the outer container; A heat storage material is filled in the inner container; A heat charging unit, comprising at least one heat charging module; the heat charging module is configured to heat the heat storage material; The heat release unit comprises at least one heat release module, wherein the heat release module is configured to supply heat to the outside by utilizing the heat stored in the heat storage material.

2. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate layer is in a preset vacuum state, and / or the thermal insulation unit is provided with more than one layer of nano thermal insulation material layer.

3. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A vacuum pump is also included. The vacuum pump is in communication with the intermediate layer and is configured to be operable to maintain a preset vacuum pressure.

4. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The preset vacuum pressure is between 10 mbar and 200 mbar.

5. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The nano heat-insulating material layer comprises a core material and a packaging part, wherein the core material is packaged in the packaging part, and the core material comprises fumed silica particles, a sunscreen and reinforcing fibers.

6. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat insulation unit is provided with a first heat insulation board, the first heat insulation board comprises a nano heat insulation material, and the first heat insulation board is located on the top surface and the bottom surface of the inner container.

7. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat insulation unit is provided with a second heat insulation board, the second heat insulation board includes a nano heat insulation material, and the second heat insulation board is located on the outer peripheral side of the inner container.

8. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat insulation unit is provided with multiple layers of the nano heat insulation material layers, and a heat reflection layer is arranged between each layer of the nano heat insulation material layers.

9. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat insulation unit includes an inner heat insulation part and an outer heat insulation part. The inner heat insulation part is closer to the inner container than the outer heat insulation part. The inner heat insulation part and the outer heat insulation part are made of different materials.

10. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The inner heat-insulating part comprises at least one layer of nano heat-insulating material layer and at least one layer of heat-reflecting layer.

11. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The outer heat insulation part includes at least one aerogel felt layer and at least one heat reflection layer.

12. The thermal energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The heat charging module includes an electric heat charging mechanism and a heat transfer sleeve, wherein the heat transfer sleeve is at least partially located in the heat storage material, and the electric heat charging mechanism includes an electric heat charging rod, which is inserted into the heat transfer sleeve.

13. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The material of the heat transfer sleeve includes any one of metal material, graphite material, carbide ceramic and the like.

14. The thermal energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The heat charging module includes a light heat charging mechanism and a heat charging tube, the heat charging tube is at least partially located in the heat storage material, and the light heat charging mechanism includes at least a light transport component, and the light transport component is configured to be able to transport light into the heat charging tube.

15. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The inner hole of the heat filling tube is a hole of uniform cross-section; or, the inner hole of the heat filling tube is a tapered hole in the direction away from the light delivery component; or, at least a partial hole section of the inner hole of the heat filling tube is provided with an internal thread or a groove.

16. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The optical heat charging mechanism also includes a light guiding component, the light transporting component is connected to the light guiding component, and the light guiding component is configured to guide the light transported by the light transporting component to the inner wall surface of the heat charging tube.

17. The thermal energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The heat storage material comprises an aluminum-silicon alloy material, and the aluminum-silicon alloy material is configured to undergo phase change during heat charging and heat release, and the inner container is configured with a reserved space on the upper side of the heat storage material.

18. The thermal energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: A portion where at least one of the inner container, the heat charging module, and the heat releasing module contacts the heat storage material is provided with a corrosion-resistant layer.

19. The thermal energy storage device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The corrosion-resistant layer is one or more of an electroplating layer, a structural ceramic layer, a structural ceramic mixed graphite layer, a carbon steel aluminized layer, and a titanium alloy.

20. The thermal energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The heat release module comprises at least one heat release tube, and the heat release tube is arranged in the inner container or in the middle interlayer.

21. The thermal energy storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The heat release module comprises at least one heat release tube, which is arranged in the heat storage material and comprises an annular tube or a spiral coil; or, At least a partial section of the heat release pipe is a curved pipe, and the central axes of the heat release pipe are located in the same plane.

22. A thermal energy storage system, characterized in that: A heat storage device, a heat charging device and a heat releasing device comprising any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the heat charging device is configured to be connected to the heat charging unit to provide a heat charging source to the heat charging unit; The heat release device is configured to be connected to the heat release unit to provide heat exchange medium to the outside.

23. The thermal energy storage system according to claim 22, characterized in that: The heat exchange medium includes water and / or water vapor, the heat release device includes a steam supply mechanism, and the steam supply mechanism includes a first water circuit and a first steam circuit. The first water circuit is connected to the input end of the heat release unit, and the first steam circuit is connected to the output end of the heat release unit. The first water circuit provides water to the heat release unit, and the first steam circuit provides hot water and / or water vapor to the outside.

24. The thermal energy storage system according to claim 23, characterized in that: The heat release device further comprises a second water circuit, the first steam circuit is connected with a steam-water mixing component, and the second water circuit is connected to the steam-water mixing component.

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