Capsule, system and method for storing and releasing heat

Abstract

A system (1) for dissipating heat comprises a plurality of capsules (10), each filled with a latent heat storage material (100), wherein a nucleating agent (11A-11D) is arranged in each of the capsules (10), wherein the system (1) further comprises a triggering device (12) which is designed to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents (11A-11D) so as to cause a movement of the respective nucleating agent (11A-11D) inside the respective capsule (10) in order to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) from liquid to solid.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for discharging heat, a heating system, a capsule for storing heat, a method for producing such a capsule and a method for storing and discharging heat energy.

[0002] Until now, buildings have predominantly been heated with heating systems based solely on the combustion of fuels, particularly fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil, with the well-known disadvantages of greenhouse gas production and limited availability. The combustion of renewable resources such as wood enables a better climate balance, but even such resources are not unlimited, and their combustion also produces combustion products that can pollute the environment.

[0003] Heat pumps, on the other hand, have the advantage that no combustion takes place on site, as they are powered by electricity. This electricity can be generated using renewable energies, particularly wind and solar power. However, this comes with the disadvantage that the yield from photovoltaic systems is very low in the cold winter months and / or at night, precisely the times when heating is most needed. Operators of heat pump heating systems therefore usually purchase larger quantities of electricity in the winter months. Conversely, many operators of photovoltaic systems generate more electricity than they can consume in the summer months. In this case, energy is available, but at a different time than it is needed for heating.

[0004] Furthermore, large amounts of unused energy are available in some places. For example, desert areas near the equator receive constant solar radiation even during the winter months of regions farther from the equator. Furthermore, some geothermal areas are too far from cities to be connected to a district heating network, for example. In these exemplary cases, energy may be available at the right time, but not in the right place.

[0005] In such cases, effective storage and release of heat energy at the desired time and location would be desirable. Examples of well-known storage systems include boric acid, metal hydrite, or lime, but these are all very complex to operate and complex to construct.

[0006] DE 31 02 869 A1 describes a device for storing heat for heating systems, comprising a plurality of storage elements arranged in a storage chamber containing a phase-change material. The storage elements are circulated between a solar collector and a heat storage unit. However, this device does not provide a solution to the problems described above.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of enabling an effective release of stored heat.

[0008] This problem is solved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0009] According to this, a system for dissipating heat is provided, comprising a plurality of capsules, each filled with a latent heat storage material, wherein a nucleating agent is arranged in each of the capsules, wherein the system further comprises a triggering device which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents, so that a movement of the respective nucleating agent is effected within the respective capsule in order to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material from liquid to solid.

[0010] By arranging a nucleating agent in each capsule to trigger crystallization of the latent heat storage material, the release of the thermal energy stored in the respective capsule can be triggered at the exact time and place where the heat is needed. As long as crystallization is not triggered, the latent heat storage material stores the thermal energy, as is common practice in hand warmers, for example. In hand warmers, crystallization is triggered by manually bending a metal plate that serves as a nucleating agent. When the metal plate is bent, pressure waves are generated and microscopic metal particles are released into the latent heat storage material. This serves as a crystallization nucleus. When the latent heat storage material crystallizes, the thermal energy is released.

[0011] The system proposed here features a triggering device designed to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents, causing movement of the respective nucleating agent within the respective capsule (e.g., bending a metal plate). This allows the phase change of the latent heat storage material from liquid to solid, and thus the release of heat, to be triggered automatically, enabling effective release of stored heat.

[0012] For example, the triggering device comprises a magnet, particularly a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. When the capsules are moved past the triggering device, the nucleating agents are activated in a particularly simple manner. Such a triggering device is also maintenance-free, simple in design, and cost-effective.

[0013] Each of the nucleating agents can comprise a permanent magnet. This can interact easily with the triggering device, for example, being aligned and attracted. If the triggering device is also a permanent magnet, for example, the permanent magnet of the nucleating agent orients itself in the magnetic field of the triggering device and is attracted to it with the opposite pole. The movement of the respective nucleating agent inside the respective capsule presses a plate, in particular a metal plate or the like, against an inner wall of the capsule. This causes the metal plate to bend, for example, triggering crystallization.

[0014] Each of the nucleating elements can comprise a plate, in particular a metal plate. The plate / metal plate can be connected to the permanent magnet of the nucleating element via a web. This allows for easy movement, in particular bending, of the metal plate. Furthermore, it allows pressure to be exerted on the capsule wall to trigger crystallization.

[0015] In one embodiment, the metal plate of the respective nucleating agent is designed as a bimetallic plate. This allows for particularly effective nucleation.

[0016] It can be provided that the plate, in particular the metal plate of the respective nucleating agent, is shaped according to the shape of the permanent magnet of the respective nucleating agent or is shaped according to the shape of a shell of the respective capsule. This facilitates triggering.

[0017] Furthermore, each capsule can contain metal chips. The metal chips can be mixed with the latent heat storage material. The metal chips can be influenced by the movement of a portion of the nucleating agent due to the interaction with the triggering device, so that the metal chips act as nucleating agents. The metal chips can, for example, be pressed and deformed between the permanent magnet and the plate, in particular the metal plate of the nucleating agent, or the capsule wall as a result of the movement caused by the interaction with the triggering device, releasing micro-metal particles that act as crystallization nuclei. Experiments have shown that such an arrangement enables particularly effective nucleation.

[0018] For example, the metal chips contain or consist of aluminum. This has achieved particularly good results in experiments. Aluminum chips are also particularly easy and inexpensive to produce, as well as being lightweight.

[0019] The capsules have a diameter of, for example, less than 1 cm, less than 5 mm, less than 1 mm, or less than 0.1 mm. This allows the capsules to be used in existing heating systems by simply placing them in a transport medium (e.g., water) circulating within the heating system. The release device is then simply mounted at a location where the stored heat is desired, e.g., on a radiator or underfloor heating.

[0020] It can be provided that a gas bubble, e.g., an air bubble, is arranged in each of the capsules. This can facilitate transport by means of a pump and promote uniform distribution of the capsules in a transport medium by adjusting the density of the capsule during production by the enclosed gas bubble according to the density of the transport medium, e.g., equal to or, in particular, such that the density of the capsules is (slightly) greater than the density of the transport medium.

[0021] The slightly higher weight of the capsules relative to the same volume ensures that they sink to the bottom of a storage tank and are separated from the transport medium.

[0022] The capsules can be identical in shape, making large-scale production particularly easy. The capsules can be spherical or lens-shaped, for example, which allows for easy transport.

[0023] The latent heat storage material is a phase-change material. For example, the latent heat storage material comprises or consists of sodium acetate. Sodium acetate is non-toxic and exhibits excellent heat storage properties. However, other latent heat storage materials are also possible that are temperature-stable after melting and whose solidification reaction can be triggered in a controlled manner.

[0024] According to one aspect, a heating system is provided, comprising a pipe circuit and at least one heating element (e.g., in the form of a radiator or in the form of a surface heating system, such as underfloor heating). The heating system further comprises the system according to any of the embodiments described herein, wherein the triggering device is arranged on an inlet valve of the at least one heating element connected to the pipe circuit, and the capsules, with transport medium flowing through the pipe circuit, are movable through the inlet valve into the heating element (e.g., the radiator). Regarding the advantages, reference is made to the above information.

[0025] The heating system can include a capsule storage unit connected to the heating circuit for storing the capsules. This allows, for example, large quantities of heated and liquefied capsules to be stored in a simple manner and kept until winter.

[0026] The heating system can further comprise a solar collector, by means of which a fluid can be heated and which is in fluid communication with a heat exchanger connected to the piping circuit. In the heat exchanger, the capsules in the piping circuit can be heated using the heated fluid to cause a phase change of the latent heat storage material in the capsules from solid to liquid. For example, in summer, a building's heating system can generate a reserve of stored thermal energy for use in the winter.

[0027] The capsules have a diameter. The inlet valve has an opening cross-section when open. The opening cross-section can be larger than the diameter of the capsules. This allows the capsules to flow easily into the heating element with the transport fluid, without requiring structural changes to the heating system of an existing building.

[0028] For example, the transport medium is brine. This allows the capsule storage to be installed in an unheated location, e.g., outside the building. Optionally, storage outside the building in a (typically frost-free) area below 100 cm deep is possible. Alternatively or additionally, the capsule storage can be equipped with a heater, controlled, for example, by a frost monitor. The heater is optionally powered by the capsules themselves. Furthermore, a storage medium made of a frost-resistant latent heat storage material can be provided.

[0029] The transport medium may have a lower density than the capsules.

[0030] According to one aspect, a capsule for heat storage is provided. The capsule comprises a shell, a latent heat storage material arranged in the shell, and a nucleating agent arranged in the latent heat storage material, comprising a permanent magnet and a plate, in particular a metal plate. Regarding the advantages, reference is again made to the above information. The capsule can be designed as described above in connection with the system.

[0031] According to one aspect, a method for producing a capsule for heat storage is provided, comprising: arranging a nucleating agent with a permanent magnet and a plate, in particular a metal plate, in a latent heat storage material; and enclosing the latent heat storage material with the nucleating agent in a shell. Regarding the advantages, reference is again made to the above statements. The capsule can be formed as described above in connection with the system.

[0032] According to one aspect, a method for storing and releasing thermal energy is provided, comprising: providing a plurality of capsules, each filled with a latent heat storage material and in each of which a nucleating agent is arranged to trigger crystallization of the latent heat storage material; heating the capsules using a heat source to cause a phase change of the latent heat storage material from solid to liquid; and transporting the capsules containing the liquid latent heat storage material to a triggering device spaced apart from the heat source, which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents, thereby causing movement of the respective nucleating agent within the respective capsule to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material from liquid to solid. With regard to the advantages, reference is again made to the above information.The capsules may be configured as described above and the triggering device may be part of the system in any of the configurations described herein.

[0033] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows a system for dissipating heat comprising a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleator with a bimetallic plate; Fig. 2A shows a heat delivery system comprising a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleating agent comprising metal shavings; Fig. 2B shows a system for dissipating heat comprising a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleating element with a plate made of metal or plastic bent to conform to the shape of the capsule; Fig. 3 shows a system for dissipating heat comprising a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleating element having a curved metal plate; Fig. 4A shows a building with a heating system with a system for distributing heat with a plurality of capsules in summer, the dashed lines representing the path of the capsules; Fig. 4B the building according to Fig. 4A in winter, where the dashed lines represent the path of the capsules; Fig. 5 a thermostat of the building’s heating system in accordance with Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B; Fig. 6 a geothermal system for heating the capsules according to Fig. 1-3; and Fig. 7A-7C several steps of capsule production.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a system 1 for dissipating heat, comprising a plurality of capsules 10, of which Fig. 1. The capsules 10 are of identical design. Each capsule 10 has a shell 101 and is filled with a latent heat storage material 100. The shell 101 is made of, for example, polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is resistant to mild acids and bases, can withstand high mechanical loads, can be used with thin walls, is only slightly denser than water, and is available as a recycled material. However, other plastics or metals can also be used. The shell 101 encloses the latent heat storage material 100. The latent heat storage material 100 is a phase change material (PCM material). The latent heat storage material 100 stores a large portion of the thermal energy supplied to it in the form of transformation enthalpy, in this case for a phase change from solid to liquid.The latent heat storage material 100 can store large amounts of heat in a small temperature range around the phase change and can outperform heat storage devices that only use the thermal energy of a material, such as hot water storage devices.

[0035] A nucleating element 11A is arranged in each of the capsules 10. The nucleating element 11A comprises a permanent magnet 110. The nucleating element 11A comprises Fig. 1 further shows a metal plate 111A, which here is embodied, for example, in the form of a bimetallic plate. The bimetallic plate is, for example, under tension. The bimetallic plate is designed, for example, such that it emits a pressure wave and / or metal crystals as seed crystals within a specific temperature range and / or assists triggering by a permanent magnet within a specific temperature range and emits a pressure wave and / or metal crystals as seed crystals. The bimetallic plate can be prestressed such that it can be triggered near a specific temperature with little additional force. The energy stored in the prestress is released by the permanent magnet. When heated during melting of the latent heat storage material 100, the bimetallic plate is simultaneously prestressed.

[0036] The metal plate 111A is connected to the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11A via a web 112. The web 112 is arranged in a central region of the metal plate 111A. The permanent magnet 110 is circularly cylindrical in the present case, but could also have a different shape, e.g., rod-shaped. The metal plate 111A is circular, but could also have a different shape.

[0037] The capsules 10 have a diameter D of less than 1 cm, specifically less than 5 mm, namely in this case 2 mm or less, but could also have a diameter of less than 1 mm or less than 0.1 mm. Thus, the capsules 10 can simply be carried in a transport medium T through a line 200, which is Fig. 1. The transport medium T in this case is a fluid, specifically a liquid. In the example described, the transport medium T is water with an antifreeze. Salt serves as the antifreeze, so the transport medium T is brine.

[0038] The latent heat storage material 100 used here is, for example, sodium acetate. This material has particularly practical properties, is non-toxic, and is available in large quantities.

[0039] A gas bubble 102 is provided in each of the capsules 10. The size of the gas bubble 102 is such that the weight of the entire capsule 10 (despite the nucleating agent 11A arranged therein) per unit volume is only slightly greater than the weight of the transport medium T per unit volume, e.g., 1% greater, 5% greater, 10% greater, or 20% greater. This allows the capsules 10 to be carried along with the flowing transport medium T. If, however, the transport medium T is stationary, the capsules 10 sink to the bottom. This facilitates their storage. Alternatively, the density can be adjusted via the size of the gas bubble 102 so that it is the same as the density of the transport medium T. This can facilitate the circulation of the capsules 10.

[0040] The capsules 10 are spherical in this case, although other shapes, such as a lens shape, are also conceivable. The shell 101 is flexible. The shell 101 is acid-resistant in this case. The shell 101 is made of a plastic.

[0041] The system 1 further comprises a triggering device 12, which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents 11A of the respective capsules 10, thereby causing movement of the respective nucleating agent 11A within the respective capsule 10 to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material 100 from liquid to solid. The stored heat is released in this process.

[0042] In the example shown, the triggering device 12 is designed to interact magnetically with the individual nucleating agents 11A of the respective capsules 10, but an electrostatic interaction would also be conceivable.

[0043] In this case, the triggering device 12 comprises a permanent magnet 120; an electromagnet, for example, would also be conceivable. In this case, the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12 is arranged with one pole (here, the south pole S) on a wall of the line 200, while the other pole (here, the north pole N) faces away from the line 200. However, other orientations would also be possible.

[0044] If a capsule 10 containing liquid latent heat storage material 100 now flows into the vicinity of the triggering device 12, the permanent magnet 110 inside the capsule 10 is rotated so that its opposite pole (here, the north pole N) faces the opposite pole of the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12. In this case, either the permanent magnet 110 inside the capsule 10 rotates or the capsule 10 rotates as a whole. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11A is attracted to the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12. This exerts pressure on the metal plate 111A.

[0045] In this case, the metal plate 111A is attached by the web 112 to the side of the pole (here the north pole N) of the permanent magnet 110, which is opposite the pole of the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12 facing the interior of the line 200. The web 112 forms a gap between the metal plate 111A in the permanent magnet 110, which allows the metal plate 111A to be deformed toward the permanent magnet 110.

[0046] By applying pressure to the metal plate 111A, for example, its edges are pressed against the inside of the casing 101, causing the metal plate to deform elastically, in this case by way of example such that the metal plate 111A is bent. This deformation triggers crystallization of the latent heat storage material 100. As a result of this crystallization, the stored thermal energy is released. It has been found that simply applying pressure by the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating agent 11A in the capsule onto the plate made of metal or another material (e.g., plastic) (e.g., adapted to the shape of the magnet), here the metal plate 111A, in the capsule 10 or the casing 101 is sufficient to trigger the reaction (particularly in conjunction with aluminum shavings, see below). It can be provided that the casing 101 is rigid, not elastic.

[0047] Fig. 2A shows a Fig. 1 similar arrangement, wherein the metal plate 111B is not a bimetallic plate, but a metal plate made of only one material, in this case for example spring steel.

[0048] Furthermore, the nucleating agent 11B according to Fig. 2A Metal chips 113 embedded in the latent heat storage material 100. The metal chips 113 are distributed inside the capsule 10. In this case, the metal chips 113 are aluminum chips.

[0049] The metal chips 113 are also arranged between the metal plate 111B and the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11B. If the latter causes a deformation of the metal plate 111B through interaction with the triggering device 12, the metal chips 113 are crushed, which further improves nucleation.

[0050] Fig. 2B shows a Fig. 2A, wherein the plate 114 is not a metal plate, but a plate made of a non-metallic material, in this case plastic. However, it should be noted that this is merely exemplary, and the plate 114 could also comprise a metal or be made of metal(s).

[0051] The plate 114 is not flat. The plate 114 is curved. In the present case, the plate 114 (or at least an outer surface thereof) is shaped according to a section of a sphere. In this example, the shape of the outer surface of the plate 114 is designed to match the shape of the inside of the shell 101. Here, the shell 101 is spherical, for example, although other shapes are also conceivable. The permanent magnet 110 forms a stamp with the surface adapted to the shell 101 (here formed by the plate 114, for example). Alternatively, another component can be provided instead of the plate 114, which has the surface adapted to the shell 101. For example, the permanent magnet 110 itself could be formed with such a surface.

[0052] Furthermore, the nucleating agent 11B according to Fig. 2B, as already shown by Fig. 2A, metal chips 113 are located in the latent heat storage material 100. The metal chips 113 are distributed inside the capsule 10. In this case, the metal chips 113 are again, for example, aluminum chips.

[0053] If the permanent magnet 110 is attracted by the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12, it presses against the casing 101. It has been shown that crystallization can be triggered by this pressure alone. Particularly good results have been achieved when the described metal chips 113 are arranged in the capsule 10.

[0054] Fig. 3 shows another, to Fig. 1 similar arrangement, wherein the metal plate 111C according to Fig. 3 is also not a bimetallic plate, but a metal plate made of only one material, in this case again spring steel as an example.

[0055] The metal plate 111C according to Fig. 3 is bent, in this case such that its edge points away from the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11C. The interaction with the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12 thus reverses the bending of the metal plate 111C (toward the permanent magnet 110). In doing so, the metal plate 111C is folded or bent accordingly. This allows for further improved nucleation.

[0056] The Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B shows a building 3 with a heating system 2. Building 3 is, for example, a single-family house.

[0057] The heating system 2 comprises a pipe circuit 20 and at least one heating element 21. Specifically, the heating system 2 comprises several heating elements 21, of which Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B only shows one. Here, the heating element 21 is designed in the form of a radiator, but a surface heating system, such as underfloor heating, wall heating, or the like, would also be conceivable.

[0058] The heating system 2 comprises the system 1 according to Fig. 1 (alternatively system 1 according to Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B or according to Fig. 3). The triggering device 12 is arranged on an inlet valve 210 of the heating element 21 connected to the line circuit 20, as described below in connection with Fig. 5 will be explained in more detail.

[0059] The capsules 10 can be moved through the inlet valve 210 into the heating element 21 by the transport medium T flowing through the line circuit 20. For this purpose, the heating system 2 comprises a pump 24, which circulates the transport medium T, together with the capsules 10 arranged therein, through the line circuit 20.

[0060] A capsule storage unit 22 is further connected to the line circuit 20, which comprises a plurality of lines 200, e.g., in the form of hoses and / or pipes. The capsule storage unit 22 is designed to store a plurality of capsules 10, e.g., more than 1,000, more than 10,000, more than 100,000, or even more than 1,000,000 capsules 10.

[0061] The heating system further comprises a solar collector 26 and a heat exchanger 25. The solar collector 26 is connected to the heat exchanger 25, and a fluid F can flow through the solar collector 26 and through the heat exchanger 25 by means of a (further) pump 27. The pipe circuit 20 is also connected to the heat exchanger 25. This allows heat to be exchanged between the fluid F and the transport medium T and the capsules 10 arranged therein. The heat exchanger 25 also ensures that the capsules 10 do not need to be guided through thin capillary tubes of the solar collector 26.

[0062] Fig. 4A shows the heating system 2 at a time when the sun is heating the solar collector, e.g., in summer. The fluid F is heated. The heated fluid F is pumped through the heat exchanger 25 by the pump 27. At the same time, ("discharged") capsules with the latent heat storage material 100 in the solid state are pumped through the heat exchanger 25 and are heated by the fluid F. The path of the capsules 10 is illustrated by dashed lines. Here, the capsules 10 are heated ("charged") and the latent heat storage material 100 is converted into the liquid state. The charged capsules 10 are then pumped into the capsule storage 22. There they are stored, e.g., until winter.

[0063] The capsule storage 22 can be located in building 3, but this does not have to be the case. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the capsule storage 22 is located outside the building 3.

[0064] Since no heating power is required, the inlet valve 210 of the thermostat 211 of the heating element 21 is closed, and no capsules 10 flow in or out through the heating element 21, here the radiator. Instead, the capsules 10 are pumped from the capsule storage 22 past the heating element 21 through the heat exchanger 25 by means of the pump 24. Therefore, the capsules are not directed to the triggering device 12 and, accordingly, are not activated.

[0065] Fig. Figure 4B shows the heating system 2 at a time when heating energy is required, in this case in winter.

[0066] The sun is not shining or is shining only weakly, and solar collector 26 is inactive. Pump 27 of solar collector 26 is deactivated.

[0067] The pump 24 of the line circuit 20 conveys the transport medium T with the charged capsules 10 from the capsule storage 22 through the heating element 21, whose inlet valve 210 is open. The capsules 10 are activated and release their heat exactly where their thermal energy is needed, namely in the heating element 21. After the capsules 10 have released their heat in the heating element 21, they are pumped back into the capsule storage 22. The capsule storage 22 is designed, for example, as a FIFO (First-In-First-Out) storage system, meaning that the capsules 10 stored first are also removed first. This allows all charged capsules 10 to be used before discharged capsules 10 are recirculated.

[0068] If, for example, during the seasonal transition period, more heat is available than is required, but the required brine temperature is not reached, a heat pump or other heating device can be used to achieve the melting point. This is very efficient, as the brine temperature only needs to be increased by a few degrees.

[0069] The capsule storage 22 is optionally designed like a separation basin in which the capsules 10 are separated from the transport medium T. This occurs by sinking at a reduced flow rate in the capsule storage 22. The capsules 10 sink to the bottom of the capsule storage 22, while the transport medium T is pumped further at the top.

[0070] The electrically operated pump 24 conveys the transport medium T with the capsules 10 floating within it to the location where heat is needed. The capsule storage unit 22 requires no thermal insulation, as the capsules 10 store the thermal energy regardless of the ambient temperature. Due to the potential for leaks in the capsules 10, the capsule storage unit 22, the lines 200, and the pump 24 can be designed to be acid-resistant. A screw pump, for example, is suitable as the pump 24 to prevent damage to the capsules 10. The capsule storage unit 22 is located underground, for example. The lines 20 to the capsule storage unit 22 also do not require insulation.

[0071] Optionally (e.g., with a small capsule storage tank 22), the heating system includes an additional heat generation device 23, e.g., in the form of a (conventional) boiler or a heat pump. In particularly cold periods or if the capsules 10 are used up, this can heat the transport medium T in the usual way.

[0072] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the thermostat 211 of the heating system 2. The thermostat 211 comprises, in a known manner, a thermostat head 212, which acts on a valve cone 214. The thermostat head 212 can be rotated manually, for example, to change the position of the valve head via a movable rod and includes a temperature sensor 213, which extends or retracts the rod depending on the room temperature. Alternatively, the thermostat 211 includes electronic control of the position of the rod to achieve a desired room temperature.

[0073] The valve cone 214 can be adjusted between a closed position and a fully open position, as well as in intermediate positions therebetween. In the closed position, the valve cone 214 closes a valve opening 215 of the inlet valve 210, through which the transport medium T with the capsules 10 enters the heating element (along the Fig. 5). In an open position, the valve opening 215 is at least partially exposed.

[0074] The tip of the valve cone 214 and the opposite cone receiving groove are wedge-shaped, for example, so that the flow of the transport medium T is sharply divided when the valve closes. This prevents damage to the capsules 10 due to crushing.

[0075] The inlet valve 210 has an opening cross-section Q at least in the fully open position. The capsules 10 have a diameter D that is smaller than the opening cross-section Q, in particular significantly smaller.

[0076] The triggering device 12 is located downstream of the inlet valve 210. The incoming capsules 10 flow past the triggering device 12 and are activated in the process. The width of the line 200 is reduced at the position of the triggering device 12 in order to move the capsules close to the triggering device 12. For example, the line is wider and flatter at this point than in adjacent sections.

[0077] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a possible installation for charging the capsules 10 at a location remote from the place of heat release (such as the building 3 according to Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B).

[0078] Here, a geothermal heat source 4 is located beneath the Earth's surface E. A geothermal system 5 circulates a fluid through the heat source 4. This fluid is passed through a heat exchanger 52, through which the discharged, crystallized, i.e., solid, capsules 10 are also passed from a storage 50 for discharged capsules 10. In this process, the capsules 10 are charged, and their latent heat storage material 100 is liquefied. The charged capsules 10 are transported to a storage 51 for charged capsules 10.

[0079] The charged capsules 10 can then be transported to the site of use by means of a conveyor belt, pumped through pipes or by trucks, ships or other means of transport, e.g. to building 3 according to Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B. Since the capsules 10 store the heat, transport can also take place over long distances. In building 3, the capsules are then transported by pump 24.

[0080] A method for storing and releasing thermal energy accordingly comprises providing a plurality of capsules 10, each filled with a latent heat storage material 100 and in each of which a nucleating agent 11A-11C is arranged to trigger crystallization of the latent heat storage material 100; heating the capsules 10 by means of a heat source 4 to cause a phase change of the latent heat storage material 100 from solid to liquid; and transporting the capsules 10 with the liquid latent heat storage material 100 to a triggering device 12 spaced apart from the heat source 4, which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents 11A-11C, thereby causing movement of the respective nucleating agent 11A-11C within the respective capsule 10 to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material 100 from liquid to solid.

[0081] A method for manufacturing a heat storage capsule 10 of this type includes disposing a nucleating agent 11A-11C having a permanent magnet 110 and a metal plate 111A-111C in a latent heat storage material 100; and enclosing the latent heat storage material 100 with the nucleating agent 11A-11C with a shell 101.

[0082] The production can be carried out (as is usual in the pharmaceutical industry) by filling capsule half-shells and joining them together, as in Fig. 7A-7C illustrates.

[0083] First, two capsule half-shells H are provided for each capsule. These can be produced, for example, by (plastic) injection molding, see Fig. 7A.

[0084] Then, one or both of these capsule half-shells H is / are filled with the latent heat storage material 100 (and optionally with the metal chips 113). A nucleating agent 11A-11C is added to one of the two capsule half-shells H, see Fig. 7B.

[0085] Then the two capsule half-shells H are assembled to form a capsule 10 and firmly connected to each other, e.g. inserted into each other or, as in Fig. 7C, welded or glued together or otherwise joined together. List of reference symbols 1 system 10 capsules 100 latent heat storage material 101 Cover 102 Gas bubble 11A-11D Nucleating agents 110 Permanent magnet 111A-111C metal plate 112 jetty 113 metal shavings 114 plate 12 Release device 120 permanent magnet 2 heating system 20 Line circuit 200 line 21 Heating element 210 intake valve 211 Thermostat 212 Thermostatic head 213 temperature sensors 214 valve cone 215 Valve opening 22 capsule storage 23 Heat generating device 24 Pump 25 heat exchangers 26 solar collector 27 Pump D Diameter E Earth's surface F Fluid Q Opening cross-section T Transport medium 3 buildings 4 Heat source 5 Geothermal plant 50 storage for discharged capsules 51 memory for loaded capsules 52 heat exchangers H Capsule half-shell QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 31 02 869 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] System (1) for dissipating heat, comprising a plurality of capsules (10) each filled with a latent heat storage material (100), characterized by that a nucleating agent (11A-11D) is arranged in each of the capsules (10), wherein the system (1) further comprises a triggering device (12) which is designed to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents (11A-11D) so that a movement of the respective nucleating agent (11A-11D) is effected in the interior of the respective capsule (10) in order to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) from liquid to solid. [2] System (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the triggering device (12) comprises a permanent magnet (120). [3] System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that each of the nucleating elements (11A-11D) comprises a permanent magnet (110). [4] System (1) according to claim 3, characterized bythat each of the nucleating elements (11A-11D) comprises a plate, in particular a metal plate (111A-111D), which is connected to the permanent magnet (110) of the nucleating element (11A-11D) via a web (112). [5] System (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the metal plate (111A) of the respective nucleating agent (11A) is designed in the form of a bimetallic plate. [6] System (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the plate, in particular metal plate (111A-111D) of the respective nucleating agent (11A) is shaped according to the shape of the permanent magnet (110) of the respective nucleating agent (11A-11D) or is shaped according to the shape of a shell (101) of the respective capsule (10). [7] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that each of the nucleating agents (11B) comprises metal chips (113) which are mixed with the latent heat storage material (100). [8] System (1) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the metal chips (113) consist of or comprise aluminum. [9] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the capsules (10) have a diameter (D) of less than 1 cm, less than 5 mm, less than 1 mm or less than 0.1 mm. [10] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a gas bubble (102) is arranged in each of the capsules (10). [11] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the capsules (10) are of identical design. [12] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the latent heat storage material (100) comprises or consists of sodium acetate. [13] Heating system (2), comprising: - a circuit (20) and - at least one heating element (21), characterized by - the system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the triggering device (12) is arranged on an inlet valve (210) of the at least one heating element (21) connected to the line circuit (20), and the capsules (10) can be moved through the inlet valve (210) into the heating element (21) with the transport medium (T) flowing through the line circuit (20). [14] Heating system (2) according to claim 13, characterized by a capsule storage unit (22) connected to the line circuit (20) for storing the capsules (10). [15] Heating system (2) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized bya solar collector (26) by means of which a fluid (F) can be heated and which is in fluid communication with a heat exchanger (25) connected to the line circuit (20), in which the capsules (10) in the line circuit (20) can be heated by means of the heated fluid (F) in order to bring about a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) of the capsules (10) from solid to liquid. [16] Heating system (2) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by that the capsules (10) have a diameter (D) and the inlet valve (210) in an open state has an opening cross-section (Q) which is larger than the diameter (D). [17] Heating system (2) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized by that the transport medium (T) is a brine. [18] Heating system (2) according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized by that the transport medium (T) has a lower density than the capsules (10). [19] Capsule (10) for heat storage, comprising: - a shell (101), - a latent heat storage material (100) arranged in the casing (101) and - a nucleating element (11A-11D) arranged in the latent heat storage material (100) with a permanent magnet (110) and a plate, in particular a metal plate (111A-111D). [20] A method for producing a capsule (10) for heat storage, comprising: - arranging a nucleating agent (11A-11D) with a permanent magnet (110) and a plate, in particular a metal plate (111A-111D) in a latent heat storage material (100); and - Enclosing the latent heat storage material (100) with the nucleating agent (11A-11D) with a shell (101). [21] A method for storing and releasing thermal energy, comprising: - Providing a plurality of capsules (10), each filled with a latent heat storage material (100) and in each of which a nucleating agent (11A-11D) is arranged for initiating crystallization of the latent heat storage material (100); - heating the capsules (10) by means of a heat source (4) to cause a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) from solid to liquid; and - Transporting the capsules (10) with the liquid latent heat storage material (100) to a triggering device (12) spaced from the heat source (4), which is designed to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents (11A-11D) so as to cause a movement of the respective nucleating agent (11A-11D) inside the respective capsule (10) in order to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) from liquid to solid.

Images