HEAT STORAGE DEVICE, HEAT STORAGE ARRANGEMENT AND HEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR A HEAT STORAGE DEVICE, METHOD FOR LOADING A HEAT STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INSERT, REMOVE AND / OR REPLACE A HEATING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat storage device (100), in particular a latent heat storage device (100), and a heat storage arrangement (102) for such a device, comprising a heat storage arrangement (102) and a heating arrangement (103), wherein the heating arrangement (103) comprises at least one heating device (117) with a heating element carrier (118) and at least one heating element (119) attached to the heating element carrier (118) or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier (118).The heating element carrier (118) of at least one heating device (117) extends at least sectionally along a support plane (120), and the at least one heating device (117) can be inserted or is inserted into the interior of the volume (107) that can be filled with heat storage medium (106) or is at least partially filled with it, such that, in a state of proper insertion of the heating device (117) into the heat storage element (104), the support plane (120) of the heating element carrier (118) extends parallel to the flow axes (111, 112) of the several flow sections (109, 110). Furthermore, the invention relates to a heating arrangement (103) for a heat storage device (100) and a method for at least partially charging a heat storage device (100).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a heat storage device, in particular a latent heat storage device, wherein the heat storage device comprises a heat storage arrangement and a heating arrangement. The heat storage arrangement includes at least one heat storage element which has a volume at least partially bounded by a wall, wherein the volume can be filled, or is filled, at least partially with a heat storage medium for storing heat.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a heat storage arrangement for a aforementioned heat storage device, wherein the heat storage arrangement comprises at least one heat storage element having a volume at least partially limited by a wall, wherein the volume can be or is at least partially filled with a heat storage medium for storing heat.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a heating arrangement for a aforementioned heat storage device and / or for a aforementioned heat storage arrangement, wherein the heating arrangement comprises at least one heating device with a heating element carrier and at least one heating element attached to the heating element carrier or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for at least partially loading a aforementioned heat storage device.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for inserting, removing and / or replacing a heating device of a heating arrangement of a aforementioned heat storage device.

[0006] Generic heat storage devices, in particular generic latent heat storage devices, are generally known from the prior art, with various designs and construction examples being known from the prior art, as well as various methods for manufacturing such heat storage devices or for manufacturing corresponding components for them.

[0007] Such heat storage devices generally have one or more tubes designed to carry a heat transfer medium. One or more tubes may be surrounded by one or more fins or fin structures, as taught, for example, in WO 2011 / 069693 A1, DE 10 2017 114 141 A1, DE 10 2017 213 718 A1 or DE 10 2019 102 955 B3.

[0008] From the aforementioned DE 10 2019 102 955 B3, for example, a heat storage device is known which can be loaded or unloaded with high efficiency while being easy to manufacture, wherein the heat storage device has a storage device and a heat transfer device.The heat transfer device comprises a first flow device and a second flow device, wherein the first flow device and the second flow device are each in thermal contact with the storage device and / or with each other, and a first heat transfer medium can flow through the first flow device and a second heat transfer medium through the second flow device, wherein the first flow device is fluidically separated from the second flow device, and the heat transfer device includes at least one electrically energizable heating element that is in thermal contact with at least one of the flow devices and / or with the storage device. Furthermore, DE 10 2019 102 955 B3 discloses a method for storing or providing heat by means of a described heat storage device.

[0009] The arrangement and design of the heating arrangement, in particular the arrangement and design of the heating device(s), play an important role for the effective and efficient operation of an associated heat storage device and with regard to the associated maintenance effort. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide an alternative heat storage device, in particular an improved heat storage device, which enables particularly effective and / or efficient operation and in particular also enables particularly easy insertion, removal and / or replacement of at least one heating device, in particular an electric heating device, of the heating arrangement.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide an alternative, in particular an improved, heat storage arrangement for a previously described heat storage device, which enables a particularly effective and / or efficient operation and in particular also enables a particularly simple insertion, removal and / or replacement of at least one heating device, in particular an electric heating device, of the heating arrangement.

[0012] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an alternative, in particular an improved, heating arrangement for a previously described heat storage device, which enables a particularly effective and / or efficient operation and, in particular, can also be inserted into, removed from or replaced in a heat storage device particularly easily.

[0013] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an alternative, in particular an improved, method for at least partially charging a aforementioned heat storage device, which enables a particularly effective and / or efficient charging of the heat storage device, in particular a heat storage device that also has low maintenance requirements and allows for easy insertion, removal and / or replacement of at least one heating element of the heating arrangement.

[0014] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an alternative, in particular an improved, method for inserting, removing and / or replacing a heating device of a heating arrangement of the aforementioned heat storage device, which enables a particularly simple insertion, removal and / or replacement of at least one heating device of the heating arrangement, in particular in the case of a heat storage device, which enables effective and efficient operation.

[0015] These problems are solved by the features of the independent claims. Favorable embodiments and advantages of the invention become apparent from the further claims, the description, and the drawings. The wording of the claims is made explicit by reference to the content of the description.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the invention, a heat storage device is proposed, in particular a latent heat storage device, comprising a heat storage arrangement and a heating arrangement. The heat storage arrangement comprises at least one heat storage element having a volume at least partially bounded by a wall, wherein the volume can be, or is, at least partially filled with a heat storage medium for storing heat. Furthermore, the heat storage arrangement comprises at least one heat transfer arrangement through which heat can be supplied to and / or removed from the at least one heat storage element. The heat transfer arrangement comprises one or more straight flow sections, each with a flow axis, wherein the flow sections can be traversed by a heat transfer medium along its flow axis.can be flowed through.

[0017] The heat storage device has several flow sections, which may in particular be assigned to several heat transfer arrangements, wherein several flow sections run at least partially within the volume of the heat storage element and are arranged with their flow axes parallel to each other, at least within the volume of the at least one heat storage element. A heat storage device can have one or more heat transfer devices, each with one or more flow sections. The heating arrangement has at least one heating device with a heating element carrier and at least one heating element attached to the heating element carrier or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier.

[0018] According to the invention, the heating element carrier of at least one heating device extends at least sectionally along a support plane, and the at least one heating device can be inserted into the interior of the volume that can be filled with heat storage medium or is at least partially filled, such that in a state of proper insertion of the heating device into the heat storage element, the support plane of the heating element carrier extends parallel to the flow axes of the several flow sections.

[0019] The at least partial extension of the heating element carrier of at least one heating device along a carrier plane, as provided in a heat storage device according to the invention, enables, in particular due to the extension of the heating element carrier in a plane, firstly an advantageous charging and discharging of the heat storage device with heat, i.e. in particular an advantageous heat supply and / or heat removal, especially into or out of the heat storage element, and secondly a simple insertion, removal and / or replacement of at least one heating device of the heating arrangement.By replacing the heating element carrier with the heating element(s) attached to it, one or more heating elements can be easily replaced, the heating element carrier being easily inserted, in particular slid into, the heat storage element due to its planar or plate-like design and preferably also easily removed.

[0020] The planar or plate-like design of at least one heating element carrier and its arrangement parallel to the flow axes of the flow sections further enables the heating element carrier to be inserted into and / or removed from the heat storage element, particularly in a direction parallel to the flow axes of the flow sections, and especially independently of one or more of the flow sections. This allows for particularly simple maintenance of the heat storage device, in particular a particularly simple replacement of one or more heating elements, for example, in the event of a defect in one or more heating elements. Such a replacement is particularly simple and quick if the heat storage medium is in a liquid state, so that the operation of the heat storage device only needs to be interrupted briefly. This makes a heat storage device according to the invention particularly economical.

[0021] The design according to the invention also allows for the simple replacement of the heating device(s), particularly in the case of electric heating devices, if an adjustment of the heating elements (for example, due to their heating power, the design of the heating elements, or the like) is necessary to improve the performance or function of the heat storage device. For example, if a heating device with a different arrangement (in particular, a different geometry) of heating elements is required, it can be pre-assembled outside the heat storage device, whereby, in particular, the desired arrangement of heating elements can be mounted on a corresponding heating element carrier, and then only the corresponding heating element carriers need to be replaced.

[0022] By designing at least one heating element carrier in a planar or plate-like manner, at least in sections (where the heating element carrier can in some embodiments extend completely, i.e. over its entire extent, in a planar manner), many heating elements can be arranged on a small area, or planar heating elements can be used, and a large heat transfer surface can be provided, via which heat can be supplied to the heat storage element efficiently and effectively.

[0023] This arrangement is particularly suitable for the use of one or more electric heating devices.

[0024] A “heat storage device” within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a device which is designed and configured to store thermal energy in the form of heat, at least temporarily, and in particular to release at least part of the stored thermal energy again when required.

[0025] A “heat storage arrangement” within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be an arrangement which is designed and configured to store thermal energy in the form of heat, at least temporarily, and in particular to release at least part of the stored thermal energy again when required.

[0026] A "heating arrangement" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be, in particular, an arrangement configured to generate and release thermal energy. For this purpose, a heating arrangement particularly comprises at least one heating element for generating the thermal energy, wherein the heating element is particularly configured to release the generated thermal energy into the environment and / or to a component adjacent to the heating element and / or to a medium, for example, a heat storage medium, preferably over a defined area. A heating arrangement may, in one or more embodiments, in particular comprise one or more heating elements, which may preferably be arranged in a defined manner relative to one another.A heating arrangement may, in one or more embodiments, further include in particular one or more control and / or regulating devices and / or sensors for controlling and / or regulating and / or monitoring one or more heating parameters, such as a heating temperature, a heating power and / or a heating duration.

[0027] A “heat storage element” within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a component, element or assembly by means of which thermal energy can be stored at least temporarily in the form of heat, wherein, in particular, stored heat or stored thermal energy can preferably be released again at least partially when required.

[0028] The term "volume" as part of a heat storage element within the meaning of the invention refers in particular to a spatial volume, preferably a spatial volume that can be at least partially or completely filled with, or is filled with, a heat storage medium, and which may be bounded by at least one wall, and in particular by several walls. Such a "volume" may in particular be a chamber or the like. The volume of a heat storage element of a heat storage device according to the invention may in particular be a rectangular, square, or cylindrical volume, wherein the volume may be completely closed, or may also have at least one or more openings on one side, in particular preferably on its top side, especially with regard to a functional operating condition of a heat storage device.As an alternative to a rectangular, square, or cylindrical volume, the volume can also have a regular or irregular triangular, quadrilateral, n-sided, or other base and / or shape. For many applications, a shape has proven advantageous in which one or more side walls extend parallel to the flow axes of those flow sections that run at least partially inside and through the volume. Such a design allows for a particularly advantageous arrangement of the heating element carriers, especially one that enables particularly easy insertion, removal, and / or replacement of the heating element carriers.

[0029] A "heat storage medium" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be, in particular, a medium designed to store thermal energy, at least temporarily, and especially to release it again when needed. Such a heat storage medium within the meaning of the invention can, in particular, be a phase change medium (PCM) which, upon changing its state of matter, especially upon changing from solid to liquid or vice versa, can absorb or release large amounts of thermal energy, particularly at a largely constant temperature. This allows heat to be supplied to and / or removed from a phase change medium with high efficiency. Therefore, phase change media (PCMs) are particularly well suited as heat storage media and, in particular, enable the highly efficient and effective operation of an associated heat storage device.

[0030] For the purposes of the invention, a "heat transfer arrangement" is understood to be, in particular, an arrangement designed for the transfer of thermal energy, especially heat, from a heat source to a heat sink, especially by conduction, convection, and / or radiation. A heat transfer arrangement may have one or more flow sections.

[0031] In the context of the invention, a "flow section" is understood to be, in particular, a section of a body through which a fluid can flow, wherein the body is, in particular, at least partially hollow. A "flow section" can, in particular, be a section of a flow line, such as a pipe section, a filter, a screen, or another component or assembly through which a fluid can flow, or a combination thereof. The multiple flow sections, which extend at least partially within a volume of a heat storage element, can be assigned to a common heat transfer arrangement or distributed among several (different) heat transfer arrangements, i.e., be part of several heat transfer arrangements.

[0032] In the context of the invention, a “flow axis” is understood in particular to be an axis or a flow line along which a flow section can be at least partially traversed by a fluid, wherein the “flow axis” can in particular run through the center of the respective flow cross-sections along the flow direction, and wherein the flow axis extends in particular perpendicular to the respective flow cross-sections.

[0033] For the purposes of this invention, a "heat transfer medium" is understood to be, in particular, a medium designed to transfer thermal energy, especially from a heat source to a heat sink. A heat transfer medium can be, in particular, a fluid medium, for example, a liquid such as water, thermal oil, a glycol mixture, a molten salt, or a heating or cooling agent (as is commonly used, for example, in industrial heating or cooling processes), or a gas such as air, water vapor, or a special refrigerant, as is commonly used in air conditioning systems, heat pumps, or power plants.

[0034] A "heating device" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be, in particular, an arrangement designed to generate thermal energy, wherein a heating device is specifically designed to release the generated thermal energy into the environment and / or to a component adjacent to the heating device and / or to a medium, for example, a heat storage medium, preferably over a defined area, in particular by thermal conduction, convection, and / or radiation. A heating device may, in particular, be an electric heating device and may comprise one or more electric heating elements.

[0035] A “heating element carrier” within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a support device which is designed to receive and / or support (in particular “to carry”) at least one heating element, wherein a heating element carrier can in principle be any type of structure which is designed to receive and / or support at least one heating element.

[0036] In a heat storage device according to the invention, at least one heating element carrier extends at least partially in a support plane. In one or more embodiments of a heat storage device according to the invention, the heating element carrier can, for example, have a support structure extending in the support plane, such as a surface extending in the support plane, a corresponding frame extending in the support plane, a corresponding grid, perforated sheet, plate, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0037] A "heating element" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be, in particular, an element, component, or assembly configured to convert energy into thermal energy and, in particular, to transfer the generated thermal energy to the environment and / or to a component adjacent to the heating device and / or to a medium, for example, a heat storage medium, preferably over a defined area, in particular by thermal conduction, convection, and / or radiation. A heating element can, in particular, be an electric heating element. An electric heating element is specifically configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, wherein an electric heating element typically comprises an electrically conductive material through which current can flow and which, due to its electrical resistance, generates heat according to Joule's law.Therefore, an electric heating element can also be called a "Joule heating element." Electric heating elements generally have one or more heating conductors, in particular metallic heating conductors, for example made of nickel-chromium alloys and / or other suitably electrically conductive materials or ceramic materials. Heating elements for heat storage devices, especially electric heating elements, are generally known from the prior art, to which reference is hereby made for further details on materials and operation. An (electric) heating element can be, in particular, a wire heating element, a heating film and / or a heating rod or a heating mat or a heating fabric or the like.

[0038] In many cases, a heating element has at least one, and in particular at least two, electrical connections via which the heating element can be connected to a suitable energy source, in the case of an electric heating element, in particular to an electrical energy source. The heating power of one or more heating elements can preferably be controlled or regulated by means of a suitable control and / or regulating device and by means of a temperature measured at the heating element and / or elsewhere. Alternatively or additionally, control / regulation based on an electrical resistance resulting from the applied temperature (i.e., temperature-dependent resistance control / regulation) is also conceivable.One or more heating elements can also be designed as so-called "self-limiting heating elements", which automatically reduce their heating output when the maximum permissible temperature in the heat storage device is reached.

[0039] In the context of this invention, "thermally conductive" refers to the ability (of a material or medium) to efficiently transfer heat energy. A thermally conductive material can, in particular, conduct heat from an area of ​​higher temperature to an area of ​​lower temperature. The higher the thermal conductivity of a material, the better it can conduct heat.

[0040] For the purposes of this invention, the term "thermally contacted" refers to a contact between two parts and / or components that is designed to allow heat transfer between them, particularly at least by conduction. In particular, the contact can also be designed to allow heat transfer by convection and / or (thermal) radiation.

[0041] In one possible embodiment of a heat storage device according to the invention, the heat storage device can be designed in particular for use in a power plant, especially for use in a solar thermal or conventional power plant, wherein the heat storage device can be designed in particular to store heat generated by or in the power plant at least temporarily (between).In another possible embodiment, a heat storage device according to the invention can be designed for use in a so-called thermal energy storage power plant, in particular for use in a thermal energy storage power plant that operates according to the so-called "Carnot cycle", in which case the heat storage device can also be referred to as a so-called "Carnot battery" and can in particular be designed to temporarily store excess energy converted into heat, in particular electrical energy converted into heat, and to release at least part of the stored heat again when required, for example to generate electrical energy (electricity) using one or more steam turbines.In a further possible embodiment, a heat storage device according to the invention can also be designed for use in a so-called "ORC power plant" (Organic Rankine Cycle power plant), wherein such a power plant utilizes the so-called "Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)" for energy conversion to and from heat – another thermodynamic cycle – in which a working medium other than water (H₂O) is used, in particular an organic working medium, which preferably has a lower boiling point than water, thereby enabling the efficient use of heat sources with lower temperatures. In a further possible embodiment, a heat storage device according to the invention can also be designed and configured for energy storage for the generation of process steam.

[0042] In another possible embodiment of a heat storage device according to the invention, the heat storage device is in particular designed as a so-called "latent heat storage device".

[0043] A “latent heat storage device” within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a heat storage device which has a phase change medium (PCM) as its heat storage medium.

[0044] A heat storage device according to the invention can in particular comprise a phase change medium as the heat storage medium, wherein the phase change medium can in particular be selected from a group of phase change media which includes paraffins, salt hydrates, eutectic mixtures, certain organic compounds, certain inorganic phase change materials (such as molten salts), metals and water or ice, wherein, if a phase change medium is used as the heat storage medium, this PCM has in particular been selected according to the application and a (operating) temperature range depending thereon.

[0045] Paraffins melt and solidify within a wide temperature range of approximately 20° to 70°C and have the advantage of being chemically stable, generally non-toxic, and possessing a clearly defined melting point. They are particularly suitable for use in building climate control systems and for storing solar thermal energy.

[0046] Salt hydrates are crystalline compounds that typically contain water and can store a large amount of latent heat during phase changes. They generally have a high energy density and are inexpensive. Their melting points can be above the boiling point of water (Ts = 100°C at standard pressure). Some salt hydrates have a melting point of approximately 120°C.

[0047] Eutectic mixtures suitable as phase-change media typically consist of two or more chemical compounds with a uniform melting point; they can contain both organic and inorganic substances. These mixtures have the advantage of each having a specific melting point and can be adapted to different temperature ranges. They are used particularly in cooling applications and for temperature stabilization in storage or transport applications.

[0048] Inorganic phase change materials, such as molten salts, for example sodium and / or potassium salts and / or mixtures thereof, generally have a high melting point (especially Ts >100°C) and are particularly suitable for very high-temperature applications. They also have a high energy density and are very efficient at heat storage, especially at high temperatures. Accordingly, they are particularly suitable for high-temperature applications, such as in solar thermal power plants for storing solar energy.

[0049] For process steam applications, phase change media with a melting point Ts > 100°C (i.e., above the boiling point of water / 100°C at normal pressure) have proven particularly advantageous. Nitrate salts have been especially beneficial in this regard. Therefore, in one possible configuration, the heat storage medium could be a nitrate salt.

[0050] In many cases, water or ice can also be used as a phase change medium, which can absorb a large amount of latent heat, especially during the phase change from solid to liquid. This phase change medium is particularly cost-effective, readily available, and efficient for refrigeration applications. It is especially suitable for cooling in ice storage systems, particularly in buildings and / or for air conditioning.

[0051] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heating arrangement can, in particular, include one or more electric heating elements and, more specifically, be an electric heating arrangement. Electric heating elements or an electric heating arrangement have the advantage that they can be controlled and regulated particularly easily and precisely, thus enabling a particularly effective, efficient, and precise operation of the heat storage device.

[0052] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heating element carrier of at least one heating element is inserted into the interior of the volume of the heat storage element in such a way that, in a properly installed state, the support plane of the heating element carrier extends parallel to the flow axes of the flow sections, which run at least partially through the interior of the volume. This allows for a particularly advantageous embodiment of the heat storage element, especially a particularly space-saving design, which enables a particularly dense arrangement of the flow section and one or more heating element carriers within the volume and consequently provides a heat storage device or heat storage arrangement with particularly good heat storage properties.This also makes it possible to insert and / or remove the heating element carrier, particularly in a direction parallel to the flow axes of the flow sections, into and / or from the heat storage element, especially independently of one or more of the flow sections. This allows for particularly simple maintenance of the heat storage device, in particular the easy replacement of one or more heating elements, for example in the event of a defect.

[0053] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the several flow sections of the heat transfer arrangement can each be in thermal contact with the heat storage medium in a properly filled state of the volume, wherein the heat storage medium, with which the volume is at least partially (or completely) filled, surrounds the flow sections, in particular at least partially, and thereby thermally contacts them.

[0054] In a possible and particularly advantageous embodiment of the heat storage device, the several straight flow sections can preferably be hollow profile sections, such as pipe sections, especially with a preferably circular flow cross-section. Alternatively, however, one or more other flow cross-section shapes are also conceivable, such as a triangular, square, pentagonal, or other flow cross-section. From a flow resistance perspective, however, round or oval flow cross-sections are generally more advantageous.

[0055] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one first flow section can be assigned to a first fluid circuit and be permeable with a first heat transfer medium in a first flow direction, and in particular at least one second flow section can be assigned to a second fluid circuit and be permeable with a second heat transfer medium, in particular in a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction.

[0056] When the volume of the heat storage element is properly or functionally filled with heat storage medium, the at least one first flow section and / or the at least one second flow section are particularly preferably each in thermal contact with the heat storage medium.

[0057] Furthermore, in particular the first flow sections and the second flow sections, preferably the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit, can be fluidically separated from each other.

[0058] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heat storage device can in particular be a so-called tube bundle heat storage device, as known, for example, from the aforementioned DE 10 2017 114 141 A1 or the also mentioned DE 10 2019 102 955 B3, wherein at least one first flow section is particularly preferably in thermal contact with at least one second flow section, so that heat can be transferred from a first heat transfer medium flowing through the at least one first flow section to a second heat transfer medium flowing through the at least one second flow section and / or vice versa. In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one first flow section and the at least one second flow section can in particular be traversed in opposite directions.Provided a suitable heating device is used, this enables particularly efficient loading and / or unloading, especially axial loading and / or unloading.

[0059] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heat transfer arrangement can have one or more thermally conductive rib structure(s), each of which is thermally contacted with an outer wall of at least one flow section, and in particular is thermally coupled to this outer wall, wherein a rib structure is in particular at least partially or completely thermally contacted with one or more, preferably two, flow sections. Such a rib structure can in particular comprise several flow sections or at least partially or completely enclose them circumferentially, wherein the rib structure encloses one or more flow sections over at least a portion of its length along the flow axis, in particular over at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of its length within the volume of the heat storage element.

[0060] A "ribbed structure" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be, in particular, a structure that serves to increase the heat transfer surface area and may, in particular, have one or more outwardly projecting, especially radially outwardly projecting (straight or curved) ribs extending from a base body, which may in particular have a plurality of projections or surfaces, wherein the ribbed structure preferably comprises or consists of a thermally conductive material. In an advantageous embodiment, the geometry of the ribbed structure is adapted to the respective application and optimized with regard to heat transfer (in particular geometrically).

[0061] In one possible embodiment, the rib structure can have a dendrite-like structure or a cross-section with such a dendrite-like structure and / or correspondingly shaped ribs or "blades" extending at least partially in a radial direction, in particular curved ribs or "blades", wherein the one or more spaces between the ribs can be filled, in particular with heat storage medium, at least over a part of the longitudinal direction of the rib structure in the direction parallel to the flow axis of at least one flow axis.

[0062] Such a rib structure, with appropriate shaping and thermal conductivity properties, enables particularly efficient charging and / or discharging of a heat transfer medium, which flows through a flow section surrounded by a rib structure over a heat storage medium surrounding the rib structure, which in turn enables particularly efficient and effective operation of the heat storage device.

[0063] One or more flow sections may be made of or contain steel or another material with particularly comparable properties. Steel has good thermal conductivity combined with good strength properties and sufficiently good temperature resistance, and is compatible with many heat transfer media. One or more fin structures may be made of or consist of aluminum or another material with particularly comparable properties, with aluminum having particularly advantageous thermal conductivity properties and also being relatively lightweight, yet temperature-resistant and dimensionally stable, and compatible with many heat storage media.

[0064] One or more flow sections, in particular one or more straight flow sections, can each have a length in the range of ≥ 1 m to ≤ 10 m. For some applications, lengths of at least ≥ 2 m, ≥ 3 m, ≥ 4 m, ≥ 5 m, ≥ 6 m, ≥ 7 m or ≥ 8 m up to a maximum of ≤ 10 m, ≤ 9 m, ≤ 8 m, ≤ 7 m, ≤ 6 m, ≤ 5 m, ≤ 4 m or ≤ 3 m, and in particular of approximately 6 m, have proven to be particularly advantageous. The volume of at least one heat storage element preferably has a corresponding size, in particular an edge length of ≥ 1 m to ≤ 10 m in a direction parallel to the flow axis of at least one flow section running inside or through the interior of the volume, preferably an edge length of at least ≥ 2 m, ≥ 3 m, ≥ 4 m, ≥ 5 m, ≥ 6 m, ≥ 7 m or ≥ 8 m and at most ≤ 10 m, ≤ 9 m, ≤ 8 m, ≤ 7 m, ≤ 6 m, ≤ 5 m, ≤ 4 m or ≤ 3 m, in particular of approximately 6 m.

[0065] One or more rib structures can, in principle, be designed as described in detail in DE 10 2017 114 141 A1 or DE 10 2019 102 955 B3 mentioned above, and in particular comprise one or more flow sections, especially flow sections of two different fluid circuits (especially of two different fluid circuits) and be thermally contacted with these, and in particular also with a heat storage medium (provided the volume is filled accordingly).

[0066] To avoid contact corrosion between the flow section and the fin structure, especially in combination with steel and aluminum, appropriate corrosion protection measures can be provided, for example, appropriate coatings can be applied which preferably do not impair the thermal conductivity and / or the compatibility with the media with which the components come into contact.

[0067] At least one rib structure can extend, in particular, at least over a part of the circumference of the flow section and a part of its length in the direction of flow and be thermally connected to an outer wall of the flow section for heat transfer from the heat storage medium into the flow section, in particular to the heat transfer medium flowing through the flow section, and / or from the flow section, in particular from the heat transfer medium flowing through the flow section, into the heat storage medium.

[0068] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heat storage device can in particular be a finned tube latent heat storage device, for example a double tube register as described in DE 10 2017 213 718 A1, which has also already been mentioned at the beginning.

[0069] In a favorable embodiment, in a state where the volume of the heat storage element is properly filled with a heat storage medium and in a state where the heating element carrier is properly inserted into the heat storage element, at least one heating element of the heating element carrier can thermally contact the heat storage medium, so that the heat storage medium can be charged with heat via the at least one heating element of the heating element carrier.

[0070] Particularly preferably, at least one heating element carrier with at least one heating element is arranged within the heat storage medium or surrounded by the heat storage medium in such a way that one or more heating elements, which are attached to, received by, or integrated into the heating element carrier, preferably all of them, are directly surrounded by the heat storage medium, preferably completely (especially except for any connecting lines), and are in thermal contact with the heat storage medium. This allows for a particularly efficient and effective heat transfer between the heating element(s) of the heating element carrier and the heat storage medium.

[0071] In the context of the invention, a “properly filled state of the volume of the heat storage arrangement with a heat storage medium” is understood to be a state in which the volume of the heat storage element is filled with heat storage medium in such a way that proper operation of the heat storage device is possible.

[0072] For the purposes of the invention, a “properly installed state of the heating element carrier in the heat storage arrangement” is understood to be a state in which proper operation of the heat storage device is possible.

[0073] In the context of the invention, the term "loading with heat" refers in particular to the charging or storage of the heat storage device with thermal energy in order to store heat in the heat storage device. "Discharging" refers accordingly to the release or removal of stored thermal energy from the heat storage device.

[0074] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heat storage device can be charged, in particular via the heating arrangement, and the heat storage device can be discharged, in particular via one or more flow sections, especially via one or more flow sections of a first fluid circuit, preferably simultaneously.

[0075] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a heat storage device, the heat storage unit is designed and configured, and can be operated, in such a way that coordinated, and in particular at least partially simultaneous, charging and discharging is possible. This allows for a particularly effective and efficient operation of the heat storage device.

[0076] In a favorable alternative or additional embodiment of the heat storage device, various storage devices can also be charged via one or more flow sections, in particular via one or more flow sections of a second fluid circuit, especially at least partially or completely simultaneously with charging via the heating arrangement, in particular as described in principle in DE 10 2019 102 955 B3, which has already been mentioned several times. This enables faster charging.

[0077] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one heating element of the heating element carrier can extend, at least partially, in a heating plane that is parallel to or coincides with the support plane of the associated heating element carrier. This allows for a particularly compact design of the heating device. This, in turn, enables a particularly advantageous arrangement of the heating elements between or adjacent to the flow sections, parallel to the flow axes, and as close as possible to the flow sections. As a result, a particularly compact and therefore very space-saving arrangement can be achieved. Furthermore, such an arrangement enables efficient heat transfer between the heating element and the flow section via the heat storage medium in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0078] For the purposes of the invention, a "heating plane" is understood in particular to be a plane in which at least one heating element extends at least partially.

[0079] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one heating element of the heating element carrier can extend, at least partially, in a direction perpendicular to the flow axes of the multiple flow sections within the volume of the heat storage element. With such an arrangement, heat can be introduced into the heat storage medium over a larger area via the heating element, using a simple design and few components. Furthermore, such an arrangement enables the introduction of heat into a heat storage medium surrounding the heating device in a defined zone that extends, at least partially, in a direction perpendicular to the flow axes of the multiple flow sections within the volume of the heat storage element. This allows for particularly advantageous operation of the heat storage device.

[0080] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one heating element of the heating element carrier can extend, in particular at least partially, within the heating plane of the associated heating element carrier and at least partially in a direction perpendicular to the flow axes of the multiple flow sections within the volume of the heat storage element. This allows for a particularly compact design of the heating device. This, in turn, enables a particularly advantageous arrangement of the heating elements between or adjacent to the flow sections and parallel to the flow axes. As a result, a particularly compact and therefore very space-saving arrangement can be achieved.

[0081] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, a heating element carrier comprises, in particular, several such heating elements extending at least partially within the heating plane of the heating element carrier, which also extend in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis of the several flow sections within the volume of the heat storage element. This allows for the simple provision of a so-called multi-zone or multi-area heating arrangement, wherein the individual heating elements are, in particular, individually controllable and / or adjustable, as is known in principle from DE 10 2019 102 955 B3, which has already been mentioned several times. This allows thermal energy to be introduced into the individual zones in a time-defined manner, in particular sequentially or with a time delay.

[0082] This allows for particularly good adaptation of the loading via the heating device to an unloading via one or more flow sections, especially along or in the direction of the associated flow axis(s).

[0083] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the flow axes of the several flow sections running within the volume of the heat storage element can, with respect to a functional operating state of the heat storage device, each run in a vertical direction, wherein at least one heating element, particularly with respect to a functional operating state of the heat storage device, preferably extends at least partially in a horizontal direction. This embodiment enables, in particular, fluidic discharge in a vertical direction, especially downward discharge, and simultaneously charging via the heating device in a horizontal direction.

[0084] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, a heating element carrier can, in particular, have several such heating elements extending horizontally, at least partially, within the heating plane of the heating element carrier. These heating elements are arranged vertically one above the other and also extend in a direction perpendicular to the flow axis of the several flow sections within the volume of the heat storage element. This allows for the simple provision of a so-called multi-level heating arrangement, wherein the individual heating elements are, in particular, individually controllable and / or adjustable, enabling targeted heating in different areas, especially in different zones on different levels in a vertical direction, and thus, in particular, targeted charging in a vertical direction along the flow axes.This allows, in particular, loading via the heating arrangement to be adapted to the unloading process. This design enables, in particular, fluidic unloading in a vertical direction, especially downward unloading, and simultaneously loading via the heating device in horizontal and vertical directions, especially from above and preferably adapted to the unloading process, particularly if the heating arrangement has several heating elements arranged vertically one above the other, each extending in a horizontal direction and, in particular, being individually controllable.

[0085] In particular, with two fluid circuits and parallel flow sections that are thermally in contact with each other, one of which is assigned to the first fluid circuit and the other to the second, a particularly advantageous operation can be achieved, because in this case, for example, additional fluidic loading from above can take place, for example by means of gravity-driven condensation, and / or thus a particularly efficient and effective operation of the heat storage device can be achieved, especially in conjunction with a high-temperature heat pump (HAT heat pump) for transporting the "warm" heat transfer medium.

[0086] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one heating element can have at least one heating element that has a straight heating conductor extending in the heating plane and perpendicular to the flow direction and / or a heating conductor bent by 180 degrees (180°). A heating conductor bent by 180° can, in particular, be attached to, arranged in, or integrated into the heating element carrier in the heat storage device in the form of a "lying U" or a "U" rotated 90° to the left or right, with reference to a functional installation state of the heating element in the heat storage device.

[0087] One or more heating conductors can, in particular as an alternative or in addition to a 180° bend, be designed in a meandering shape, at least in sections. This design allows for a particularly advantageous routing of corresponding connecting cables through which (electrical) energy can be supplied to the heating element.

[0088] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, each heating element can have at least one, and in particular two, connecting leads, wherein one or more connecting leads from one or more heating elements of a heating device are guided along a side edge of the heating element carrier. In particular, one or more connecting leads are preferably led upwards out of the heat storage element, preferably parallel to the support plane of the heating element carrier, and especially in a connecting lead channel.

[0089] For the purposes of the invention, a "connection conductor channel" is understood to be, in particular, a type of cable channel into which one or more connection leads of the heating element can be guided, at least partially or over a longer distance.

[0090] In this case, a 180° bend in the heating element allows, particularly in the case of elongated heating wires or wire-like heating elements or conductors, the simple routing of connecting leads, which are each attached to one end of the heating element, from the heat storage element on only one side of the heating element carrier. This results in a significantly simplified design, especially a much simpler routing of the connecting leads.

[0091] One or more heating elements can also have a common neutral conductor, wherein the neutral conductor, in particular together with at least part of the connecting conductor(s), can be led out of the heat storage element on one side of the heating element carrier, preferably also in and / or through a connecting conductor channel, especially upwards. This allows for a particularly simple and compact design of the heat storage device.

[0092] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one heating element, based on a functional installation state of the heating element in a heat storage device, can have several heating elements arranged one above the other in the direction of flow, which can be operated independently of one another, and in particular, controlled independently of one another. This allows for the simple provision of a so-called multi-zone or multi-range heating arrangement, or, depending on the arrangement of the individual heating elements, also a multi-level heating arrangement. This enables, in particular, targeted heating, and in some cases, also targeted charging that is coordinated with discharging. This allows for a particularly advantageous operation of a heat storage device according to the invention.

[0093] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heat storage device can be designed, in particular the flow sections are designed and arranged within the volume of the heat storage element, such that within the volume of the heat storage element there is a region extending parallel to the flow axes of the flow sections, preferably at least partially rectangular, and kept free of components of the heat transfer arrangement. In this region, the heating element carrier of at least one heating device, together with at least one heating element attached to or integrated into the heating element carrier, can be inserted or is inserted. This allows a heating element carrier to be placed in the volume of the heat storage element in a simple manner, for example by inserting it from above, and advantageously close to one or more flow sections.This allows for effective and efficient charging of the heat storage device. It also enables easy removal or replacement of a heating element carrier from the unit. It is particularly advantageous if the heat storage device is designed so that the heating element carrier can be inserted and / or removed. This results in a heat storage device requiring minimal maintenance.

[0094] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, a (vertical) channel for one or more connecting cables and / or one or more neutral conductors can also be provided, in particular a connecting cable channel through which preferably one or more connecting cables from one or more heating elements and / or one or more neutral conductors can be routed, and which is kept clear between the flow sections in the volume of the heat storage element. This ensures that sufficient installation space is available for the connecting cables and, if applicable, one or more neutral conductors.

[0095] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least some of the flow sections can be arranged in a row, preferably such that the flow axes of the flow sections arranged in the row lie in a common plane, in particular in a plane that extends parallel to the support plane of at least one heating element support, and especially parallel to the support plane of a heating element support arranged adjacent to the respective row. This allows for a particularly compact arrangement of the heat storage device, in particular a space-saving arrangement (i.e., a "high-density" arrangement). Furthermore, the heat storage element can be charged particularly efficiently and effectively.If a heating device has several vertically arranged heating elements that can also be controlled separately, zone-dependent loading and / or unloading is possible, especially when coordinated with each other.

[0096] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the flow sections can be arranged, in particular, in a first row and in at least one further row, wherein the flow axes of the flow sections of the first row extend, in particular, in a first plane, and the flow axes of the flow sections of the at least one further row preferably extend in at least one further plane, the second plane extending, in particular, parallel to and at a defined distance from the first plane. One or more rows can be arranged, in particular, laterally offset from one another. This allows, on the one hand, a particularly compact arrangement of a heat storage device with multiple rows of flow sections to be provided, in particular a particularly space-saving arrangement. Furthermore, the heat storage element can be charged particularly efficiently and effectively.If a heating device has several vertically arranged heating elements that can also be controlled separately, zone-dependent loading, especially loading tailored to unloading, is possible.

[0097] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heating arrangement can have several heating elements, wherein, in particular, at least one heating element with a heating element carrier, having at least one heating element attached to the heating element carrier or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier, can be arranged adjacent to each row of flow sections, wherein the heating element carrier(s) is / are arranged adjacent to the respective flow sections of the associated row such that the support plane of the heating element carrier extends parallel to the common plane in which the flow axes of the adjacent row of flow sections extend. This allows for a particularly compact arrangement of a heat storage device, and in particular a space-saving arrangement.Furthermore, the heat storage element can be charged particularly efficiently and effectively because a heating element carrier with one or more heating elements is located near, and especially adjacent to, each row. If a heating device has several vertically arranged heating elements that can also be controlled separately, zone-dependent charging, particularly charging tailored to discharging, is possible.

[0098] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, one or more heating element carriers can be arranged in the free space, particularly in a space free of ribs of a rib structure, i.e., especially in a rib-free zone, between the flow sections, wherein preferably no rib or part thereof of a rib structure projects into this rib-free zone, and wherein at least one free zone has a rectangular or cuboid volume. This ensures in a simple manner that sufficient space is available for the heating element carrier(s).

[0099] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one rib structure can be designed such that it does not extend beyond a defined outer contour in a plane perpendicular to the flow axis around the associated flow section(s) with which the rib structure is thermally contacted. That is, the rib structure does not project radially beyond this outer contour, which can be circular or polygonal, in particular triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal, and can be regular or irregular, symmetrical or asymmetrical. This design of the rib structure enables a particularly dense arrangement of several flow sections with rib structures within a volume of a heat storage element, i.e., in particular with a high packing density.As a result, a particularly compact heat storage device with high heat transfer performance can be provided.

[0100] A “surface contour” within the meaning of the invention is understood in particular to be a contour which represents an outer boundary or an outer outline of a body, a surface or a volume and which defines the maximum (spatial) extent.

[0101] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one enclosing contour around at least one rib structure can have at least one straight side edge, wherein the at least one straight side edge of the enclosing contour runs, in particular, parallel to the support plane of at least one heating element, and especially parallel to a heating element arranged immediately adjacent to it. This allows for a particularly compact arrangement of the heat storage device, and in particular, a space-saving arrangement. Furthermore, in some cases, especially with a corresponding design of the rib structure, particularly good heat transfer in the direction of the rib structure can be achieved, and thus the heat storage element can be charged and / or discharged particularly efficiently and effectively.

[0102] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, all flow sections of a series can have such a ribbed structure with a cladding contour having at least one straight side edge and, in particular, be arranged such that the straight side edges of the cladding contours run parallel to the plane along which the flow axes of the flow sections of the associated series of flow sections are arranged and / or parallel to the support plane of at least one heating element, in particular parallel to the support plane of an adjacent heating element. This allows, on the one hand, a particularly compact arrangement of a heat storage device, in particular a particularly space-saving arrangement. Furthermore, particularly good heat transfer in the direction of the flow sections can be achieved, and thus the heat storage element can be charged particularly efficiently and effectively.

[0103] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, two rows of flow sections can be arranged offset from one another and designed such that their associated enclosing contours, in particular the enclosing contours encompassing the rib structures surrounding the flow sections, interlock in a toothed fashion on their sides opposite the straight side edges. This allows for a particularly compact arrangement of the heat storage device, and especially a space-saving arrangement.

[0104] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one rib structure can be designed and / or arranged relative to the flow section(s) with which the rib structure is thermally contacted in such a way that the flow axis(s) of the associated flow section(s) runs, at least partially, eccentrically to a surface enclosed by a surface perpendicular to the flow axis. This surface is defined by a centroid of an area enclosed by an associated enveloping contour extending around the rib structure. This arrangement allows for a particularly compact configuration of several flow sections with their surrounding rib structures, while simultaneously achieving particularly good heat transfer properties.In particular, such a design allows the heating element carrier and thus the heating elements to be arranged particularly close to one or more flow sections, thereby enabling particularly efficient loading of the heat transfer medium flowing through the flow section with heat via the heating device.

[0105] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heat storage arrangement can be designed such that the heating element carrier of the at least one heating element can be inserted into the volume, which can be filled with or is at least partially filled with heat storage medium, in an insertion direction that runs, in particular, parallel to the flow axes of the flow sections. The heating element carrier of the at least one heating element can be inserted, in particular, from above, with reference to a functional operating state of the heat storage device. This allows for particularly easy insertion, removal, and / or replacement of the heating element. Furthermore, this embodiment allows the use of a lifting / lowering device, such as a crane or the like, which makes replacement even easier.Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary to drain the heat storage medium from the volume. The volume simply needs to be opened at the top or accessible from above. Particularly if the heat storage medium is liquid or at least sufficiently molten, and the heat storage device is designed accordingly, the heating element can be inserted and / or removed even when the volume is filled with heat storage medium. This allows for a heat storage device in which the heating elements are particularly easy to insert, remove, and / or replace. Consequently, a heat storage device requiring very little maintenance can be provided.

[0106] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one wall of the heat storage device, which delimits the volume that can be filled with or is filled with heat storage medium, can have at least one guide rail on its inner side for guiding the heating element carrier, in particular for guiding the heating element carrier during insertion and / or removal and / or for holding / supporting the heating element carrier in an inserted state. This can significantly simplify the insertion / removal and / or positioning of the heating element carrier within the volume.

[0107] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, two opposing guide rails can be provided, into which one (longitudinal) side edge of the heating element carrier can engage. These guide rails can be arranged, in particular, on opposite walls of the volume (to accommodate both longitudinal side edges of a heating element carrier). One or more guide rails need not extend over the entire length of the side edges of the heating element carrier. In some cases, it may also be sufficient if one or more guide rails are designed, for example, only for section-by-section guidance and guide a heating element carrier only in sections.One or more guide rails can, in particular, have a U- or V-shaped profile or any other shape suitable as a guide rail, wherein the shape of the guide rails and the geometry of the (longitudinal) side edges of at least one heating element carrier are specifically coordinated. One or more guide rails can, in particular at their upper end or at their beginning, have an insertion aid such as a chamfer or the like to facilitate the insertion of a heating element into the guide rail.

[0108] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one wall heating element can be provided on or in at least one wall surrounding the volume that can be at least partially filled with or is filled with a heat storage medium, in order to introduce heat into the interior of the volume via the wall, in particular into a heat storage medium with which the volume is at least partially filled. This allows for faster charging and improved operation of the heat storage device. In particular, this allows for faster and improved introduction of heat into the heat storage medium from the outside, especially in a radial direction into the interior, particularly up to a first heating element.

[0109] A "wall heating element" within the meaning of the invention is understood to be, in particular, a heating element designed to heat a wall or wall of a body and / or room. For advantageous heating of a wall or wall, the wall heating element can, in particular, be attached to or on the wall or wall, or be integrated into the wall or wall.

[0110] For particularly good heat transfer, the wall heating element contacts the wall or surface, especially thermally, preferably with the largest possible heat transfer contact area.

[0111] In particular, one or more wall heating elements can be arranged distributed across the wall surface, especially axially (parallel to the flow axes) one above the other, especially vertically one above the other and / or next to each other, and especially horizontally. Preferably, one or more wall heating elements can be individually and independently controlled and / or regulated, especially in the axial direction (and / or in the vertical and / or horizontal direction), so that individual zones can be selectively heated in the axial direction by means of wall heating elements arranged one above the other and / or next to each other.

[0112] One or more wall heating elements can be arranged on an inner side of a wall or partition that defines the volume. Alternatively or additionally, one or more wall heating elements can be arranged on an outer side of a wall or partition that defines the volume. However, an arrangement on an outer side requires a thermally conductive wall of the volume. For the most efficient operation of the heat storage device, thermal insulation can be provided around the outside of the volume, at least partially, and in particular essentially completely. In this case, it can be advantageous to arrange one or more wall heating elements on one or more inner sides of the thermal insulation, or in particular within the thermal insulation (within or outside the wall of the volume, but within the thermal insulation).

[0113] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, at least one wall heating element can be designed similarly or analogously to a heating device described above and, in particular, can have a heating element carrier with a support plane and at least one (wall) heating element attached thereto, wherein the heating element carrier can, in particular, be arranged parallel to the respective wall and, in particular, can be attached to this wall. Such an embodiment allows for a particularly simple replacement and / or a particularly simple adaptation of a wall heating element.

[0114] In a favorable embodiment of the heat storage device, the heating arrangement may in particular include an electric heating arrangement, and the heat storage device may further include an electrical energy supply device for providing electrical energy to the heating arrangement and supplying it with it.

[0115] According to a second aspect of the invention, a heat storage arrangement for a previously described heat storage device according to the first aspect of the invention is proposed, wherein the heat storage arrangement comprises at least one heat storage element having a volume at least partially bounded by a wall, the volume being at least partially fillable or already filled with a heat storage medium for storing heat. Furthermore, the heat storage arrangement comprises at least one heat transfer arrangement by means of which heat can be supplied to and / or removed from the at least one heat storage element. For this purpose, the heat transfer arrangement comprises one or more straight flow sections, each with a flow axis, wherein the one or more flow sections can each be permeated by a heat transfer medium along its / their flow axis.The heat storage arrangement has several flow sections which run at least partially inside the volume of the heat storage element and are arranged with their flow axes parallel to each other, at least inside the volume of the at least one heat storage element.

[0116] According to the invention, the heat storage arrangement, in particular at least one heat storage element, further comprises a heating arrangement or is configured to accommodate a heating arrangement which has at least one heating device with a heating element carrier and at least one heating element attached to the heating element carrier or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier, wherein the heating element carrier extends at least section by section along a support plane and the at least one heating device can be inserted or is inserted into the interior of the volume of the heat storage element of the heat storage arrangement such that, in a state of proper insertion of the heating device into the heat storage element, the support plane of the heating element carrier extends parallel to the flow axes of the several flow sections.

[0117] According to a third aspect of the invention, a heating arrangement is proposed for a heat storage device described above according to the first aspect of the invention and / or for a heat storage arrangement according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the heating arrangement comprises at least one heating device with a heating element carrier and at least one heating element attached to the heating element carrier or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier, and the heating element carrier of at least one heating device extends at least sectionally along a carrier plane, and the at least one heating device can be inserted into the interior of the volume of the heat storage element of the heat storage arrangement that can be filled with heat storage medium or at least partially filled with heat storage medium.that, in a properly installed state of the heating device in the heat storage element, the support plane of the heating element support extends parallel to the flow axes of the several flow sections, in particular parallel to the flow sections that run at least sectionally through the interior of the volume of the heat storage element.

[0118] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for at least partially loading a heat storage device designed according to the first aspect of the invention is proposed, wherein the volume of at least one heat storage element of the heat storage arrangement is at least partially filled with a heat storage medium for storing heat, and the heating element carrier of at least one heating device of the heating arrangement is inserted into the interior of the volume at least partially filled with heat storage medium such that the support plane of the heating element carrier extends parallel to the flow axes of the several flow sections, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Activating the heating arrangement and generating heat by means of the at least one heating device of the heating arrangement, and - Charging the heat storage device by introducing the heat generated by the at least one heating device into the heat storage medium, in particular by heat conduction.

[0119] Provided that a suitable design is used, the heat storage device can in principle be operated similarly to that described in DE 10 2019 102 955 B3, which has already been mentioned several times and to which reference is made for further details, only with the difference that the heating arrangement is designed differently and does not require a third flow section within a bundle and is not tubular in shape, but has at least one heating device with a heating element carrier with a support plane and a heating element provided on / therein it.

[0120] In a particularly preferred embodiment, if the heat storage device has several heating devices and thus also several heating elements, the individual heating elements can be controlled or regulated independently of one another, wherein the individual heating elements can preferably be controlled or regulated zone-specifically, in particular in such a way that optimized charging of the heat storage device can be achieved, in particular optimized charging coordinated with a discharge, wherein it is particularly preferred that the activation of the heating arrangement takes place in such a way that, in the case of a discharge downwards in a vertical direction (relative to a functional operating state of the heat storage device), the charging, in particular at least partially, takes place from above via the heating arrangement, preferably also in a vertical direction.

[0121] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a method for inserting, removing and / or replacing a heating element of a heating arrangement of a heat storage device designed according to the first aspect of the invention is proposed, wherein the volume of at least one heat storage element of the heat storage arrangement is at least partially filled with a heat storage medium for storing heat, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Placing the heat storage medium, in particular by introducing heat into the heat storage medium, in the area around the at least one heating device or in the area in which the heating device is to be used, into a state and / or maintaining a state in which the at least one heating device can be removed from the volume without damage, in particular upwards, or inserted into the volume, in particular from above, with reference to a functional operating state of the heat storage device, and - Removal, especially upwards, and / or insertion, especially from above, of the at least one heating device, in relation to a functional state of use of the heat storage device.

[0122] For the purposes of the invention, the term "bringing into a state" means in particular at least partial liquefaction, preferably at least partial melting or liquefaction of the heat storage medium, in particular by introducing heat into the heat storage medium with which the volume is at least partially filled, especially if the heat storage medium is a phase change medium, provided that the heat storage medium is in a solid state or not sufficiently liquid at the beginning of the process to ensure that a heating device can be removed from or inserted into the volume without damage.In an advantageous embodiment, heat can be introduced into the heat storage medium, in particular by means of at least one heating element of the heating arrangement, especially with a heating element that is not intended to be removed, preferably with a heating element arranged adjacent to the heat storage element and / or one or more wall heating elements. If the heat storage medium can be charged via a heat transfer medium and at least one flow section, as described, for example, in DE 10 2019 102 955 B3, heat can also be introduced into the heat storage medium via this alternative or additional method.

[0123] If the heat storage medium is already in a sufficiently liquid state, this state is preferably only maintained, which is particularly preferably done by introducing heat into the heat storage medium as needed to avoid a phase change to the solid state.

[0124] If the heat storage medium, especially if it is a phase change medium, is sufficiently liquefied or melted, the corresponding heating elements located in the area where the heat storage medium is sufficiently liquefied or melted can be removed from and / or inserted into the heat storage element without major difficulties.

[0125] To bring a heat storage device according to the invention into a state suitable for the removal of a heating element, heat is preferably introduced into the heat storage medium surrounding the heating element in an area around the heating element to be removed. In an advantageous embodiment, the heating element to be removed can at least partially continue to be used and, in particular, can only be switched off and removed once the desired state of the heat storage medium has been reached.

[0126] In principle, the heat required for this can alternatively or additionally be introduced into the heat storage medium in other ways, e.g. via one or more other heating devices that are not to be removed, via a heat transfer medium that flows through one or more flow sections in the relevant area, and / or via one or more wall heating elements, provided that the heat storage device has such elements.

[0127] If the heat storage medium is initially in a solid state, and a heating device, in particular a heating element carrier with at least one heating element, is to be used, the heat storage medium is brought into the aforementioned state, in which the heating device can be used without damage, particularly by introducing heat. The heat required for this can be introduced into the heat storage medium, in particular via one or more wall heating elements and / or via one or more other, preferably adjacent, heating devices and / or, as also described above, via a heat-charged heat transfer medium that flows through the volume via at least one flow section, particularly in the relevant region of the heat storage medium.

[0128] Preferably, the heat storage medium is liquefied or melted along an insertion direction. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the heating device can first be placed on the heat storage medium or at least partially inserted into it from above, and at least one heating element of the heating device can be activated. This heating element then introduces additional heat into the heat storage medium during insertion, particularly against the insertion direction (when inserted from above, the heating device is initially activated in its lower region). This enhances the liquefaction or melting of the heat storage medium and facilitates easier insertion or "sinking" of the heating device into the heat storage medium.

[0129] Guide rails can support or enable the guidance of the heating device, in particular the heating element carrier, during insertion and / or removal.

[0130] If the heat storage medium is solid in its initial state before insertion and several heating devices are to be used, and the heat storage device has one or more wall heating elements, the heat storage medium can preferably first be melted using the wall heating element(s), in particular from above, and preferably in the area of ​​a "fin-free zone" in which a heating device is to be placed that is closest to the associated wall or the wall heating element(s) in order to be able to insert a first heating element here without having to liquefy the entire heat storage medium.Once the first heating element (a heating element closest to the wall) is installed, the next heating element can be switched on / activated (as soon as it is connected) and (additionally) used to melt a further inner, especially adjacent, area to create another "rib-free zone" in order to be able to insert another heating device. Drawings

[0131] Further advantages become apparent from the drawings in the accompanying figures and the following description of the figures. The figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, whereby the invention is depicted schematically in the accompanying, non-limiting figures. All features described in more detail and recognizable in the accompanying figures can be considered essential to the invention.

[0132] The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations. In other words, the individual features can be implemented alone or in combination as sub-combinations in an embodiment of the invention and can represent advantageous and, in themselves, patentable embodiments.

[0133] All features, configurations, and advantages described with reference to the heat storage device may only be described in connection with the heat storage device, but—to avoid repetition—may, where technically feasible, apply not only to the heat storage device but also, correspondingly, to a heat storage arrangement, a heating arrangement, and the methods described herein according to the invention, and vice versa. That is, one or more features, functions, or advantages described only in connection with a heat storage device may also be part of a heat storage arrangement and / or a heating arrangement and / or be characteristic of one of the methods described according to the invention, provided this is technically feasible.

[0134] They show, for example: Fig. 1 a schematic diagram to illustrate the function and possible structure of a heat storage device according to the invention using a first embodiment, wherein the heat storage device comprises a heat storage arrangement with several heat storage elements and a heating arrangement with several heating devices; Fig. 2 shows one of the heating devices of the heat storage device Fig. 1 according to the invention in side view; Fig. 3 an embodiment of a heat transfer arrangement for a heat storage device according to the invention in perspective view; Fig. 4 a section through a further embodiment of a heat transfer arrangement for a heat storage device according to the invention; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a heat storage element for a heat storage arrangement or for a heat storage device according to the invention in top view; Fig. 6 An embodiment of a heat transfer arrangement in schematic representation in top view; Fig. 7 a schematic representation of an embodiment of an arrangement of heat transfer arrangements within a heat storage element of a heat storage device according to the invention with several “fin-free zones” for arranging at least one heating element carrier with one or more heating elements between the heat transfer arrangements within the heat storage element in a top view; and Fig. 8 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of an arrangement of heat transfer arrangements within a heat storage element of a heat storage device according to the invention with several “fin-free zones” for arranging at least one heating element carrier with one or more heating elements between the heat transfer arrangements within the heat storage element in top view. Embodiments of the invention

[0135] In the accompanying drawings and figures, similar or equivalent components are numbered with the same reference symbols. The figures merely show examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

[0136] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the respective components of the device or the respective process steps, as these components and processes can vary. The terms used here are intended solely to describe particular embodiments and are not used restrictively. Furthermore, where the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description or in the claims, this also refers to the plural of these elements, unless the overall context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0137] The directional terminology used below, including terms like "left," "right," "above," "below," "in front," "behind," "after," and the like, serves only to improve the understanding of the figures and is in no way intended to limit their generality. The components and elements depicted, their interpretation, and their use may vary according to the considerations of a person skilled in the art and be adapted to the specific applications.

[0138] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the function and possible structure of a heat storage device 100 according to the invention using a first embodiment, wherein this heat storage device 100 is a latent heat storage device 100 and has a heat storage arrangement 102 with several, in particular three, heat storage elements 104 and a heating arrangement 103 with several heating devices 117.

[0139] Each of the three heat storage elements 104 has a cuboid volume 107, at least partially bounded by a wall 105. The volumes 107 each have a square base and extend upwards perpendicular to the drawing surface. The volumes 107 are bounded at their bottom by a base plate (not shown here) and laterally by the walls 105, which in this example are formed by the side surfaces 105 of the volumes. The volumes 107 are closed at the top by a lid (not shown here). To minimize heat transfer from the heat storage element 104 to the environment and thus maximize the efficiency of the heat storage device 100, the walls 105, as well as the base plate and / or the lid, can be thermally insulated, particularly from the environment or the outside.

[0140] In the illustrated embodiment, the volumes 107 are each filled with a heat storage medium 106, specifically with a phase change medium (PCM), in this case in particular with sodium nitrate, which has a melting point of Ts = 306 °C.

[0141] The heat storage arrangement 102 comprises several heat transfer arrangements 108, through which heat can be supplied to and removed from the individual heat storage elements 104. In the illustrated embodiment, each of these heat transfer arrangements 108 has several straight flow sections 109 and 110, each formed by corresponding pipe sections 109, 110 that run perpendicular to the drawing surface or, with respect to a functional operating state of the heat storage device 100, in a vertical direction.

[0142] Each of these flow sections 109 and 110 is permeable to a heat transfer medium 113 or 114, such as water or steam, along its respective flow axis 111 or 112, and runs at least partially within one of the volumes 107 of the heat storage elements 104. The flow sections 109 and 110 are each arranged such that their flow axes 111 and 112 run parallel to each other within the respective volume 107, as shown in the illustration in Fig. 1 perpendicular to the drawing surface or plane and thus in a vertical direction.

[0143] The flow sections 109 are each assigned to a first fluid circuit 115, and the flow sections 110 to a second fluid circuit 116, wherein the first and second fluid circuits are fluidically separated from each other. This allows the use of different heat transfer media 113 and 114, as well as particularly efficient charging and discharging of the individual heat storage elements 104, in particular at least partially simultaneous charging and discharging.

[0144] For particularly efficient loading and unloading, the flow sections 109 can be traversed in a first flow direction and the second flow sections 110 in a second flow direction, which runs opposite to the first flow direction (cf. Fig. 3, symbolized by the arrows in the upper section of flow sections 109 and 110), as is generally known from the prior art, for example in DE 10 2017 213 718 A1 or DE 10 2019 102 955 B3, to which reference is made for further details on loading and unloading.

[0145] In the exemplary heat storage device 100, the flow sections 109 are each designed for charging the respective associated heat storage element 104, and the flow sections 109 can be filled from bottom to top with a heated, i.e., charged, heat transfer medium 113. The flow sections 110 are each designed for discharging the respective associated heat storage element 104 and can be filled from top to bottom with a heat transfer medium 114 to remove heat from the heat storage element 104, in particular from the heat storage medium 106 surrounding the heat transfer arrangement 108.

[0146] Each of these flow sections 109 and 110 has a thermally conductive outer wall, in particular made of metal, for example steel, at least in the area within the associated volume 107, which is in thermal contact with the heat storage medium 106, with which the individual volumes 107 are at least partially filled, so that heat can be transferred from the interior of the flow sections 109 and 110 by thermal conduction into the heat storage medium 106, which surrounds or "flows around" the flow sections 109 and 110, or conversely from the heat storage medium 106 into the interior of the flow sections 109 and 110.

[0147] For improved heat transfer, the flow sections 109 and 110 can be surrounded, at least partially, by a rib structure 121 made of thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. An example of how such a rib structure 121 can be designed is shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. Four are shown, which will be described in more detail later.

[0148] The based on Fig. The heat storage device 100 described by way of example can be charged not only via the flow sections 109 and a corresponding heat transfer medium 113, with which the flow sections 109 can be supplied, but also by means of several heating devices 117, which are part of the heating arrangement 103, wherein in this heat storage device 100 each heat storage element 104 has at least one such heating device 117.

[0149] The heating devices 117 are also arranged inside the volumes 107, in such a way that they are surrounded by the heat storage medium 106 and are thermally contacted with it, so that heat generated by the heating devices 117 can be transferred to the heat storage medium 106, in particular by heat conduction.

[0150] The heating devices 117 are in particular electric heating devices 117 which are electrically connected to an electrical power supply device 101 and can be supplied with electrical energy for operation via this device.

[0151] In the heat storage device 100, the individual heating elements 117 are held in place in particular by means of guide rails 135, which are each attached to the inside of the wall 105, as is shown for example in the Fig. The heat storage element 104 shown on the far right is shown. However, corresponding brackets or guide rails can also be attached to the base plate, as with the other two heat storage elements 104 of the heat storage device 100.

[0152] According to the invention, each of the heating devices 117 has a heating element carrier 118 and, in this embodiment, several electrical heating elements 119 in the form of electrical heating wires 119 bent by 180° attached to the heating element carrier 118 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2).

[0153] Fig. Figure 2 shows one of the heating devices 117 of the heat storage device 100. Fig. 1 according to the invention in side view, in particular the heat storage element 104 shown on the far right. Fig. 1, in which the planar design of the heating element carrier 118 and its extension along a support plane 120, as well as the arrangement and fastening of the individual heating elements 119 to the heating element carrier 118, can be clearly seen. Likewise, the design of the individual heating elements as electrical heating wires 119 bent by 180° is clearly visible, with the heating device 117 comprising a total of ten heating elements 119 of this type arranged one above the other.

[0154] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the heating element carrier 118 is in particular a grid structure, preferably made of metal, and in particular thermally conductive. Alternatively, the heating element carrier can also be, for example, a perforated sheet, a plate, a frame, or the like, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the heating element carrier 118 is thermally conductive in order to be able to transfer the heat generated by the heating elements 119 to a surrounding heat storage medium 106 on both sides of the carrier plane 120.

[0155] In this embodiment, the individual heating elements 119 are arranged in a heating plane 124 that extends parallel to the support plane 120, whereby in this example the heating elements 119 are arranged only on one side of the heating element support 118. In principle, they can be arranged on both sides, even alternately.

[0156] In this embodiment, the individual heating elements 119 are each formed by electrical heating wires 119, which, with reference to the functional operating state of the heat storage device 100 and the functional installation state of the heating device 117 in this heat storage device 100, extend essentially in a horizontal direction, and thus perpendicular to the flow axes 111 and 112 of the flow sections 109 and 110.

[0157] In each case, a first section of the individual heating elements 119 is horizontally connected to a first connecting line 125, with reference to the illustration in Fig. 2 from left to right. After a bend of 180°, a second section is routed horizontally from right to left back to the second connecting line 125, wherein in this embodiment all connecting lines 125 of all heating elements 119 of the heating device 117 are parallel to a side edge 126, as shown in the illustration in Fig. 2 parallel to the left side edge 126 of the heating element carrier 118, the connecting leads 125 are led upwards out of the heat storage element 104, in particular in a connecting conductor channel 127 (not shown here). One or more heating elements 119 can also be designed as simple, straight wires (without bending), and / or at least partially or completely meandering, or as heating fabric or heating film, etc.

[0158] The individual heating elements 119 can be supplied with electrical energy from the power supply unit 101 via the connecting lines 125. A control device (not shown in the figures) allows the energy supply to each heating element 119 to be controlled or regulated independently, enabling separate operation of the individual heating elements 119. The superimposed arrangement of the individual heating elements 119 in the axial or vertical direction, relative to the flow axes 111 and 112, allows for targeted axial charging of the associated heat storage element 104 over a larger area in the horizontal direction. For particularly advantageous operation of the heat storage device 100, the individual heating elements 119 can be controlled individually and independently of one another, such that by selectively switching individual heating elements 119 on and off, a specific axial or vertical load can be achieved.A melt front moving vertically from top to bottom can be generated in the heat storage medium 106.

[0159] According to the invention, the heating devices 117 are inserted into the interior of the individual volumes 107 containing heat storage medium 106 in such a way that the support planes 120 of the heating element supports 118 extend parallel to the flow axes 111 and 112 of the flow sections 109 and 110 of the individual heat transfer arrangements 108. This enables particularly easy insertion and removal, i.e., particularly easy replacement, of the heating devices 117.

[0160] In particular, if the lid of the volumes 107 is removable, the heating devices 117 can be easily inserted into the volumes 107 from above or easily removed upwards, especially in an insertion and / or removal direction E (see figure). Fig. 2), for example, using a crane or the like. The guide rails 135 make it particularly easy to ensure safe guidance of the heating element carriers 118 and to guarantee that the heating devices 117 are each placed in the intended position within the heat storage element 104 and, in particular, do not collide with one or more rib structures 121.

[0161] Insertion and / or removal, in particular replacement, of the individual heating elements 117 in the heat storage device 100 is possible even when the volumes 107 are filled with heat storage medium 106. For this to occur, the heat storage medium 106 simply needs to be brought into a state that allows for damage-free insertion and / or removal of the heating elements 117. It is not necessary to drain or remove the heat storage medium 106 from the respective volume. Such a state can be achieved, for example, by melting or liquefying, in particular by sufficiently liquefying, the heat storage medium 106 with the heat sources available in the respective situation (heat transfer arrangements 108, one or more heating elements 117).

[0162] In some cases, it may be advantageous to provide one or more additional heating devices 117, 136 to increase the charging capacity, enable faster charging, allow charging independent of the heating devices 117 and the heat transfer arrangements 108, and / or enable supplementary charging, and / or achieve improved heat distribution. For example, one or more wall heating elements 136 may be provided to introduce heat into the interior of the volume 107 via or from the wall 105, particularly into the heat storage medium 106 with which the volume 107 is filled.

[0163] Such a wall heating element 136 can be attached to the wall 105, for example also by means of guide rails 135, and / or integrated into the wall 105. Preferably, such a wall heating element 136 is designed in a manner similar to or analogous to heating device 170 and extends in particular also parallel to the flow axes 111 of 112 of the heat transfer arrangements 108, wherein the wall heating element 136 can extend in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the at least one heating device 117, the latter possible arrangement of a wall heating element 136 being exemplified in the Fig. The principle of the heat storage element 104 shown in the middle is demonstrated.

[0164] Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a heat transfer arrangement 108 for a heat storage device 100 according to the invention in a perspective view, in which the tubular design of the flow sections 109 and 110 is clearly visible, and how their outer walls 122 and 123 are each surrounded by a rib structure 121, wherein in this case several individual rib structures 121 are arranged distributed over the length of the flow sections 109 and 110.

[0165] Each of the rib structures 121 has a rib support 138 with a thermally conductive wall 139 and corresponding ribs 137 extending in particular radially outwards (cf. Fig. 4) It has proven advantageous if the rib structures 121 can subsequently be arranged externally around the flow sections. For this purpose, the rib structure 121 can, for example, be designed in two parts and connected using appropriate locking hooks 141 (see Figure 1). Fig. 4) and in particular a closure element 140, especially under a certain tension, in a closed state on the outside of the flow sections 109, 110.

[0166] The individual ribs 137 of the rib structures 121 are preferably arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and are designed in such a way that a heat storage medium 106 surrounding the heat transfer arrangement 108 can penetrate between them, in particular up to the rib support 138, in order to thermally contact it as well, in order to form the largest possible thermal contact area for the highest possible heat transfer by thermal conduction.

[0167] In principle, it is also possible for a single rib structure 121 to extend almost the entire length of the flow sections 109, 110 within a heat storage element 104. This depends in particular on the dimensions of the flow sections 109, 110. Depending on the application and area of ​​use of the associated heat storage device 100, the flow sections 109, 110 can have lengths of approximately 1 m to 10 m. Often, they have lengths in the range of approximately 6 m. In these cases, it may be more advantageous to distribute several individual rib structures 121 over the length of the flow sections 109, 110, i.e., in the axial direction parallel to the flow axes 111 and 112.

[0168] Heat transfer arrangements 108 of this type are generally known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2017 213 718 B4, which has already been mentioned several times and to which reference is made for further details in this regard.

[0169] Fig. Figure 4 shows a section through a further embodiment of a heat transfer arrangement 108 for a heat storage device 100 according to the invention, from which a possible design of the rib structure 121 and the flow sections 109, 110 can be seen in particular.

[0170] Preferably, the shape of the rib structure 121 is adapted to the other characteristics of the heat storage device, in particular to the other parameters of the associated heat transfer arrangements 108, which depend in particular on the materials used, the heat transfer media 113 and 114 used, and the heat storage medium 106 used.

[0171] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the diameters or radii R1 and R2 of the individual flow sections 109 and 110 do not have to be the same, as is the case in the embodiment of a heat transfer arrangement 108 in Fig. 3 is the case, but these can also be different (cf. Fig. 4) The same applies to the wall thicknesses D1 and D2 of the outer walls 122 and 123 of the flow sections 109 and 110: they can be the same or different, depending on the application and required thermal conductivity.

[0172] In order to achieve the best possible heat transfer with such a heat transfer arrangement 108, empty spaces between the outer wall(s) 122, 123 of the flow sections 109, 110 and an inner wall of the fin support 138 can be filled with a thermally conductive material 142, as is shown for example in Fig. 4 is shown.

[0173] It has proven to be particularly advantageous, especially with regard to the effectiveness and efficiency of the heat storage device 100, if the heating devices 117 of a heat storage device 100 according to the invention with their heating element carrier 118 are arranged as close as possible to the flow sections 109 and 110 of the individual heat transfer arrangements 108.

[0174] If a heat storage element has several heat transfer arrangements 108, as is the case in Fig. As indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 1, for example, in the heat storage element 104 shown on the far right, one or more heating devices 117 are arranged, in particular between these heat transfer arrangements 108, preferably as close as possible to them, but in particular without colliding with any fin structures 121 that may be present. For this purpose, a defined volume is kept free between the individual heat transfer arrangements 108, for example, a rectangular volume as shown here, for arranging a heating element carrier 118 with one or more heating elements 119 of a heating device 117, wherein this free volume is in particular a "fin-free area".

[0175] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a heat storage element 104 for a heat storage arrangement 102 or for a heat storage device 100 according to the invention in a top view, wherein this embodiment has a total of 192 heat transfer arrangements 108, which are distributed over 12 rows of 16 heat transfer arrangements 108 each.

[0176] In this example, which shows a possible embodiment advantageous for many applications, the individual heat transfer arrangements 108 are each depicted with only one flow section, because a heat storage device 100 according to the invention can also have only one flow section 110 for discharging and be designed to be charged only by means of the heating arrangement 103 and not via a further flow section (cf. flow section 109). However, the individual heat transfer arrangements 108 (some or all) can alternatively also be arranged as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each describe having two flow sections 109 and 110, wherein one flow section 109 is intended for loading and the other flow section 110 for unloading.

[0177] If sodium nitrate with a melting point of Ts = 306 °C is used as the heat storage medium 106 and the heat storage device 100 is operated in a temperature range of 110 °C to 350 °C, and water is supplied to the heat storage element 104 as a heat transfer medium at 6 bar and 110°C, which evaporates in the heat storage device 100, a storage capacity of approximately 8 MWh and a discharge power of approximately 0.5-5 MW, controllable by the mass flow rate, can be achieved.

[0178] The storage capacity depends essentially on the size of the fins 137 of the fin structure 121 of the individual heat transfer arrangements 108, relative to the amount of heat storage medium 106 used. The maximum power output of the heat storage device 100, on the other hand, depends mainly on the size of the fins 137 relative to their absolute number. That is, the design of the fin structure 121 is of significant importance.

[0179] In order to position the individual heating devices 117 with their planar heating element carrier 118 between the individual heat transfer arrangements 108, corresponding "fin-free areas" or "fin-free zones" must be provided, as explained above. At the same time, however, the highest possible heat transfer performance to and from the heat storage medium 106 must be ensured, which depends significantly on the surface area of ​​the fin structure 121.

[0180] The fewer ribs 137 are provided, or the smaller the surface area of ​​the rib structure 121, the smaller the contact area between rib structures 121 and heat storage medium 106, and consequently the lower the heat transfer performance.

[0181] For good heat storage performance, it has proven advantageous if at least some of the flow sections 109, 110 or some of the heat transfer arrangements 108 are arranged in a common row 129 or 130, in particular such that the flow axes 111, 112 of the flow sections 109, 110 or of the heat transfer arrangements 108 arranged in a row 129 or 130, respectively, run in a common plane 131 or 132, in particular if these planes 131, 132 extend parallel to the support plane 120 or parallel to the heating element support 118 or parallel to the heating plane 124, as is shown by way of example in Fig. Figure 5 shows that this arrangement makes it easy to keep corresponding "rib-free areas" 128 or space for the heating device 117 free, while at the same time minimizing the "rib-free zones".

[0182] A particularly high packing density, i.e., a design with particularly small "rib-free zones or areas", can be achieved in particular with heat transfer arrangements 108 with rib structures 121, each of which has a pentagonal envelope contour 133, over which the individual ribs 137 do not extend outwards, and which in particular have a straight side edge 134, wherein the straight side edges 134 of the envelope contours 133 are in particular arranged along a common straight line and in particular parallel to the "rib-free zone" 128 or parallel to the support plane 120 or the heating element support 118, as is the case, for example, in the Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is shown.

[0183] For a particularly high packing density, it can be advantageous if the connecting leads 125 or the connecting conductor channels 127 are, as in Fig. 5 is sketched, with each being arranged alternately on different sides of the volume 107 of the heat storage element 104, i.e., for example, alternately on the left and right.

[0184] For a high loading capacity via the heating arrangement 103, it is advantageous if each of the individual rows 129, 130 is arranged directly adjacent to a heating device 117 or a corresponding heating element carrier 118 with one or more heating elements 119, as is shown by way of example in Fig. Figure 5 is outlined. Due to the resulting proximity of the individual heat transfer arrangements 108 to the heating element carrier 118 with the heating elements 119, particularly good heat transfer can be achieved because of the short distances.

[0185] The design of a heat storage device 100, as exemplified in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the achievable advantages, particularly those relating to maintenance effort and the ease of replacing the heating element carriers 118 with the heating elements 119, clearly outweigh the influence of the "fin-free zone" on the heat storage properties. It has been shown that, especially during long charging and discharging cycles with cycle durations of approximately 10 hours, the influence of the "fin-free zones" can even be disregarded. In other words, the invention provides a heat storage device that is particularly easy to maintain and allows for particularly simple insertion, removal, and / or replacement of the heating elements, while maintaining virtually identical heat storage properties.

[0186] Furthermore, heat can be transferred to the heat transfer media 113, 114 in a total of 192 heat transfer arrangements 108 using only six heating element carriers 118, each with ten heating elements 119, whereby only 60 heating elements 119 need to be controlled. For comparison: the heat storage device described in DE 10 2029 102 355 B4, which has already been mentioned several times, requires 192 heating cartridges and a corresponding control unit for each (namely, one for each heat transfer arrangement 108).

[0187] By further optimizing the fin geometry or its outer contours, for example by using regular pentagonal outer contours or other outer contours and / or by improving or alternatively designing the heating elements 117, the packing density can in some cases be increased even further and the size of the "fin-free zones" reduced even further. As a result, even better heat storage properties can be achieved.

[0188] For a high charging capacity via the heating arrangement 103, it is also advantageous if the flow sections 109, 110 of the individual heat transfer arrangements 108 can be positioned as close as possible to the heating device 117 or to the heating element carrier 118 with the heating elements 119. This can be achieved, for example, if the flow sections 109, 110 are not placed in the center of the envelope contour 133, but rather as in the examples in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown, eccentric, i.e. off-center, to a centroid of a surface enclosed by the envelope contour 133, which is particularly good in Fig. 6 can be seen, in particular offset in the direction of the heating device 117 in order to shorten the distance to the heating device 117 or to the heating element carrier 118 with the heating elements 119.

[0189] Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of an arrangement of heat transfer arrangements 108 within a heat storage element 104 of a heat storage device 100 according to the invention, also with several “rib-free zones” 128 for arranging at least one heating element carrier 118 with one or more heating elements 119 between the heat transfer arrangements 108 within the heat storage element 104 in a top view, wherein the envelope contours 133 in this embodiment are regular pentagons and not irregular pentagons as in Figure 5.

[0190] Fig.Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of an arrangement of heat transfer arrangements 108 within a heat storage element 104 of a heat storage device 100 according to the invention with several “rib-free zones” 128 for arranging at least one heating element carrier 118 with one or more heating elements 119 between the heat transfer arrangements 108 within the heat storage element 104 in a top view, wherein the envelope contours 133 in this embodiment have a further shape, in particular a pentagonal contour of a “house”.

[0191] For a particularly high packing density, the heat transfer arrangements 108 can in particular be arranged offset from one another, in particular laterally offset, so that the heat transfer arrangements 108 of the individual rows 129, 130 on the one hand in particular interlock like two racks, but without touching each other in order to avoid damage and / or unwanted heat transfer, and on the other hand with their straight side edges 134 parallel to each other with a rib-free zone 128 in between.

[0192] Naturally, a large number of modifications, especially constructive modifications, to the illustrated embodiments are possible without departing from the content of the patent claims. Reference symbol list 100 Heat storage device 101 electrical power supply equipment 102 Heat storage arrangement 103 Heating arrangement 104 Heat storage element 105 wall 106 Heat storage medium 107 volumes 108 Heat transfer arrangement 109 first (even) flow section 110 second (straight flow section) 111 first flow axis 112 second flow axis 113 first heat transfer medium 114 second heat transfer medium 115 first fluid circuit 116 second fluid circuit 117 Heating system 118 heating element carriers 119 (electric) heating element 120 support level 121 rib structure 122 Outer wall of the first flow section 123 Outer wall of the second flow section 124 Heating level 125 connection cable 126 Side edge of the heating element carrier 127 Connection conductor channel 128 Area reserved for heating element carrier, in particular “rib-free area” 129 first row with flow sections 130 second row with flow sections 131 common plane of the flow axes of the first series of flow sections 132 common plane of the flow axes of the second row of flow sections 133 Envelope contour 134 straight side edge of the envelope contour 135 Guide rail 136 Wall heating element 137 rib 138 rib girders 139 Wall (thermally conductive) of the rib support 140 locking element 141 locking hooks 142 thermally conductive filling material D1 Wall thickness of the first flow section D2 Wall thickness of the second flow section E Direction of use of the heating device R1 Radius of the first flow section R2 radius of the second flow section QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] WO 2011 / 069693 A1

[0007] DE 10 2017 114 141 A1 [0007, 0058, 0065] DE 10 2017 213 718 A1 [0007, 0068, 0144] DE 10 2019 102 955 B3 [0007, 0008, 0058, 0065, 0076, 0081, 0119, 0122, 0144] DE 10 2017 213 718 B4

[0168] DE 10 2029 102 355 B4

[0186]

Claims

Heat storage device (100), in particular latent heat storage device (100), comprising: a heat storage arrangement (102) and a heating arrangement (103); wherein the heat storage arrangement (102) comprises: at least one heat storage element (104) having a volume (107) at least partially bounded by a wall (105), wherein the volume (107) can be filled or is filled at least partially with a heat storage medium (106) for storing heat, and at least one heat transfer arrangement (108) through which heat can be supplied to and / or heat can be removed from the at least one heat storage element (104); wherein the heat transfer arrangement (108) has one or more straight flow sections (109, 110) each with a flow axis (111, 112), wherein the one or more flow sections (109, 110) can each be permeated by a heat transfer medium (113, 114) along its / their flow axis (111, 112).wherein the heat storage device (100) has several flow sections (109, 110) and several flow sections (109, 110) extend at least partially inside the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104) and are arranged parallel to each other at least inside the volume (107) of the at least one heat storage element (104) with their flow axes (111, 112), wherein the heating arrangement (103) has at least one heating device (117) with a heating element carrier (118) and at least one heating element (119) attached to the heating element carrier (118) or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier (118), characterized in thatthat the heating element carrier (118) extends at least sectionally along a support plane (120) of at least one heating device (117) and the at least one heating device (117) can be inserted into the interior of the volume (107) which can be filled with heat storage medium (106) or is at least partially filled, such that in a state of proper insertion of the heating device (117) into the heat storage element (104), the support plane (120) of the heating element carrier (118) extends parallel to the flow axes (111, 112) of the several flow sections (109, 110). Heat storage device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer arrangement (108) has one or more thermally conductive rib structure(s) (121) which are each thermally contacted with an outer wall (122, 123) of at least one flow section (109, 110), in particular thermally coupled with this outer wall (122, 123), wherein a rib structure (121) is in particular at least partially or completely thermally contacted with one or more, in particular with two, flow sections (109, 110). Heat storage device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a state of the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104) properly filled with a heat storage medium (106) and in a state of the heating element carrier (118) properly inserted into the heat storage element (104) at least one heating element (119) of the heating element carrier (118) thermally contacts the heat storage medium (106) so that the heat storage medium (106) can be charged with heat via the at least one heating element (119) of the heating element carrier (118). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one heating element (119) of the heating element carrier (118) extends at least sectionally in a heating plane (124) which extends parallel to the carrier plane (120) of the associated heating element carrier (118) or coincides with the carrier plane (120) of the associated heating element carrier (118). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one heating element (119) of the heating element carrier (118) extends at least sectionally in a direction perpendicular to the flow axes (111, 112) of the several flow sections (109, 110) inside the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow axes (111, 112) of the several flow sections (109, 110) which run inside the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104) run in a vertical direction with respect to a functional state of use of the heat storage device (100), and in particular at least one heating element (119) extends at least partially in a horizontal direction with respect to a functional state of use of the heat storage device (100). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one heating device (117) has at least one heating element (119) which has a straight heating conductor (119) extending in the heating plane (120) and perpendicular to the flow direction (111, 112) and / or a heating conductor (119) bent by 180 degrees. Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each heating element (119) has at least one, in particular two, connecting line(s) (125) and one or more connecting lines (125) from one or more heating elements (119) of a heating device (117) are guided along a side edge (126) of the heating element carrier (118), preferably parallel to the support plane (120) of the heating element carrier (118), in particular in a connecting line channel (127). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one heating device (117), with reference to a functional installation state of the heating device (117) in a heat storage device (100), has several heating elements (119) arranged one above the other in the direction of flow (111, 112), which can be operated separately from each other. Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow sections (109, 110) within the volume (107) are designed and arranged such that within the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104) there is a region (128) extending parallel to the flow axes (111, 112) of the flow sections (109, 110), preferably at least partially rectangular, which is kept free of components of the heat transfer arrangement, in which the heating element carrier (118) of at least one heating device (117) together with at least one heating element (119) attached to or integrated into the heating element carrier (118) can be inserted or is inserted. Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the flow sections (109, 110) are arranged in a row (129, 130), in particular such that the flow axes (111, 112) of the flow sections (109, 110) arranged in the row (129, 130) run in a common plane (131), in particular in a plane (131) which extends parallel to the support plane (120) of at least one heating element support (118), in particular parallel to the support plane (120) of a heating element support (118) arranged adjacent to the respective row (129, 130). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow sections (109, 110) are arranged in a first row (129) and in at least one further row (130), wherein the flow axes (111, 112) of the flow sections (109, 110) of the first row (129) in particular run in a first plane (131) and the flow axes (111, 112) of the flow sections (109, 110) of the at least one further row (130) preferably run in at least one further plane (132), wherein the second plane (132) extends in particular parallel and at a defined distance to the first plane (131). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating arrangement (103) comprises several heating devices (117), wherein, in particular, adjacent to each row (129, 130) of flow sections (109, 110), at least one heating device (117) with a heating element carrier (118) having at least one heating element (119) attached to the heating element carrier (118) or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier (118) is arranged, wherein the heating element carrier(s) (118) is / are arranged, in particular, adjacent to the respective flow sections (109, 110) of the associated row, such that the support plane (120) of the heating element carrier (118) extends, in particular, parallel to the common plane (131, 132) in which the flow axes (111, 112) of the adjacent row (129, 130) of flow sections (109, 110) extend. Heat storage device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 13, wherein at least one of the rib structures (121) is designed such that it does not extend beyond a defined envelope contour (133) around the associated flow section (109, 110) with which the one rib structure (121) is thermally contacted in a plane perpendicular to the flow axis (111, 112). Heat storage device (100) according to claim 14, wherein at least one envelope contour (133) around the at least one rib structure (121) has at least one straight side edge (134), wherein the at least one straight side edge (134) of the envelope contour (133) runs in particular parallel to the support plane (120) of at least one heating device (117), in particular parallel to a heating device (117) arranged immediately adjacent to it. Heat storage device (100) according to claim 15, wherein all flow sections (109, 110) of a series (129, 130) have such a rib structure (121) with a covering contour (133) with at least one straight side edge (134) and are in particular arranged such that the straight side edges (134) of the covering contours (130) run parallel to the plane (131, 132) along which the flow axes (111, 112) of the flow sections (109, 110) of the associated series (131, 132) of flow sections (109, 110) are arranged and / or parallel to the support plane (120) of at least one heating device (117), in particular parallel to the support plane (120) of an adjacently arranged heating device (117). Heat storage device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 16, wherein at least one of the rib structures (121) is designed and / or arranged relative to the flow section (109, 110) with which the one rib structure (121) is thermally contacted, such that the flow axis (111, 112) of the associated flow section (109, 110) is at least partially eccentric to a surface enclosed by a surface contour (133) extending in a plane perpendicular to the flow axis (111, 112) through a centroid of a surface enclosed by an associated envelope contour (133) extending around the one rib structure (121). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat storage arrangement (102) is designed such that the heating element carrier (118) of the at least one heating device (117) can be inserted or is inserted into the volume (107) which can be filled with heat storage medium (106) or is at least partially filled with heat storage medium (106) in an insertion direction (E) which in particular runs parallel to the flow axes (111, 112) of the flow sections (109, 110), wherein the heating element carrier (118) of the at least one heating device (117) can be inserted or is inserted, in particular from above, with reference to a functional state of use of the heat storage device (100). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall (105) of the heat storage device (100), which limits the volume (107) that can be filled with or is filled with heat storage medium (106), has at least one guide rail (135) on its inside for guiding the heating element carrier (118), in particular for guiding the heating element carrier (118) when inserting and / or removing the heating element carrier (118). Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wall heating element (136) is provided on or in the wall (105) which surrounds the volume (107) which can be at least partially filled or is filled with heat storage medium (106) in order to introduce heat into the interior of the volume (107) via the wall (105), in particular into a heat storage medium (106) with which the volume (107) is at least partially filled. Heat storage device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat storage device (100) has an electric heating arrangement (103) and further an electric power supply device (101) for providing electrical energy to the heating arrangement (103) and supplying it with it. Heat storage arrangement (102) for a heat storage device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 21, comprising: at least one heat storage element (104) having a volume (107) at least partially limited by a wall (105), wherein the volume (107) is at least partially fillable with a heat storage medium (106) for storing heat, and at least one heat transfer arrangement (108) by means of which heat can be supplied to and / or heat can be removed from the at least one heat storage element (104); wherein the heat transfer arrangement (108) has one or more straight flow sections (109, 110) each with a flow axis (111, 112), wherein the one or more flow sections (109, 110) are each supplied with heat along its / its flow axis (111, 112) by a heat transfer medium (113, 114) is / are permeable, wherein the heat storage arrangement (102) has several flow sections (109,110) and several flow sections (109, 110) extend at least sectionally inside the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104) and are arranged parallel to each other at least inside the volume (107) of the at least one heat storage element (104) with their flow axes (111, 112); characterized in that the at least one heat storage element (104) has a heating arrangement (103) or is configured to accommodate a heating arrangement (103) which has at least one heating device (117) with a heating element carrier (118) and at least one heating element (119) attached to the heating element carrier (118) or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier (118);wherein the heating element carrier (118) extends at least section by section along a support plane (120) and the at least one heating device (117) can be inserted into the interior of the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104) of the heat storage arrangement (102) such that, in a state of proper insertion of the heating device (117) into the heat storage element (104), the support plane (120) of the heating element carrier (118) extends parallel to the flow axes (111, 112) of the several flow sections (109, 110). Heating arrangement (103) for a heat storage device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 21 and / or for a heat storage arrangement (102) according to claim 22, wherein the heating arrangement (103) has at least one heating device (117) with a heating element carrier (118) and at least one heating element (119) attached to the heating element carrier (118) or at least partially integrated into the heating element carrier (118), and the heating element carrier (118) of at least one heating device (117) extends at least sectionally along a support plane (120), and the at least one heating device (117) can be inserted into the interior of the volume (107) of the heat storage element (104) of the heat storage arrangement (102) which can be filled with heat storage medium (106) or at least partially filled with heat storage medium (106).that in a properly inserted state of the heating device (117) in the heat storage element (104), the support plane (120) of the heating element support (118) extends parallel to the flow axes (111, 112) of the several flow sections (109, 110). Method for at least partially loading a heat storage device (100) configured according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the volume (107) of at least one heat storage element (104) of the heat storage arrangement (102) is at least partially filled with a heat storage medium (106) for storing heat, and the heating element carrier (118) of at least one heating device (117) of the heating arrangement (103) is inserted into the interior of the volume (107) at least partially filled with heat storage medium (106) such that the support plane (120) of the heating element carrier (118) extends parallel to the flow axes (111, 112) of the several flow sections (109, 110), comprising at least the following steps: - Activating the heating arrangement (103) and generating heat by means of the at least one heating device (117) of the heating arrangement,and- loading the heat storage device (100) by introducing the heat generated by the at least one heating device (117) into the heat storage medium (106), in particular by conduction (heat conduction). A method for inserting, removing, and / or replacing a heating device (117) of a heating arrangement (103) of a heat storage device (100) configured according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the volume (107) of at least one heat storage element (104) of the heat storage arrangement (102) is at least partially filled with a heat storage medium (106) for storing heat, comprising the following steps: - placing the heat storage medium (106), in particular by introducing heat into the heat storage medium (106), in the area around the at least one heating device (117) or in the area in which the heating device (117) is to be inserted, into a state and / or maintaining a state in which the at least one heating device (117) can be removed from the volume (107) without damage, in particular upwards, or inserted into the volume, in particular from above.with reference to a functional state of use of the heat storage device (100), and removal, in particular upwards, and / or insertion, in particular from above, of the at least one heating device (117), with reference to a functional state of use of the heat storage device (100).

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