Energy storage systems

Abstract

The thermal energy storage system described herein is suitable for the long-term storage of large amounts of thermal energy. The system receives electrical energy from a renewable energy source (such as solar or wind power). Using novel techniques, the thermal energy storage system converts the electrical energy into thermal energy, which is stored in a high-temperature material such as molten silicon or other material capable of storing large amounts of heat. The thermal energy storage system incorporates extremely good insulation in the thermal energy storage tank containing the high-temperature material. The system is configured to efficiently release the thermal energy to one or more power generation steam turbines and / or industrial heating systems in a manufacturing plant using the heat exchanger system and techniques described herein. The energy storage system has higher overall real-world efficiency than currently available energy storage systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-Reference to Related Application This application claims the priority of U.S. Application No. 18 / 348,916 filed on July 7, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a novel energy storage system for long-term energy storage, which includes a wide range of energy loss mitigation measures for enhancing the efficiency of long-term energy storage. The present disclosure also relates to the integration of such an energy storage system with renewable energy sources (e.g., solar energy and / or wind energy) and a working fluid heating system (e.g., a steam / water heating system) capable of powering a steam turbine for power generation. Background Art

[0003] The Earth receives more than 10,000 times the energy from the Sun than all humanity on Earth consumes. Wind energy is a derivative of energy from the Sun. However, energy-deficient societies are heavily dependent on energy from burning fossil fuels. There is strong international pressure to reduce fossil fuel consumption and switch to renewable energy sources (e.g., solar power or wind power).

[0004] The cost of renewable energy is now approximately equal to or lower than the cost of energy generated by fossil fuels. However, a serious challenge for renewable energy is that the electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines cannot be stored economically over long periods of time. This ultimately leads to a need for a long-term economical method of storing large amounts of energy from the Sun.

[0005] Having energy storage systems ("ESS") capable of storing renewable energy from solar panels and / or wind turbines for weeks or months is of paramount importance. Such long-term storage of large amounts of renewable energy from solar panels and / or wind turbines is necessary if society desires to dramatically reduce its dependence on energy from fossil fuels. Currently, battery-based ESSs are widely used as renewable energy ESSs. However, the performance of battery-based ESSs degrades rapidly, and their service life is less than 10 years. Moreover, battery-based ESSs rely on materials with limited supply (e.g., lithium and nickel). The disposal of vast quantities of expired battery-based ESSs is an environmental disaster. These well-known drawbacks of battery-based ESSs are the main reason why "clean" energy from solar panels and / or wind turbines has not yet been able to replace or significantly reduce the widespread use of energy from burning fossil fuels. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 530,219 [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This disclosure describes a novel ESS for the long-term storage of large amounts of thermal energy in a high-temperature material. In some cases, such an ESS receives electrical energy from a renewable energy source (e.g., solar panels and / or wind turbines). Using the novel techniques described below, the ESS converts the electrical energy into thermal energy, which is stored in a high-temperature material (e.g., molten silicon). The ESS described herein incorporates extremely good insulation of the thermal energy storage container containing the high-temperature material. The ESS includes multiple means for mitigating radiative heat loss, conductive heat loss, and convective heat loss. Thus, the thermal energy storage is highly efficient. The ESS is also configured to release its thermal energy in an efficient manner into a working fluid (e.g., water / steam) that can power a power generation steam turbine, using the novel heat exchanger system and techniques described below. Therefore, when the ESS described below is integrated with an energy source (e.g., a renewable energy source) and a steam turbine generator system, the ESS can provide highly efficient energy reception, storage, and delivery. This type of ESS can greatly enhance the practical feasibility of renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar power).

[0008] In some embodiments, the ESS described herein stores thermal energy in molten silicon. Such an ESS can store energy received from solar panels or wind turbines as thermal energy in molten silicon and includes extensive insulation of the molten silicon by multilayer thermal radiation shielding sheets of molybdenum and / or stainless steel in a vacuum chamber. Silicon melts at about 1,415°C. Silicon has a very high heat of fusion. In the ESS described herein, several ingenious and novel ideas are applied to strictly minimize the loss of thermal energy from the molten silicon, as well as to equally strictly maximize the thermal efficiency of how the silicon receives energy from solar panels and wind turbines, and how the silicon heats the working fluid, such as water / steam, in its heat exchange tank. The primary objective of the ESS described herein is to maximize the utilization of silicon's unusually high heat of fusion by sophisticated prevention / mitigation of heat transfer through thermal radiation between critical parts of the ESS, and by strictly minimizing the loss of silicon's thermal energy through heat conduction through material-to-material contacts of various components. The new ESS described herein may be referred to as "YKES2".

[0009] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an ESS, the ESS comprising: a vacuum chamber; a container located within the vacuum chamber; a thermal energy storage medium located within the container; a heater located within the vacuum chamber; a heat receiver located within the vacuum chamber; a first radiant shield movably reconfigurable between (i) a first position separating the heater from the container and (ii) a second position in which the heater is exposed to the container; and a second radiant shield movably reconfigurable between (i) a first position separating the heat receiver from the container and (ii) a second position in which the container is exposed to the heat receiver.

[0010] Such an ESS may optionally include one or more of the following features: The energy storage system may also include a thermal radiation shielding positioned between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber and the container. The thermal radiation shielding may also be positioned between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber and the heater. The thermal radiation shielding may also be positioned between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber and the heat receiver. In some embodiments, the thermal radiation shielding includes multiple layers of sheet material spaced apart from each other. The energy storage system may also include a first thermal radiation reflector, with the heater positioned between the first thermal radiation reflector and the container. The energy storage system may also include a second thermal radiation reflector, with the heat receiver positioned between the second thermal radiation reflector and the container. The energy storage system may also include one or more support members disposed between the bottom of the container and the bottom inner wall of the vacuum chamber. The support members can lift and separate the container from the bottom inner wall of the vacuum chamber. In some embodiments, one of each of the one or more support members includes multiple pieces of insulating material in a stacked arrangement. The insulating material may include zirconia. The energy storage system may also include a thermal radiation shielding positioned between the inner bottom wall of the vacuum chamber and the container. The thermal energy storage medium may include silicon. In some embodiments, the heater includes a resistance heating element. The heater and heat receiver may be positioned at a distance from the container, respectively. The energy storage system may also include a first actuator, which is coupled to a first radiation shield and operates to move the first radiation shield between (i) a first position that separates the heater from the container and (ii) a second position in which the heater is exposed to the container.The energy storage system may also include a second actuator, which is connected to a second radiation shield and operates to move the second radiation shield between (i) a first position in which the heat receiver is separated from the container and (ii) a second position in which the container is exposed to the heat receiver.

[0011] In another embodiment, the Disclosure relates to an ESS, the ESS comprising: a vacuum chamber; a container located within the vacuum chamber; a thermal energy storage medium located within the container; a heater located within the vacuum chamber and spaced apart from the container; a heat receiver located within the vacuum chamber and spaced apart from the container; and a projection extending from the inner wall of the container and in contact with the thermal energy storage medium.

[0012] Such an ESS may optionally include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the projection is a pyramidal structure. In some embodiments, the 3D shape of the projection is not limited to a pyramidal structure. For example, in some embodiments, the 3D shape of the projection may be a conical structure with a circular base and a sharp apex, or a structure with a polygonal base and a sharp apex. The volume of the projection may be at least 10% of the internal volume of the container. The energy storage system may also include multiple layers of thermal radiation shielding, which surround the container and are located within a vacuum chamber.

[0013] In another embodiment, the Disclosure relates to an ESS, which includes: a vacuum chamber; a container located within the vacuum chamber; a thermal energy storage medium located within the container; one or more heaters located within the vacuum chamber; a first heat receiver, the first heat receiver located within the vacuum chamber and operationally coupled to a first power generation system or a first industrial heating system; and a second heat receiver, the second heat receiver located within the vacuum chamber and operationally coupled to a second power generation system or a second industrial heating system. Heat transfer from the thermal energy storage medium to the first heat receiver is controllable independently of heat transfer from the thermal energy storage medium to the second heat receiver.

[0014] Specific embodiments of the subject matter described in this document can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following advantages: The YKES2 described herein is capable of storing and maintaining energy from solar panels and / or wind turbines as thermal energy in molten silicon for weeks or months. The economic service life of the YKES2 described herein is expected to be 25 years or more. The YKES2 described herein does not depend on materials with limited supply, such as lithium or rare materials. Disposal of expired YKES2 after a long service life will not generate environmental problems. The energy density (watt-hours per kilogram) of silicon in the YKES2 is much higher than the energy density stored in battery-based ESSs. The large capacity economies of the YKES2 exist because the stored energy is determined by the volume which expands and contracts according to the cube of the linear dimension of the container, while energy loss is determined by the surface area (which expands and contracts on the order of the square of the linear dimension).

[0015] The YKES2 described herein maximizes the density of thermal energy per unit weight and volume by making full use of the physical principle of vacuum insulation, which essentially eliminates heat loss due to conventional insulation systems. YKES2 incorporates novel heat exchange systems and techniques between the heating device and the thermal energy storage medium, and between the thermal energy storage medium and the heat receiver of the working fluid for the steam turbine. Such systems and techniques enhance the efficiency of the radiant heat transfer process while such process is taking place and minimize heat loss and inefficiency when the process is complete.

[0016] Furthermore, the YKES2 described herein is advantageously designed to include structural support members optimized to reduce heat loss due to conduction. Moreover, the YKES2 described herein includes a highly effective radiation barrier that virtually eliminates heat loss due to radiation. Thus, the efficiency and storage time of the YKES2 described herein are greatly enhanced compared to such systems known to date.

[0017] The performance of the YKES2 described herein does not degrade over many years (e.g., more than 20 years), no matter how frequently it is charged and discharged. In contrast, the performance of widely used battery ESSs gradually degrades year by year, with an average service life of only about 5 to 8 years. The YKES2 described herein is an alternative energy storage system that can replace certain current applications of battery-based energy storage systems (e.g., lithium battery energy storage systems) as a more economically viable, more environmentally friendly, large-scale, and long-term system for storing energy from renewable energy sources.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples of the embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0019] Details of one or more embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description herein. The scope and applicability of the ESS described herein are not limited by any of the specific numbers recited in the present disclosure. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of an exemplary YKES2 according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 2] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the YKES2 of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the thermal energy storage container of the YKES2 of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an exemplary combination of three cylinders overlapping and intersecting each other. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the thermal energy storage container of FIG. 3 without an upper portion. [Figure 6] It is a perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of the thermal energy storage container of FIG. 3, showing the container containing a thermal energy storage medium therein. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the thermal energy storage container of FIG. 3 without an upper portion, showing the container containing a thermal energy storage medium therein. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of a part of a heater assembly that can be used with the YKES2 of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of another part of a heater assembly that can be used with the YKES2 of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of another part of a heater assembly that can be used with YKES2 of Fig. 1. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of the parts shown in Figs. 8 to 10, assembled together. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of a radiation shield that can substantially cover the heater assembly used with YKES2 of Fig. 1. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view of the parts shown in Figs. 8 to 10 and Fig. 12, assembled together. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view of the part shown in Fig. 10 after reconfiguration into a closed arrangement. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view of the part shown in Fig. 10 after reconfiguration into a partially open arrangement. [Figure 16] It is a perspective view of the part shown in Fig. 10, in a fully open arrangement (as also shown in Fig. 10). [Figure 17] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly in a closed arrangement. [Figure 18] It is a perspective view of a heater assembly in a closed arrangement. [Figure 19] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly in a partially open arrangement. [Figure 20] It is a perspective view of a heater assembly in a partially open arrangement. [Figure 21] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater assembly in a fully open arrangement. [Figure 22] It is a perspective view of a heater assembly in a fully open arrangement. [Figure 23] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of YKES2 of Fig. 1, in a state where the heater assembly is in a partially open arrangement and the heat receiver assembly is in a fully open arrangement. [Figure 24]Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the YKES2 with the heater assembly in a completely closed configuration and the heat receiver assembly in a completely open configuration. [Figure 25] This is a perspective view of another exemplary YKES2 according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 26] Figure 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view of YKES2. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view of another exemplary YKES2 according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 28] Figure 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view of YKES2. [Figure 29] This is another schematic cross-sectional view of YKES2 in Figure 1. [Figure 30] This is another schematic diagram of YKES2 in Figure 1. [Figure 31] This is a perspective view of a first type of support member that may be used for the YKES2 described herein. [Figure 32] This is a view of the back of the support member shown in Figure 31. [Figure 33] This is a perspective view of another type of support member that may be used for the YKES2 described herein. [Figure 34] This is a perspective view of another type of support member that may be used for the YKES2 described herein. [Figure 35] This is a perspective view of the stacked arrangement of support members. [Figure 36] This is a side view of the stacked arrangement of support members. [Figure 37] This is a perspective view of a radiation shield support structure that may be used for YKES2 as described herein. [Figure 38] Figure 37 is a perspective view of the radiation shield support structure with several radiation shields attached to it. [Figure 39] This figure shows the bottom portion of the radiation shield support structure in Figure 37, which is combined with multiple support members. [Figure 40]This is a perspective view of two bottom portions of the radiation shield support structure shown in Figure 37, which is separated by a stack of multiple support members. [Figure 41] This is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 40. [Figure 42] This is a perspective view of three bottom portions of the radiation shield support structure in Figure 37, separated by a stack of support members on top of an additional stack of support members. [Figure 43] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 42. [Figure 44] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the thermal energy storage container, partially enclosed by a radiation shield, and shows a longitudinal cross-section. [Figure 45] Figure 44 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the thermal energy storage container, and also shows the vacuum chamber. [Figure 46] This is a perspective view of another exemplary YKES2 according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 47] Figure 46 is a schematic cross-sectional view of YKES2. [Figure 48] This is a perspective view of another exemplary YKES2 according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 49] Figure 48 is a schematic cross-sectional view of YKES2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Similar reference numerals throughout represent the corresponding parts.

[0022] YKES2 (in its various forms and with its various features as described herein) can be used for the long-term storage of large amounts of thermal energy in high-temperature materials (e.g., molten silicon). In some cases, YKES2 receives electrical energy from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar panels and / or wind turbines). Using novel techniques described below, YKES2 converts the electrical energy into thermal energy, which is then stored in the high-temperature material. The YKES2 described herein incorporates extremely good insulation of the thermal energy storage container containing the high-temperature material. YKES2 includes multiple means for mitigating radiative heat loss, conductive heat loss, and convective heat loss. Thus, the thermal energy storage is highly efficient.

[0023] The thermal energy stored in YKES2 can be used for several different types of applications. A first exemplary type of application is heating a working fluid (water / steam) to power a steam turbine that generates electricity. Another exemplary type of application is heating materials passing through industrial heating processes in manufacturing plants, etc. YKES2 is configured for both of the above-mentioned types of applications (and other applications) using the novel heat exchanger system and techniques described below.

[0024] Therefore, when YKES2, as described below, is integrated with an energy source (e.g., a renewable energy source), it can provide highly efficient energy reception, energy storage, and energy delivery for the two types of applications mentioned above. The two types of applications of the thermal energy stored in YKES2 can greatly enhance the practical feasibility of renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar).

[0025] A major difference exists between the first and second types of applications. The first type of application involves converting the thermal energy of YKES2 into electricity. Therefore, more than 60% of the thermal energy of YKES2 is wasted when it is converted into electrical energy. This is unavoidable due to the fundamental thermodynamic laws of heat engines. On the other hand, the second type of application involves transferring the thermal energy of YKES2 to thermal energy used in industrial heating processes. The second type of application is not affected by the fundamental thermodynamic laws of heat engines. Therefore, the efficiency of the second type of application can be as high as 80% to 90% or more. Its efficiency depends on the efficient adiabatic process of transferring the thermal energy of YKES2 to the thermal energy of the working fluid in the industrial heating process.

[0026] Currently, industrial heating processes in large-scale manufacturing plants are typically supplied by heat generated from the combustion of fossil fuels. In developed industrial nations, the total fossil fuel-based energy used for industrial heating processes in manufacturing plants is equal to or greater than the total fossil fuel-based energy used for generating electricity.

[0027] When renewable energy is stored in YKES2 as thermal energy (not as chemical energy in a battery-based ESS, nor as kinetic energy in a flywheel-based ESS), the renewable energy can be easily used for generating electricity or for heating industrial heating processes. In contrast, when renewable energy is stored as chemical energy in a battery-based ESS or as kinetic energy in a flywheel-based ESS, converting the stored energy into thermal energy for industrial heating processes is less efficient than transferring the thermal energy stored in YKES2 to the same industrial heating processes. This is because converting chemical energy to thermal energy or kinetic energy to thermal energy is governed by the thermodynamic laws of energy conversion from one form to another. With respect to the second type of application, the thermal energy stored in YKES2 is used as thermal energy for industrial heating. It is not governed by the same thermodynamic laws of energy conversion from one form to another.

[0028] This is a new and novel feature of YKES2. Molten salt-based ESSs, like YKES2, can be used for both Type 1 and Type 2 applications. However, the energy density stored in molten silicon is more than 10 times greater than the energy density of molten salt. This means that the volume of molten salt is about 13 times greater than the volume of molten silicon for storing the same amount of thermal energy (molten silicon is denser). This means that a high degree of insulation in molten silicon is far more difficult and far more expensive than achieving the same degree of insulation in molten silicon for storing the same amount of thermal energy. This is another novel feature of YKES2.

[0029] Therefore, with respect to the first type of application, when the YKES2 described below is integrated with an energy source (e.g., a renewable energy source), a steam turbine generator system, and a flywheel energy storage system ("FESS") (optionally), the YKES2 can provide highly efficient energy receiving, storage, and delivery. This type of YKES2 can greatly enhance the practical feasibility of renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar). For example, the YKES2 described herein can be advantageously integrated into a broader energy management system, such as the hybrid energy storage system described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 530,219 filed November 18, 2021. In particular, the YKES2 described herein can be integrated into the disclosed hybrid energy storage system by replacing the molten salt energy storage system (e.g., reference figure 120), which is a subsystem of the overall hybrid energy storage system described therein, with the YKES2. Integrating the YKES2 described herein into such a hybrid energy storage system provides a novel system comprising a hot body energy storage system, a steam temperature control system, a steam turbine system, and an optional fourth subsystem, the ESS. Such a hybrid energy storage system provides long-term storage of large amounts of energy received from solar and / or wind energy sources, and also provides long-term continuous delivery of electricity to users when electricity generated from solar and / or wind energy sources is unavailable or interrupted due to causes such as the day-night cycle, daily weather changes, prolonged adverse weather (e.g., several days of rain in summer and blizzards in winter), or sudden failures of power grids in cities, buildings, and campuses. Accordingly, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 530,219 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0030] With regard to the second type of application, the inventors of YKES2 as described herein are unaware of any actual cases in which the thermal energy of molten silicon collected from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar panels or wind turbines) is used to heat industrial heating processes. Therefore, the second type of application of YKES2 appears to be an entirely new and novel application of renewable energy collected from solar panels and / or wind turbines.

[0031] Next, the main features of YKES2 will be briefly described with reference to Figures 1 to 49. Following this, additional details regarding YKES2 as described herein will be provided.

[0032] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary thermal energy storage system 100 (or YKES2 100). YKES2 100 includes a vacuum chamber 110. Extending through the wall of the vacuum chamber 110 are electrical connections 102 and working fluid connections 104, which will be further described below. Additionally, a radiation shielding actuator 106 can be seen, which will also be further described below.

[0033] In this diagram of the YKES2 100, essentially only the outer wall surface of the vacuum chamber 110 is visible. The internal components of the YKES2 100 are shown in the following diagram.

[0034] The YKES2 100 includes a vacuum chamber 110 to enhance its insulation. Specifically, the vacuum within the vacuum chamber 110 plays a role in reducing energy (heat) losses that could otherwise occur due to convective and conductive heat transfer.

[0035] The YKES2 100 is essentially scalable to any desired size. For example, in some embodiments, the height of the YKES2 100 can be, without limitation, in the range of 1 to 3 meters, 2 to 5 meters, 3 to 6 meters, 5 to 10 meters, or greater than 10 meters. The larger the size of the YKES2 100, the greater the thermal storage capacity.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the YKES2 100. The YKES2 100 includes a vacuum chamber 110, a thermal radiation shielding 120, a container 130, a heater assembly 160, and a thermal receiver assembly 180. The thermal radiation shielding 120, container 130, heater assembly 160, and thermal receiver assembly 180 are all located within the vacuum chamber 110. The thermal radiation shielding 120 is located between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110 and the container 130, between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110 and the heater assembly 160, and between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110 and the thermal receiver assembly 180. In addition, the thermal radiation shielding 120 is also located between the top of the vacuum chamber 110 and (i) the container 130, (ii) the heater assembly 160, and (iii) the thermal receiver assembly 180. Furthermore, the thermal radiation shielding 120 is also positioned between the bottom of the vacuum chamber 110 and (i) the container 130, (ii) the heater assembly 160, and (iii) the heat receiver assembly 180. Thus, the thermal radiation shielding 120 is interposed between the entire inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110 and (i) the container 130, (ii) the heater assembly 160, and (iii) the heat receiver assembly 180. Consequently, there is very minimal radiant heat transfer from the components and assemblies located inside the vacuum chamber 110 to the vacuum chamber 110.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of container 130. A thermal energy storage medium is contained within container 130 (as depicted, for example, in Figure 6). In this embodiment, container 130 is shaped as a cylinder with two concave longitudinal portions cut out from the cylinder. Figure 4 schematically shows how, in this embodiment of YKES2 100, the heater assembly 160 and the heat receiver assembly 180 effectively extend into the two concave longitudinal portions of container 130.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an example of the interior of the container 130. In this example, the projection 132 extends upward from the inner bottom wall surface of the container 130 toward the top of the container 130. In this non-limiting example, the projection 132 is shaped like a square pyramidal structure. Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section of the container 130 and the projection 132. In addition, the thermal energy storage medium 140 is shown inside the container 130. The thermal energy storage medium 140 can be a material such as silicon, but is not limited to silicon. Figure 7 shows another diagram of the container 130, the projection 132, and the thermal energy storage medium 140.

[0039] Figures 8 to 13 are a series of diagrams illustrating an exemplary construction of the heater assembly 160 of the YKES2 100. The same or very similar construction can be used for the heat receiver assembly 180.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, the heater assembly 160 includes a heater 161. In some embodiments, the heater 161 is an electrical resistance heater (e.g., an ohm heater). In some embodiments, the heater 161 is powered by electricity from a renewable energy source (e.g., solar, wind, etc.). When power is supplied, the temperature of the heater 161 increases.

[0041] As shown in Figure 9, the heater assembly 160 also includes a thermal reflector 162. In some embodiments, the thermal reflector 162 is positioned "behind" the heater 161 (with respect to the container 130). The thermal reflector 162 receives radiation from the heater 161 and reflects that radiation toward the container 130. Thus, the thermal radiation emitted from the heater 161 is directed toward the container 130 to the maximum extent reasonably possible.

[0042] As shown in Figure 10, the heater assembly 160 also includes a radiation shield 164. Further described below, the radiation shield 164 is reconfigurable to move between (i) a first position in which the heater 161 is separated from the container 130 and (ii) a second position in which the heater 161 is exposed to the container 130. The reconfiguration of the radiation shield 164 is actuated by a powertrain including a shaft assembly 165, which transmits mechanical force from one or more actuators (e.g., motors) positioned outside the vacuum chamber 110 (e.g., above its top) to move the radiation shield 164.

[0043] Figure 11 shows the combination of heater 161, thermal reflector 162, and radiation shield 164. It can be seen that the position of the radiation shield 164 allows the heater 161 and thermal reflector 162 to be exposed in this configuration (meaning they are exposed toward the container 130).

[0044] As shown in Figure 12, the heater assembly 160 also includes a thermal radiation shielding 166. The thermal radiation shielding 166 is positioned around the other components of the heater assembly 160 (around the components shown in Figure 11). The outer wall of the thermal radiation shielding 166 faces the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110 (but is separated from the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110).

[0045] Figure 13 shows the entire heater assembly 160.

[0046] Figures 14 to 16 show the radiation shield 164 of the heater assembly 160 in various positions. Figure 14 shows the radiation shield 164 in a closed position, in which the heater 161 is separated from the container 130. Figure 15 shows the radiation shield 164 in a partially open position, in which the heater 161 is partially exposed to the container 130. Figure 16 shows the radiation shield 164 in a fully open position, in which the heater 161 is fully exposed to the container 130.

[0047] Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly 160 with the radiation shield 164 in the closed position. In this configuration, since the radiation shield 164 is in the closed position, energy loss from the container 130 to the heater assembly 160 is minimized. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the heater assembly 160 with the radiation shield 164 in the closed position.

[0048] Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly 160 with the radiation shield 164 in a partially open position. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the heater assembly 160 with the radiation shield 164 in a partially open position.

[0049] Figure 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the heater assembly 160 with the radiation shield 164 in the fully open position. In this configuration, energy transfer from the heater assembly 160 to the container 130 is maximized because the radiation shield 164 is in the fully open position. Figure 22 is a perspective view of the heater assembly 160 with the radiation shield 164 in the fully open position.

[0050] In Figure 23, the radiation shield 164 of the heater assembly 160 is in a partially open position, and the radiation shield 184 of the heat receiver 180 is in a fully open position.

[0051] In Figure 24, the radiation shield 164 of the heater assembly 160 is in the closed position, and the radiation shield 184 of the heat receiver 180 is in the fully open position.

[0052] Figure 25 shows another exemplary embodiment of the YKES2 200. The YKES2 200 is similar to the YKES2 100, except that it includes two heater assemblies 260 and two heat receivers 280, all of which are located inside a vacuum chamber 210. In some embodiments, heat transfer from the thermal energy storage medium to the first heat receiver 280 is controllable independently of heat transfer from the thermal energy storage medium to the second heat receiver 280.

[0053] Figure 26 shows a cross-section of the YKES2 200. Here, a container 230 can be seen. The container 230 contains a thermal energy storage medium (e.g., silicon) stored within it. Each of the heat transfer receivers 280 includes a radiant shield 284. Each radiant shield 284 is controllable independently of the others. Thus, heat transfer from the thermal energy storage medium 230 to the first heat receiver 280 is controllable independently of heat transfer from the thermal energy storage medium 230 to the second heat receiver 280. This is advantageous because, for example, a first power generation system or a first industrial heating system operationally connected to the first heat receiver 280 can be controlled independently of a second power generation system or a second industrial heating system operationally connected to the second heat receiver 280. In the embodiments depicted, the YKES2 200 includes two of the heater assemblies 260, but in some embodiments, the YKES2 200 includes a single heater assembly 260.

[0054] Figure 27 shows another exemplary embodiment of the YKES2 300. The YKES2 300 is similar to the YKES2 100, except that it includes a total of eight heater assemblies 360 and heat receivers 380, all of which are located inside a vacuum chamber 310. In other words, in some embodiments, there may be one heater assembly 360 and seven heat receivers 380, or two heater assemblies 360 and six heat receivers 380, or three heater assemblies 360 and five heat receivers 380, or four heater assemblies 360 and four heat receivers 380, or five heater assemblies 360 and three heat receivers 380, or six heater assemblies 360 and two heat receivers 380, or seven heater assemblies 360 and one heat receiver 380.

[0055] Figure 28 shows a cross-section of the YKES2 300. Here, the container 330 can be seen. The container 330 contains a thermal energy storage medium (e.g., silicon) stored within it.

[0056] Referring again to YKES2 100, Figure 29 shows how the thermal radiation shielding 120 / 166 / 186 is located along the entire inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110. Figure 30 shows that only very narrow gaps exist between the thermal radiation shielding 120 / 166 / 186.

[0057] Figures 31-34 show various exemplary types of support members used in YKES2, as further described below. The support members are designed to minimize conductive heat transfer. In some embodiments, the material from which the support members are constructed has low thermal conductivity (high thermal resistance). For example, in some embodiments, the support members are made from zirconia (zirconia dioxide). In addition, the support members are designed to have minimal surface area contact between them (again, to reduce conductive heat transfer).

[0058] Figures 35 and 36 show the support members (i.e., the stacked support members 190) in an exemplary stacked arrangement.

[0059] Figure 37 illustrates an exemplary radiation shield support structure 122 that may be used for the YKES2 100. In some embodiments, multiple radiation shield support structures 122 are used for a single YKES2 100. In such cases, the multiple radiation shield support structures 122 are nested amongst themselves.

[0060] Figure 38 shows a radiation shield support structure 122 with several radiation shield panels 124 attached to it. In the final configuration used for the YKES2 100, the radiation shield support structure 122 is completely covered by the radiation shield panels 124, and multiple such assemblies are nested together to produce the thermal radiation shielding 120 of the YKES2 100. In some embodiments, the radiation shield panels 124 are made from molybdenum and / or stainless steel.

[0061] Figure 39 shows a bottom view of the radiation shield support structure 122 and a plurality of stacked support members 190 used to physically support the radiation shield support structure 122. The use of stacked support members 190 provides the necessary structural support while minimizing conductive heat transfer.

[0062] Figures 40 and 41 show additional diagrams of stacked support members 190 positioned between two of the bottoms of the radiation shield support structure 122. Although not shown in these figures, radiation shield panels 124 may also be interposed in the depicted arrangement (for example, mounted on the radiation shield support structure 122).

[0063] Figures 42 and 43 show additional diagrams of three stacked support members 190 positioned between the bottoms of the radiation shield support structure 122. Although not shown in these figures, radiation shield panels 124 may also be interposed in the depicted arrangement (for example, mounted on the radiation shield support structure 122).

[0064] Figure 44 shows a container 130 encapsulated within a thermal radiation shielding 120 of the YKES2 100.

[0065] Figure 45 shows a longitudinal section of the assembly shown in Figure 44. Multiple stacked support members 190 used to physically support the radiation shield support structure 122 and the container 130 are also shown.

[0066] Figures 46 and 47 show another exemplary embodiment of the YKES2 400. The YKES2 400 is similar to the YKES2 100, except that the shape of the vacuum chamber 410 and container 430 of the YKES2 400 differs from that of the vacuum chamber 110 and container 130 of the YKES2 100. The container 430 of the YKES2 400 can have a larger volume than the container 130 of the YKES2 100.

[0067] Figures 48 and 49 show another exemplary embodiment of the YKES2 500. The YKES2 500 operates similarly to the YKES2 100. However, the arrangement of the heater assembly 560, heat receiver assembly 580, and container 530 in the YKES2 500 differs from that of the heater assembly 160, heat receiver assembly 180, and container 130 in the YKES2 100.

[0068] Additional details regarding the features and configuration of YKES2 YKES2 is a newly invented energy storage system that can store and maintain renewable energy obtained from solar panels and / or wind turbines as thermal energy in a thermal storage medium such as molten silicon for the long-term and continuous supply of energy to users (e.g., over weeks or months). Silicon melts at approximately 1,415°C. The heat of fusion of silicon is 496 watt-hours / kg, while the heat of fusion of solar salt is 45 watt-hours / kg, and the heat of fusion of water is 99 watt-hours / kg. One of the main strategies of YKES2 is to maximize the utilization of silicon's unusually large heat of fusion, to provide extensive insulation with multiple layers of metal thermal radiation shielding sheets, and to actively minimize the loss of thermal energy in silicon through ingenious and novel ideas and physical embodiments of those ideas.

[0069] The long-term storage of silicon at temperatures between 1,400°C and 1,500°C, and the efficient use of the stored thermal energy, require creative solutions to technical challenges that no one has solved up to YKES2. The technical challenges to be solved are described herein, and the following sections describe original and novel solutions to these technical challenges, or original and novel minimizations of these challenges to a negligible level. A brief description of the technical challenges, how some of them are solved, and how some of them are reduced to a negligible level are presented below. For convenience, the high-temperature solid silicon and / or molten silicon contained in the crucible will be collectively referred to as the "Si crucible."

[0070] A high degree of thermal insulation of molten silicon is required to maintain the thermal energy of the Si crucible for weeks or months. This is achieved in YKES2 by the extensive use of multiple layers of radiant shielding surrounding the Si crucible in a vacuum chamber. The shielding material must be able to withstand the high temperatures of the Si crucible. Examples of metals that can be used as shielding materials are molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, and rhenium, or alloys thereof. Refractory ceramics such as alumina, magnesia, aluminosilicates, silicon carbide, and other ceramic compositions are also possible. These examples of shielding materials are not limiting. The multiple layers of radiant shielding sheets will be referred to for convenience as "Global Multiple Layers of Radiation Shielding" or simply "G-shielding". In one embodiment, the G-shielding consists of 10 to 15 sheets of molybdenum for the inner layer and 10 to 15 sheets of stainless steel for the outer layer of the G-shielding. The location where the transition from a highly refractory material (inner layer) to a less refractory material can occur is not limited; it depends on the specific design and application of the G-shielding. The choice of molybdenum and stainless steel as radiant shielding sheets is also not limited.

[0071] YKES2 maximizes the transfer of thermal energy from the ohm heater to the Si crucible and minimizes the loss of thermal energy from the Si crucible to the ohm heater and the loss of thermal energy from the ohm heater to the outside when the ohm heater is idle. The goal is to maximize energy transfer from the ohm heater to the Si crucible via thermal radiation when the ohm heater is heated by current from a solar panel and / or wind turbine. The term ohm heater as used herein is defined as any device that converts electrical energy into heat. Conventional resistance heaters and induction heaters are non-limiting examples of such ohm heaters. Another goal is to minimize the loss of thermal energy from the Si crucible to the outside via thermal radiation to the ohm heater through the Si crucible and via thermal radiation from the ohm heater to the electrical wires connecting the ohm heater to the outside when the ohm heater is not heated by electricity from a solar panel and / or wind turbine (i.e., idle). The goal of YKES2 is to reduce such thermal energy losses in silicon to a negligible level.

[0072] YKES2 provides an optimal rate of thermal radiation of thermal energy from the Si-crucible to the working fluid (e.g., water / steam, etc.) in the heat receiver (e.g., heat exchange tank), minimizing the loss of thermal energy from the Si-crucible to the heat exchange tank and the loss of heat conduction from the heat exchange tank to the outside through the pipes of the heat exchange tank. This is to control the rate of energy transfer from the Si-crucible to the heat exchange tank so that the working fluid (e.g., steam / water, etc.) is heated to the optimal temperature for the working fluid, and to minimize the loss of thermal energy from the Si-crucible to the outside through heat conduction through the heat exchange tank and through the pipes of the working fluid connected to the heat exchange tank. Such loss of thermal energy from the Si-crucible to the outside always occurs even when there is no thermal energy transfer from the Si-crucible to the working fluid in the heat exchange tank. YKES2 reduces such loss of thermal energy from the Si-crucible to a negligible level.

[0073] YKES2 minimizes thermal energy loss from the Si crucible due to heat conduction by using advanced support structures for the Si crucible and G-shielding. Floating of the Si crucible and G-shielding in the middle of the vacuum chamber is not possible. Instead, the Si crucible and G-shielding must be physically supported within the empty space of the vacuum chamber by a weight-stress support structure. The weight of each layer of the Si crucible and G-shielding must be supported and structurally fixed by a weight / stress support skeletal structure made from materials such as molybdenum and stainless steel. Heat conduction from the Si crucible due to direct physical contact between the support structure and the Si crucible, direct physical contact between each layer of the G-shielding, and direct physical contact between the support structure and the outermost layer of the G-shielding and the inner wall of the vacuum chamber is unavoidable. However, such heat conduction is reduced to a negligible level in YKES2.

[0074] YKES2 uses environmentally friendly, chemically stable, and non-toxic materials. This is achieved through the careful selection of specific types of metals (e.g., molybdenum and stainless steel), specific types of ceramics (e.g., zirconia and alumina), and silicon carbide. No environmentally harmful chemicals or rare materials are used in YKES2.

[0075] For the purpose of further explanation, YKES2 will henceforth be divided into four functional domains (i.e., Si-crucible, T-heater, T-steam, and G-shielding). Figure 1 shows a 3D (three-dimensional) view of an exemplary YKES2 100. The surface of the YKES2 100 shown is the outer wall of the vacuum chamber 110. Figure 1 also shows electrical leads, pipes, and mechanical gears and electric motors on the upper surface of the vacuum chamber 110. Figure 2 shows a schematic "map" of the four functional domains of YKES2 100 when horizontally cut in half by a hypothetical horizontal plane. Each functional domain performs one or more specific functions of YKES2. For convenience, we will refer to the four functional domains as "E-storage" 130, "T-heater" 160, "T-steam" 180, and "G-shielding" 120. E-Storage 130 is a domain in which the thermal energy of high-temperature silicon or molten silicon is stored. T-Heater 160 is a domain in which YKES2 100 receives current from solar panels and / or wind turbines, which heats an ohm heater, the ohm heater radiates heat to E-Storage 130, and heats the silicon in E-Storage 130. T-Steam 180 is a domain in which a working fluid (e.g., water / steam, etc.) is heated by the heat radiation it receives from E-Storage 130, and the heated working fluid is sent to users who use the thermal energy. G-Shielding 120 is a multi-layer radiant shielding sheet of a specific metal for the long-term storage of the thermal energy of the silicon in E-Storage 130. G-Shielding 120 also provides insulation for T-Heater 160 and T-Steam 180. The four functional domains are enclosed within a vacuum chamber 110. Each of the four functional domains of YKES2 100 is described individually in the following sections.

[0076] Thermal energy storage (E-storage) "Si-crucible" and "E-storage" are used interchangeably. "E-storage" is used to highlight it as one of the four functional domains of YKES2. "Si-crucible" is used to highlight it as a bulk material that stores thermal energy.

[0077] Figure 3 shows a 3D view of the E-storage 130. It is a specially shaped crucible containing silicon with its lid in place. The reason for this specially shaped E-storage 130 is as follows: Figure 4 shows three interpenetrating cylinders of different diameters having the same height. The middle cylinder has a larger diameter than the two other cylinders. Some parts of the two smaller cylinders interpenetrate each other into the centrally positioned cylinder at two opposite sides of the centrally positioned cylinder. One part of the centrally positioned cylinder is interpenetrated by the left cylinder. Another part of the centrally positioned cylinder is interpenetrated by the right cylinder. The third part is a part of the centrally positioned cylinder that is not interpenetrated by the two smaller cylinders.

[0078] Figure 3 shows a 3D view of a centrally located cylinder that is not penetrated by two smaller cylinders. This is the so-called "Si-crucible" 130, also known as the "E-storage" 130. It is a crucible 130 containing high-temperature solid silicon, molten silicon, or a combination of high-temperature solid silicon and molten silicon. The crucible 130 has a lid on top of it. A preferred (but not limited) material for the crucible 130 containing molten silicon is silicon carbide. Other materials such as alumina or graphite may also be considered for specific applications. The concave surface of the cylindrical shape of the E-storage 130 is the surface on which the Si-crucible 130 receives thermal radiation from the ohm heater of the T-heater 160, and is also the surface on which the Si-crucible sends its thermal radiation to heat the water / steam in the built-in heat exchange tank of the T-steam 180. The special shape of the concave surface on the cylindrical shape of the Si-crucible 130 provides efficient exchange of heat radiation between the Si-crucible 130 and the ohm heater, and also between the Si-crucible 130 and the heat exchange tank. The ingenious features of the shape of the Si-crucible 130, as well as the resulting efficient heat radiation transfer in vacuum between the Si-crucible and the ohm heater in the T-heater 160, and between the Si-crucible 130 and the heat exchange tank in the T-steam 180, are described in a later section.

[0079] Figure 5 shows a 3D view of an empty Si crucible 130. A pyramidal structure 132 is present, protruding from the bottom surface of the crucible 130. The height of the "pyramid" 132 is slightly less than the height of the inner wall of the crucible 130. The total volume of the "pyramid" 132 is approximately equal to 10% of the total internal volume of the crucible 130. The density of molten silicon is about 10% higher than that of solid silicon. Therefore, as the molten silicon cools, it expands by about 10% of its volume when it solidifies at about 1,415°C. A crucible 130 containing molten silicon without the "pyramid" 132 may crack when the molten silicon turns into solid silicon and its volume expands. The solidified silicon mass will easily float to the upper surface due to the presence of the "pyramid" 132 in the crucible 130. A crucible 130 with a large internal volume can have two or more "pyramids" 132 inside it. The "pyramids" 132 inside the crucible 130 are a novel solution to the problem arising from the volume expansion of silicon when it changes from liquid to solid. Figure 6 is a 3D longitudinal cross-section of the crucible with its lid, which is filled with molten silicon 140 to about 80% of the height of its internal wall.

[0080] YKES2 minimizes thermal radiation from silicon to the ohm heater (T-heater 160). The concept and design of how the T-heater 160 works constitute a key and novel feature of YKES2. The function of the T-heater 160 is to receive energy from solar panels and / or wind turbines, as well as to radiate its thermal energy from the ohm heater to the Si-crucible 130.

[0081] In some embodiments, the T-heater 160 consists of three main parts. As shown in Figure 8, the first main part of the T-heater 160 is the built-in ohm heating unit 161 (ohm heater 161). The ohm heater 161 receives an electric current from a solar panel and / or wind turbine, and the current heats the ohm heater 161. The heated ohm heater 161 emits thermal radiation, which arrives at the Si-crucible 130 and heats the silicon 140 in the Si-crucible 130. It should be noted that the concave surface geometry of the cylindrical shape of the E-storage 130 facing the ohm heater 161 increases the efficiency of heat transport by thermal radiation from the ohm heater 161. Suitable materials for the ohm heater 161 (but not limited to) are tungsten and molybdenum, or suitable alloys thereof.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9, a second main component of the T-heater 160 is a set of immovable thermal radiation shielding sheets 162, which are roughly aligned with one another. This set of immovable thermal radiation shielding sheets is thermally reflective and may also be referred to herein, for convenience, as “thermal radiation deflection shielding sheets” or simply “B-shielding” 162. The role of the B-shielding 162 is to shield to the greatest extent possible thermal radiation from the ohm heater 161 in directions not directed toward the Si-crucible 130. It effectively deflects thermal radiation from the ohm heater toward the ohm heater 161 and the E-storage 130. The B-shielding 162 more effectively directs the thermal radiation from the ohm heater 161 toward the E-storage 130.

[0083] As shown in Figure 10, the third main component of the T-heater 160 is two units of a rotatable multilayer radiant shielding sheet 164. One of the two units of the rotatable multilayer radiant shielding sheet will be referred to as the “rotatable radiant shielding layer” or “R-shielding” 164. The R-shielding 164 is an important and novel feature of the YKES2 100. The two units of the R-shielding 164 are mechanically connected to a vertical “rod” 165. The two units of the R-shielding 164 are supported by the “mechanical arms” of the vertical rod 165. Figure 11 shows the assembly of the ohm heater 161, the B-shielding 162, and the two units of the R-shielding 164.

[0084] Figure 12 shows a portion of the G-shielding 166 that provides insulation for the T-heater 160. Figure 13 shows a 3D view of the T-heater 160, which includes the Ohm heater 161, the B-shielding 162, and two R-shielding units (when these three parts are housed within the portion of the G-shielding 166).

[0085] Note that the multi-layer radiant shielding sheets (G-shielding 120 / 166) surrounding the entire assembly of E-storage 130, T-heater 160, and T-steam 180 are fixed and not movable (not rotatable). In contrast, the two units of R-shielding 164 are movable (rotatable). One unit of R-shielding 164 is a set of multi-layer radiant shielding sheets of molybdenum and stainless steel that are parallel aligned and curved into a cylindrical shape, and it extends over a portion of an arc greater than 45 degrees and less than 120 degrees. The two units of R-shielding 164 occupy a specific proportion of a complete circle (360 degrees) mutually exclusive of each other. In other words, the two units of R-shielding 164 do not overlap on their circular track. The two units of R-shielding 164 rotate in opposite directions on their common circular track. When one unit of the R-shielding 164 rotates clockwise, the other unit of the R-shielding 164 rotates counterclockwise, and vice versa. The rotations of the two units of the R-shielding 164 are synchronized by the same mechanical gears driven by a single electric motor. The two units of the R-shielding 164 are separated by a specific angle along their common circular track. In other respects, the two R-shieldings 164 are essentially identical.

[0086] Figures 14–16 show 3D views of two units of R-shielding 164 in three different positions on its circular track. Figure 14 is a 3D view of two units of R-shielding 164, where they are almost touching on its circular track. Figure 15 is a 3D view of two units of shielding 164, where they are somewhat separated on its circular track. Figure 16 is a 3D view of two units of R-shielding 164, where they are furthest apart on its circular track. Figure 16 clearly shows how the two units of R-shielding 164 are mechanically connected to a straight, vertically oriented "rod" 165, which is the axis of rotation of the two units of R-shielding 164.

[0087] Figures 17 and 18 show the arrangement when the two units of the R-shielding 164 are almost touching on its circular track. Figure 17 is a schematic top view of the T-heater 160 with the two units of the R-shielding 164 in the aforementioned position. A portion of the Si-crucible 130, a portion of the G-shielding 120 / 166, and a portion of the wall of the vacuum chamber 110 are also shown. Figure 18 shows the same two units of the R-shielding 164 in the same position, which are housed within a portion of the G-shielding 166 that thermally insulates the T-heater 160. In this case, thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is blocked. In other words, the path for thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is "closed" by the two units of the R-shielding 164.

[0088] Figures 19 and 20 show the arrangement of the T-heater 160, where two units of the R-shielding 164 are separated from each other to some extent on its circular track. A portion of the Si-crucible 130, a portion of the G-shielding 120 / 166, and a portion of the wall of the vacuum chamber 110 are also shown in Figure 19. Figure 20 shows the two units of the R-shielding 164 in a partially open position, housed within the aforementioned portion of the G-shielding 166. In this case, the thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is partially blocked (or partially open). In other words, the thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is either "partially closed" or "partially open".

[0089] Figures 21 and 22 show the arrangement of the T-heater 160, where the two units of the R-shielding 164 are separated at the furthest distance on its circular track. A portion of the Si-crucible 130, a portion of the G-shielding 120 / 166, and a portion of the wall of the vacuum chamber 110 are also shown in Figure 21. Figure 22 shows the two units of the R-shielding 164 in the aforementioned position, housed within the portion of the G-shielding 166. In this case, the thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is not blocked at all. In other words, the thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is completely "open".

[0090] The rotational movement of the two units of the R-shielding 164 involves friction between the contacting surfaces. Since the two units of the R-shielding 164 rotate on their circular track around the axis of rotation, friction exists between the two contacting, relatively moving solid surfaces. The two units of the R-shielding 164 are mechanically connected to two vertically oriented concentric axes of rotation. The two concentric vertical axes of rotation are connected to a single axis of rotation through a mechanical connection between the two concentric axes of rotation and the single axis of rotation by simple mechanical gears.

[0091] For convenience, the combination of two concentric axes of rotation interlocked with each other as an assembly and a single axis of rotation will be referred to as the "V-rod" 165 for convenience. Two units of the R-shielding 164 rotate in opposite directions on their circular track around the V-rod 165 as their common axis of rotation. The lower part of the V-rod 165 passes through the holes in the respective bottom layers of the G-shielding 120 / 166 and reaches a concave pit on the bottom surface of the vacuum chamber 110. The concave pit on the bottom surface of the vacuum chamber 110, on which the lower end of the V-rod 165 "sits," is made from a combination of alumina and zirconia due to its hardness at high temperatures. The upper part of the V-rod 165 passes through the holes in the respective layers of the G-shielding 166 and the holes on the upper wall of the vacuum chamber 110. The upper part of the V-rod 165 is a single "rod" that passes through a hole on the upper surface of the vacuum chamber 110. The hole in the vacuum chamber 110 through which the upper part of the V-rod 165 passes from the inside to the outside of the vacuum chamber 110 is "vacuum sealed" by a ferromagnetic vacuum sealing device.

[0092] Friction between two solid surfaces in contact generates heat and causes wear on the solids. Such heat generation and wear on the contacting solid surfaces are unavoidable. However, this is not a problem for YKES2 as described herein. There are at least two reasons for this.

[0093] The first reason is that the angular velocity of the rotation of the two units of the R-shielding 164 when they actually rotate is very low. Therefore, the angular velocity of the V-rod 165 is also very low. The angular velocities of the two units of the R-shielding 164 and the V-rod 165 are only about 1-2 RPM (revolutions per minute). Therefore, the friction between the V-rod 165 and any surface it is in direct contact with is negligible. The second reason is that the rotation of the two R-shieldings 164 occurs in the internal space of the YKES2, where the temperature is much lower than that of the E-storage 130. This is because most of the intense thermal radiation from the Si-crucible 130 is shielded by the B-shielding 162 on which the V-rod 165 rotates. This is another important role of the B-shielding 162.

[0094] For example, the temperature in the region of YKES2 where the V-rod 165 is positioned is expected to be approximately 500°C or less, when the temperature of the Si-crucible 130 can reach a high of about 1,500°C. At a temperature of approximately 500°C, the surface hardness of molybdenum, zirconia, alumina, and even stainless steel is not weakened. The V-rod 165 and all surfaces in direct contact with the V-rod 165 are made of molybdenum, stainless steel, zirconia, or alumina. For these two reasons, the friction problem between the V-rod 165 and the surface of the vacuum chamber 110 is negligible. Thus, various mechanical gears (e.g., unlubricated rotors or gears) can be used for the rotation of the two units of the R-shielding 164. This is an ingenious and novel feature of YKES2.

[0095] The R-shielding 164 and T-steam 180 of the T-heater 160 have different types of movement. The above describes how the circular movement of the two units of the R-shielding 164 on a horizontal circular track can control the "power of thermal radiation" (the amount of energy transmitted through thermal radiation per unit time) between the Si-crucible 130 and the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160, and between the Si-crucible 130 and the working fluid of the T-steam 180. However, the "mechanism" for controlling the power of thermal radiation is not limited to the control "mechanism" facilitated by the two rotatable units of the R-shielding 164 as described above. For example, provided that the size of a single unit of R-shielding 164 is large enough to "block" the heat radiation between Si-crucible 130 and T-heater 160 and between Si-crucible 130 and T-steam 180 (when it is moved down to a location between ohm heater 161 and Si-crucible 130, or between the heat exchange tank of T-steam 180 and Si-crucible 130), a single unit of R-shielding 164 can be moved vertically up and down on a straight vertical track to control the power of radiation exchanged between Si-crucible 130 and ohm heater 161 of T-heater 160, and / or between Si-crucible 130 and the working fluid of T-steam 180. In another example, two units of R-shielding 164 can be rotated simultaneously in opposite directions on a single circular track that is horizontal and curved to coincide with a layer of G-shielding 166. However, such rotation of the two units of the R-shielding 164 would require a complex mechanical design. Rotatable movement of the two units of the R-shielding 164, as described herein, is a suitable design for the YKES2.

[0096] Thermal radiation is transferred from the Si-crucible 130 to the heat receiver (e.g., a heat exchange tank) in the T-steam 180. The structure of the functional parts of the T-steam 180 is almost identical to that of the T-heater 160, except that thermal radiation occurs between the E-storage 130 and the built-in heat receiver (e.g., a heat exchanger or heat exchange tank in the T-steam 180). The function of the T-steam 180 is to transfer thermal radiation from the E-storage 130 to the built-in heat receiver in the T-steam 180, to the working fluid in the heat exchange tank (e.g., to heat steam / water), to properly regulate the rate of heat transfer from the E-storage 130 to the steam / water in the heat exchange tank, and to control or regulate the temperature of the departing steam.

[0097] The rate of thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is controlled by the simple rotation of the two units of the R-shielding 164. Thermal radiation from the Si-crucible 130 to the heat exchange tank of the T-steam 180 is controlled by the same rotation of the two units of the R-shielding 164, as described above in the context of the T-heater 160. The only difference with respect to the T-steam 180 is that the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 is replaced by a heat receiver (e.g., a heat exchange tank) containing the working fluid for the T-steam 180. In other respects, the manner in which thermal radiation is passed between the heat exchange tank of the T-steam 180 and the Si-crucible 130 is controlled in the same manner as the thermal radiation between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the Si-crucible 130 is controlled.

[0098] Two units of R-shielding 164 and B-shielding 162 play ingenious and versatile roles in YKES2. Such important features and functions of the two units of R-shielding 164 and B-shielding 162 can be further illustrated with reference to two schematic graphics in Figures 23 and 24. The walls of the Si-crucible 130, G-shielding 120 / 166, and vacuum chamber 110 are schematically shown, as are the positions and orientations of the three parts of T-heater 160 and T-steam 180. In Figure 23, the unit of T-heater 160 is mounted to the right of E-storage 130, and the unit of T-steam 180 is mounted to the left of E-storage 130. In both the T-heater 160 and the T-steam 180, the positions of the two units of the R-shielding 164 on its circular track, as well as the fixed positions of the B-shielding 162 and ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the heat exchange tank 181 of the T-steam 180, are shown in Figure 24.

[0099] Figure 23 shows an arrangement in which the ohm heater 161 in the T-heater 160 can send a portion of its heat radiation to the E-storage 130 without partial obstruction due to the partially "open" position of the two units of the R-shielding 164, while the heat exchange tank 181 of the T-steam 180 can fully receive heat radiation from the E-storage 130 due to the fully "open" position of the two units of the R-shielding 184. Figure 24 shows a different arrangement in which the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 does not send its heat radiation to the E-storage 130 due to obstruction by the R-shielding 164, while the heat radiation from the E-storage 130 to the heat exchange tank 181 of the T-steam 180 is not obstructed at all. The exemplary configurations in Figures 23 and 24 demonstrate the excellent versatility of YKES2 as a new ESS. The T-heater 160 and T-steam 180 of the YKES2 can operate independently of each other to ensure optimal performance for each component. This is a novel feature of the YKES2 as a new ESS (Energy System).

[0100] In some embodiments, the YKES2 can also benefit from having multiple units of T-steam and / or T-heaters connected to one large E-storage. Such benefits of the YKES2 are greater when two or more units of T-steam are attached to one large E-storage. In some embodiments, one large E-storage and one unit of T-heaters can be combined with two or more units of T-steam. The heating rate of the working fluid in one unit of T-steam can be controlled to heat the working fluid in each heat exchange tank to a specific predetermined temperature. For example, the water / steam in one unit of T-steam can be heated to a specific temperature optimal for a particular application of the steam departing, while the working fluid in another unit of T-steam can be heated to another optimally desired temperature. Since the heating rate of steam / water in each unit of T-steam can be controlled independently, a large-capacity YKES2 can independently and simultaneously heat the steam / water or working fluid in each unit of T-steam with respect to each of the many units of T-steam. In a large industrial plant complex, it is conceivable that one large, centrally located YKES2 would heat multiple distinct working fluids at different temperatures in multiple distinct industrial processes. This type of application of high-capacity YKES2 would significantly reduce or eliminate large-scale energy consumption from fossil fuels in large industrial manufacturing or petrochemical complexes. As an example, Figures 25 and 26 show a 3D diagram of a YKES2 200, which has a high-capacity E-storage unit, two T-heater units 260 (one for energy collection from solar panels and the other for energy collection from wind turbines), and two T-steam units 280 for heating one industrial heating process to its optimal temperature (e.g., 900°C) and another T-steam unit 280 for heating another industrial process to its optimal temperature (e.g., 500°C).Figures 27 and 28 show another exemplary large-capacity YKES2 300, which has one large E-storage and can also have two units of T-heaters 360 and six units of T-steamers 380 (or any other combination of T-heaters 360 and T-steamers 380). This YKES2 300 can be used, for example, to receive energy from solar panels and independently from wind turbines, and on the other hand, it can simultaneously and independently heat six different industrial heating processes at six different temperatures with respect to each industrial heating process of a large industrial plant.

[0101] The YKES2 described herein has a high degree of thermal insulation from global multi-layer radiant shielding (G-shielding) 120 / 166 / 186.

[0102] The entire assembly of one or more units of the E-storage 130, T-heater 160, and T-steam 180 is wrapped in multiple layers of radiant shielding metal sheets (G-shielding) 120 / 166 / 186 within a vacuum chamber 110, except for a few necessary openings that allow the passage of electrical wires for the ohm heater 161, measuring instrument wires, and pipes for steam / water (or other working fluid) connected to the heat exchange tank (all of which pass through holes in the respective layers of G-shielding 120 / 166 / 186). In some embodiments, a preferred vacuum level is between 10^-3 Torr and 10^-4 Torr. The vacuum pressure level is high enough to prevent volatilization of molten silicon and various refractory shielding and crucible materials in use with YKES2. The pressure level is also low enough to provide dramatically reduced thermal conductivity of any remaining air or atmosphere in the vacuum chamber. Such vacuum levels are achievable in large containers.

[0103] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the exemplary YKES2 100 has one unit of E-storage 130 in the center, with one unit of T-heater 160 and one unit of T-steam 180 on either side of the E-storage 130. The key parts of the YKES2 100, such as the E-storage 130, the T-heater 160 and its components, and the T-steam 180 and its associated components (e.g., electrical wires, working fluid pipes, and most of the V-rods), are enclosed within the vacuum chamber 110. Figure 29 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the YKES2 100 when cut horizontally in half by a virtual horizontal plane. For visual clarity, it shows only the five layers of G-shielding 120 / 166 / 186. In practice, the G-shielding 120 / 166 / 186 consists of approximately 10-15 inner layers of thermal radiation shielding sheets made from molybdenum and approximately 10-15 outer layers of thermal radiation shielding sheets made from stainless steel. By having such a number of radiation-shielding layers in a vacuum, the thermal energy loss from the Si-crucible 130 can be reduced to a negligible level in the YKES2 100.

[0104] Figure 29 shows that there are “small” gaps that divide each layer of G-shielding into its three domains (120, 166, and 186). Figure 30 shows a schematic top view of the horizontal surface of the layers of G-shielding, which are divided into three domains 120, 166, and 186 by two narrow gaps. Other components, such as the walls of the vacuum chamber 30, are not shown in Figure 30 for clarity. Each layer of G-shielding is divided into three domains 120, 166, and 186, as shown in Figure 30.

[0105] The first domain 120 of the G-shielding is a part of the G-shielding that surrounds the surface of the Si-crucible 130, except for the cylindrical concave surface that is open for heat radiation exchange between the ohm heater 161 of the T-heater 160 and the heat receiver (e.g., heat exchange tank) of the T-steam 180. The second domain 166 of the G-shielding is a part of the G-shielding that surrounds the surface of the T-heater 160, except for the open region of the T-heater 160 where the T-heater 160 exchanges heat radiation with the cylindrical concave surface of the Si-crucible 130. The third domain of the G-shielding is a part of the G-shielding 186 that surrounds the surface of the T-steam 180, except for the open region of the T-steam 180 where the T-steam 180 exchanges heat radiation with the cylindrical concave surface of the Si-crucible 130.

[0106] The three domains 120, 166, and 186 of the G-shielding are physically separated from each other by narrow gaps between them. The size of these narrow gaps is only a few millimeters. However, these gaps are important. Due to these narrow gaps, the layer of G-shielding is not continuous. It is divided into three domains. The first domain 120 of the G-shielding shields against thermal radiation from the Si-crucible 130, the second domain 166 of the G-shielding shields against thermal radiation from the T-heater 160, and the third domain 186 of the G-shielding shields against thermal radiation from the T-steam 180. Clearly, the thermal radiation from the T-heater 160 and T-steam 180 is weaker than the thermal radiation from the Si-crucible 130. This is because the temperature of the Si-crucible 130 is much higher than the temperature of the T-heater 160 or T-steam 180.

[0107] If the layers of G-shielding are not physically separated by narrow gaps, then heat conduction will exist from the first domain 120 of the G-shielding to the second domain 166 of the G-shielding, and also from the third domain 186 of the G-shielding. For example, if there are no gaps dividing the tenth layer of G-shielding into three domains 120, 166, and 186, then heat conduction will exist from the tenth layer of the first domain 120 of the G-shielding to the tenth layer of the second domain 166 of the G-shielding, and also from the tenth layer of the third domain 186 of the G-shielding. This applies to any layer of G-shielding 120, 166, and 186.

[0108] The power of thermal radiation is proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature of a solid object. Therefore, it is important that the second domain 166 layer and the third domain 186 layer of the G-shielding are not heated to higher temperatures by heat conduction from the first domain 120 of the G-shielding. The presence of narrow gaps (physical separation) between the three different domains 120, 166, and 186 of the G-shielding prevents heat conduction from the hotter first domain 120 of the G-shielding to the colder second and third domains 166 and 186 of the G-shielding. Incorporating narrow gaps within each of the layers of the G-shielding 120, 166, and 186 is a novel feature of YKES2.

[0109] The YKES2 described herein utilizes measures that result in the active minimization of thermal energy loss from the Si-crucible 130 through heat conduction via material-to-material contact of the support structure of the Si-crucible 130 and the G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186. Non-radiative heat conduction exists from the Si-crucible 130 to the walls of the vacuum chamber 110 through material-to-material contact of the support structure that supports the structural integrity and weight of the Si-crucible 130, as well as the weight of all layers of the G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186. The YKES2 employs a novel design that reduces the thermal energy from the Si-crucible 130 through this unavoidable heat conduction to a negligible level. This novel design and its physical embodiments are described below.

[0110] The Si-crucible 130 is surrounded by G-shielding 120 in a vacuum chamber 110, which cools it gradually due to two channels of thermal energy loss from the Si-crucible 130. Since the vacuum in the vacuum chamber 110 of YKES2 is sufficiently strong, the convective heat loss of YKES2 is completely negligible. One channel is thermal radiation from the Si-crucible 130, and the other is heat conduction through physical material-to-material contact of its supporting structure. The thermal energy loss from the Si-crucible 130 due to thermal radiation can be minimized to a negligible level by applying G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186 in the vacuum chamber 110. The provision of YKES2 for preventing or minimizing such radiative losses is described in detail herein.

[0111] The other channel is the loss of thermal energy from the Si-crucible 130 through heat conduction via intermaterial contact between the YKES2 support structure of the Si-crucible 130 and the respective layers of G-shielding 120, 166, and 186. The Si-crucible 130 and the G-shielding 120, 166, and 186 cannot float in the middle of the vacuum chamber. In the real world, the Si-crucible 130 and the G-shielding 120, 166, and 186 surrounding the Si-crucible 130 must be supported by a specific physical structure (scaffolding) that holds and supports the Si-crucible 130 and the G-shielding 120, 166, and 186 in the middle of the empty space of the vacuum chamber 110. The structures supporting the Si-crucible 130 and the G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186 have direct material-to-material contact with the Si-crucible 130 and the respective layers of the G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186. Therefore, there is a natural possibility of heat conduction from the Si-crucible 130 to the outside through numerous routes of material contact between the Si-crucible 130 and the supporting structures of the respective layers of the G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186. Some loss of thermal energy from the Si-crucible 130 due to this heat conduction is unavoidable. However, it is minimized to a negligible level in YKES2. This is achieved as will be explained shortly below.

[0112] In YKES2, the support structure is provided by a stack of specially shaped solid objects made from thermally insulating materials such as zirconia. The specially shaped zirconia pieces become components of the assembled stack of zirconia pieces.

[0113] Figures 31-34 show 3D views of four differently shaped pieces of solid zirconia. The four differently shaped zirconia pieces can be interlocked with each other to effectively form a single zirconia block. Figures 35 and 36 show 3D views of the interlocked zirconia piece assembly and a side view of the assembly (also referred to as a stack). A "+" shaped groove is present on the upper surface of the zirconia piece assembly, and another "+" shaped groove is present on the bottom surface of the assembly. The "+" shaped grooves on the upper and bottom surfaces are a special feature of the interlocked zirconia piece assembly, which allows the interlocked zirconia piece assembly to interlock with the "cross intersection" of the horizontal skeletal structure of the bottom layer of the G-shielding, as further described herein. The following subsection will explain how the assembly of the zirconia pieces and the horizontal skeletal structure of the G-shielding's bottom layer interlocks. The interlocked zirconia piece assemblies shown in Figures 35 and 36 may also be referred to as "zirconia blocks" for convenience.

[0114] YKES2 includes a skeletal structure or framework fabricated from interconnected rods and beams of molybdenum and stainless steel to hold and support the respective layers of Si-crucible 130 and G-shielding 120, 166, and 186. Each layer of G-shielding 120, 166, and 186 is generated when the 3D skeleton of interconnected rods and beams is wrapped in thin sheets of molybdenum or stainless steel. For convenience, the vertical components of the skeletal structure are referred to herein as “rods,” and the horizontal components of the skeletal structure are referred to herein as “beams.”

[0115] Figure 37 shows a 3D view of an exemplary skeletal structure 122 of interconnected rods and beams. The skeletal structure 122 shown is in its state before the molybdenum or stainless steel radiation shielding sheets are attached to it. Figure 38 shows the skeletal structure 122 with some of the layers of G-shielding 120, 166, and 186 attached to it. This is a 3D view of the layers of G-shielding 120, 166, and 186. In Figure 38, some of the continuously covered surfaces with thin sheets of molybdenum or stainless steel are deliberately shown without the sheets to convey an understanding of the construction of the layers of G-shielding 120, 166, and 186.

[0116] Figure 39 shows a schematic 2D top view of the bottom horizontal skeletal structure 122 of the cross-intersecting beams. The two mutually cross-intersecting beams create a "+" shaped cross-intersecting beam. Numerous locations of the zirconia block 190 in the bottom horizontal skeletal structure of layers 120, 166, and 186 of the G-shielding are shown. Figure 40 shows a detailed 3D view of one zirconia block 190 mechanically interlocked with the cross-intersecting horizontal beams on the top surface of the zirconia block 190 and the cross-intersecting horizontal beams on the bottom surface of the zirconia block 190. Figure 41 shows a detailed 2D side view of the same zirconia block 190 and the same two cross-intersecting horizontal beams.

[0117] Figure 42 shows a 3D view of three consecutive neighboring horizontal skeletal structures 122 with three consecutive layers of G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186. Figure 42 also shows numerous vertical columns of zirconia blocks 190 at many cross intersections of the horizontal beam. Figure 43 shows a portion of Figure 42 with more detail of the vertical columns of zirconia blocks 190 traversing the three horizontal skeletal structures of the beam. Each vertical column of zirconia blocks 190 shows three units of zirconia blocks 190. The vertical columns of zirconia blocks 190 are mechanically interlocked with the three layers of horizontal skeletal structures 122 with three layers of G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186.

[0118] Figure 44 shows a 3D view of the Si-crucible 130 and G-shielding 120 with a vertical cutting plane. Figure 45 shows the Si-crucible 130 and G-shielding 120 when cut in half vertically along the cutting plane. The gaps between layers of the G-shielding 120 in Figure 45 are exaggerated for visual clarity. For visual clarity, it shows only three vertical columns of the zirconia block 190 supporting the weight of the Si-crucible 130 and the weight of the layers of G-shielding 120. In actual YKES2, there may be approximately 20-30 vertical columns of the zirconia block 190 supporting the weight of the Si-crucible 130 and the weight of 20-30 layers of G-shielding 120. Figure 45 clearly shows that all routes for heat conduction from the Si crucible 130 to the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110 must pass through the vertical column of the zirconia block 190.

[0119] A key point regarding the zirconia block 190 is that the thermal conductivity across two separate hard surfaces in contact with each other is far lower than the thermal conductivity in the continuous body of the material. The thermal conductivity between two hard contact surfaces of a zirconia piece is approximately 30 to 50 times lower than the thermal conductivity in a continuous solid of zirconia. The zirconia block 190 contains several pairs of contact surfaces of stacked hard zirconia pieces. This means that the thermal conductivity from one end surface of the zirconia block 190 to the opposite end surface will be hundreds of times lower than the thermal conductivity of a single solid piece of zirconia of the same shape and size as the stacked zirconia block 190.

[0120] Figure 45 clearly schematicly illustrates that all physical paths (physical routes) for heat conduction from the Si-crucible 130 to the innermost layer of the G-shielding 120, and from the innermost layer of the G-shielding 120 to the wall of the vacuum chamber 110, pass through numerous zirconia blocks 190. The zirconia blocks 190 incorporated into / between the layers of the G-shielding 120 become a significant "bottleneck" in heat conduction from the Si-crucible 130 to the wall of the vacuum chamber 110. Since the zirconia blocks 190 contain five or more individual pieces of stacked zirconia, the loss of thermal energy in the Si-crucible 130 due to heat conduction is reduced to a negligible level. This is an ingenious and novel feature of the zirconia blocks 190 in YKES2.

[0121] Furthermore, the zirconia block 190 acts as a weight support for all layers of the Si-crucible 130 and G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186.

[0122] Figure 39 shows the horizontally cross-intersecting beams of the bottom layers of G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186. It shows numerous locations of zirconia blocks 190 at the cross-intersections of the horizontal beams. Figure 45 shows the vertical column of zirconia blocks 190 placed between two neighboring bottom layers of G-shielding 120. All zirconia blocks 190 between all pairs of neighboring layers of G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186 are vertically aligned. The vertical alignment of the zirconia blocks 190 is very important because a vertically aligned column of zirconia blocks 190 allows the zirconia blocks 190 to support the weight of the heavy Si-crucible 130 as well as the weight of all layers of G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186.

[0123] One cubic meter of silicon weighs approximately 2,300 kg. The total weight of the Si-crucible 130, as well as the weight of all layers of the G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186, is supported by multiple such columns of vertically aligned zirconia block 190. The number and location of such vertical columns of zirconia block 190 depend on the total mass of the Si-crucible 130, the height of the Si-crucible 130, the weight distribution of the Si-crucible 130, and other design factors. The horizontal layers of the G-shieldings 120, 166, and 186 between the zirconia block 190 are not subjected to mechanical stresses of bending or torsion, except for compressive stress. Calcium-stabilized zirconia is a preferred form of zirconia because calcium-stabilized zirconia and molybdenum are very strong against compression even in the temperature range of 1,500°C. The concept of vertical columns in zirconia block 190 is another novel feature of YKES2.

[0124] The use of zirconia block 190 dramatically reduces heat conduction from the Si-crucible 130 to the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 110 via numerous routes to a negligible level. The same zirconia block 190 provides strong structural support for the heavy weight of the Si-crucible 130 as well as the weight of all layers of G-shielding 120, 166, and 186.

[0125] Many variations or configurations of YKES2 are envisioned and fall within the scope of this disclosure. That is, YKES2 and its original and novel ideas and physical embodiments are not limited to the specific configurations and “architectures” described in previous sections. Additional variations of the geometric shape and architecture of YKES2 for large-scale multi-functional versions of YKES2 are described in this section.

[0126] The cross-sectional shape of the E-storage can be polygonal. The 3D shape of the E-storage described above is a circular cylinder. However, YKES2 is not limited to the E-storage in the form of a circular cylinder. The 3D shape of the E-storage can be a polygonal cylinder (i.e., a tube with a polygonal cross-section). For example, Figures 46 and 47 show a 3D view of YKES2 with an E-storage shaped into a hexagon, and a schematic 2D top view of YKES2 when cut in half horizontally. Figures 48 and 49 show a 3D view of YKES2 with an E-storage shaped into a rectangle (one unit of the T-heater and one unit of the T-steam lying on the flat top surface of the E-storage), and a schematic 2D view of this type of YKES2 when cut in half vertically. The 3D shape of the E-storage is not limited to the configurations shown in Figures 46-49.

[0127] The YKES2 can be scaled up or down to include multiple units of T-heaters and T-steam. Significant advantages exist for a scaled-up, high-capacity YKES2. One large E-storage unit can be connected to multiple units of T-heaters and T-steam. Thus, the YKES2 can receive energy from solar panels in one unit of T-heaters, and simultaneously receive energy from a wind turbine in another T-heater. Both T-heater units can receive energy from solar panels or wind turbines simultaneously or independently. A YKES2 with one unit of E-storage, two units of T-heaters, and multiple units of T-steam could be extremely useful for many industrial heating applications. Multiple T-steam units attached to a single unit of E-storage can heat different working fluids at different temperatures for different industrial heating reactors. Several T-steam units can supply thermal energy at different temperatures simultaneously or independently to several different industrial heating reactors. For example, Figures 27 and 28 show a 3D view of the YKES2 300 with a collection of eight units of T-heaters 360 and T-steamers 380 mounted on the vertical wall of a large E-storage 330, as well as a schematic 2D top view of the YKES2 300 when cut in half horizontally. The E-storage 330 of the YKES2 300 receives thermal radiation from one or more units of the T-heaters 360, which are heated by current from a solar panel or wind turbine through a single unit of the T-heaters 360, and at the same time, the E-storage 330 of the YKES2 300 can send its thermal radiation to several separate heat exchange tanks of different units of the T-steamers 380, thereby heating the working fluid in each heat exchange tank of each T-steamer 380 to differently optimized temperatures. The large capacity of the YKES2 300 will be extremely useful for many industrial heating processes in steel mills, cement plants, and large petrochemical plants.Currently, such factories and plants use vast amounts of heat generated by the combustion of conventional fossil fuels, and this is accompanied by the release of vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

[0128] Applying YKES2 to industrial heating processes offers one enormous benefit in terms of energy conservation. In industrial heating processes, the thermal energy stored in a Si crucible is not converted into electricity through steam turbines and generators. Such conversion of thermal energy to electricity suffers from an unavoidable loss of over 60% of the Si crucible's thermal energy, due to the fundamental laws of thermodynamics. The thermodynamic efficiency of YKES2 for industrial heating processes should be much higher than 60%. It could even reach as high as 90% if the working fluid moving through the pipes is well thermally insulated.

[0129] The extreme insulation of large-scale YKES2 provides economic benefits. The insulation efficiency of YKES2 improves when the size of the G-shielding in YKES2 is larger. The volume of silicon (and therefore the amount of energy stored) expands and contracts according to the cube of its linear dimension, while the surface area of ​​the Si-crucible expands and contracts according to the square of its linear dimension. The rate of thermal energy loss of the Si-crucible through thermal radiation is proportional to its surface area. When YKES2 is large, it is possible to use more than 30 layers of molybdenum and stainless steel radiation shielding sheets. Only about 10 layers of the innermost G-shielding can be made of molybdenum sheets. The remaining 30 or more layers of G-shielding can be made of much cheaper stainless steel sheets. The YKES2 100 described above has one thermal energy storage tank (E-storage) at its center, and also has one unit of T-heater (receiver for solar and / or wind energy) and one unit of T-steam (heat exchange unit). Figures 25–28 show the YKES2 200 and YKES2 300, which have different energy storage capacities and geometric structures of T-heater and T-steam units clustered around the E-storage. These are other exemplary configurations of the YKES2. Other configurations of the YKES2 are also conceivable and are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0130] This specification contains many specific implementation details, which should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of any invention or claimable scope, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment of a particular invention. Certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable subcombination in multiple embodiments. Furthermore, features described herein as acting in a particular combination, and may even be initially claimed as such, but in some cases, one or more features from a claimed combination may be removed from that combination, and the claimed combination may be directed towards a subcombination or a variation of a subcombination.

[0131] Similarly, while the operations are depicted in a specific order in the drawings, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in a specific or sequential order shown, or that all illustrated operations be performed, in order to achieve the desired result. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various modules and components in the embodiments described herein should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged in multiple products.

[0132] Specific embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions described in the claims may be performed in a different order and still be able to achieve the desired results. As one example, the process depicted in the accompanying figures does not necessarily require the specific order (or sequential order) shown to achieve the desired results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0133] 100 Thermal Energy Storage System, YKES2 102 Electrical connection 104 Working fluid connection 106 Radiation Shielding Actuator 110 Vacuum Chamber 120 Thermal radiation shielding 122 Radiation shield support structure 124 Radiation Shielding Panel 130 containers, Si-crucibles, E-storage 132 Protrusion 140 Thermal energy storage medium 160 Heater Assembly, T-Heater 161 Heater 162 Thermal reflector 164 Radiation Shield 165 Shaft Assembly, V-Rod 166 Thermal radiation shielding, G-shielding 180 Heat Receiver Assembly, T-Steam 181 Heat exchange tank 184 Radiation shielding, R-shielding 186 Thermal radiation shielding, G-shielding 190 Support member, Support member 190 200 YKES2 210 Vacuum Chamber 230 containers, thermal energy storage medium 260 Heater Assembly, T-Heater 280 Heat Receiver, T-Steam 284 Radiation Shield 300 YKES2 310 Vacuum Chamber 330 containers, e-storage 360 Heater Assembly, T-Heater 380 Heat Receiver, T-Steam 400 YKES2 410 Vacuum Chamber 430 containers 460 Heater Assembly 480 Thermal Receiver Assembly 500 YKES2 510 Vacuum Chamber 530 containers 560 Heater Assembly 580 Thermal Receiver Assembly

Claims

1. A vacuum chamber and A container located inside the vacuum chamber, A thermal energy storage medium located inside the aforementioned container, A heater located inside the aforementioned vacuum chamber, A heat receiver located inside the vacuum chamber, (i) a first radiant shield that is reconfigurable to move between a first position separating the heater from the container and (ii) a second position in which the heater is exposed to the container, (i) a first position separating the heat receiver from the container, and (ii) a second radiation shield that is movably reconfigurable between a first position separating the heat receiver from the container and a second position in which the container is exposed to the heat receiver. The heater includes a first heat radiant reflector, and the heater is positioned between the first heat radiant reflector and the container. Energy storage system.

2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a thermal radiation shield positioned between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber and the container.

3. The energy storage system according to claim 2, wherein the thermal radiation shielding is also positioned between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber and the heater.

4. The energy storage system according to claim 2, wherein the thermal radiation shielding is also positioned between the inner wall of the vacuum chamber and the heat receiver.

5. The energy storage system according to claim 2, wherein the thermal radiation shielding comprises a plurality of layers of sheet material arranged at intervals from one another.

6. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a second thermal reflector, wherein the thermal receiver is positioned between the second thermal reflector and the container.

7. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more support members disposed between the bottom of the container and the inner wall of the bottom of the vacuum chamber, wherein the support members lift and separate the container from the inner wall of the bottom of the vacuum chamber.

8. The energy storage system according to claim 7, wherein each of the one or more support members comprises a plurality of pieces of thermal insulation material in a stacked arrangement.

9. The energy storage system according to claim 8, wherein the thermal insulation material includes zirconia.

10. The energy storage system according to claim 7, further comprising a thermal radiation shield positioned between the inner bottom wall of the vacuum chamber and the container.

11. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the thermal energy storage medium includes silicon.

12. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the heater includes a resistance heating element.

13. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the heater and the heat receiver are each positioned at a distance from the container.

14. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a first actuator, the first actuator being coupled to the first radiant shield, and operating to move the first radiant shield between (i) a first position in which the heater is separated from the container and (ii) a second position in which the heater is exposed to the container.

15. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a second actuator, the second actuator being connected to the second radiation shield, and operating to move the second radiation shield between (i) a first position separating the heat receiver from the container and (ii) a second position in which the container is exposed to the heat receiver.

16. A vacuum chamber and A container located inside the vacuum chamber, A thermal energy storage medium located inside the container, A heater is located inside the vacuum chamber and is positioned at a distance from the container, A heat receiver is located inside the vacuum chamber and positioned at a distance from the container, A protruding portion extending from the inner wall of the container and in contact with the thermal energy storage medium Energy storage systems, including those mentioned above.

17. The energy storage system according to claim 16, wherein the protruding portion is a pyramidal structure.

18. The energy storage system according to claim 16, wherein the volume of the protrusion is at least 10% of the internal volume of the container.

19. The energy storage system according to claim 16, further comprising multiple layers of thermal radiation shielding, the multiple layers of thermal radiation shielding surrounding the container and located within the vacuum chamber.

20. A vacuum chamber and A container located inside the vacuum chamber, A thermal energy storage medium located inside the aforementioned container, A heater located inside the aforementioned vacuum chamber, A heat receiver located inside the vacuum chamber, (i) a first radiant shield that is reconfigurable to move between a first position separating the heater from the container and (ii) a second position in which the heater is exposed to the container, (i) a first position separating the heat receiver from the container, and (ii) a second radiation shield that is movably reconfigurable between a first position separating the heat receiver from the container and a second position in which the container is exposed to the heat receiver. Includes, An energy storage system in which the heater and the heat receiver are each positioned at a distance from the container.

21. The energy storage system according to claim 20, further comprising one or more support members disposed between the bottom of the container and the inner bottom wall of the vacuum chamber, wherein the support members lift and separate the container from the inner bottom wall of the vacuum chamber.

22. The energy storage system according to claim 21, wherein each of the one or more support members comprises a plurality of pieces of thermal insulation material in a stacked arrangement.

23. The energy storage system according to claim 20, wherein the thermal energy storage medium comprises silicon.

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