Capsule, system and method for storing and emitting heat

Abstract

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

Description

[0001] Capsule, system and method for storing and releasing heat

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a system for discharging heat, a heating system, a capsule for storing heat, a method for producing such a capsule and a method for storing and discharging heat energy.

[0004] Until now, buildings have predominantly been heated with heating systems based solely on the combustion of fuels, particularly fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil, with the well-known disadvantages of greenhouse gas production and limited availability. The combustion of renewable resources such as wood enables a better climate balance, but even such resources are not unlimited, and their combustion also produces combustion products that can pollute the environment.

[0005] Heat pumps, on the other hand, have the advantage that no combustion takes place on site, as they are powered by electricity. This electricity can be generated using renewable energies, particularly wind and solar power. However, this comes with the disadvantage that the yield from photovoltaic systems is very low in the cold winter months and / or at night, precisely at the times when heating is most needed. Operators of heat pump heating systems therefore usually purchase larger quantities of electricity in the winter months. Conversely, many operators of photovoltaic systems generate more electricity than they can consume in the summer months. In this case, energy is available, but at a different time than it is needed for heating. Furthermore, in some locations, large quantities of unused energy are available.For example, desert regions near the equator receive constant solar radiation even during the winter months of regions farther from the equator. Furthermore, some geothermal areas are too far from cities to be connected to a district heating network, for example. In these exemplary cases, energy may be available at the right time, but not in the right place.

[0006] In such cases, effective storage and release of heat energy at the desired time and location would be desirable. Examples of well-known storage systems include boric acid, metal hydrite, or lime, but these are all very complex to operate and complex to construct.

[0007] DE 31 02 869 A1 describes a device for storing heat for heating systems, comprising a plurality of storage elements arranged in a storage chamber containing a phase-change material. The storage elements are circulated between a solar collector and a heat storage unit. However, this device does not provide a solution to the problems described above.

[0008] The invention is based on the problem of enabling an effective release of stored heat.

[0009] This problem is solved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0010] According to this, a system for dissipating heat is provided, comprising a plurality of capsules, each filled with a latent heat storage material, wherein a nucleating agent is arranged in each of the capsules, wherein the system further comprises a triggering device which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents, so that a movement of the respective nucleating agent is effected within the respective capsule in order to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material from liquid to solid.

[0011] By arranging a nucleating agent in each capsule to trigger crystallization of the latent heat storage material, the release of the thermal energy stored in the respective capsule can be triggered at the exact time and place where the heat is needed. As long as crystallization is not triggered, the latent heat storage material stores the thermal energy, as is common practice with hand-warm water, for example. With hand-warm water, crystallization is triggered by manually bending a metal plate that serves as a nucleating agent. When the metal plate is bent, pressure waves are generated and microscopic metal particles are released into the latent heat storage material. This serves as a crystallization nucleus. When the latent heat storage material crystallizes, the thermal energy is released.

[0012] The system proposed here features a triggering device designed to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents, causing movement of the respective nucleating agent within the respective capsule (e.g., bending a metal plate). This allows the phase change of the latent heat storage material from liquid to solid, and thus the release of heat, to be triggered automatically, enabling effective release of stored heat.

[0013] For example, the triggering device comprises a magnet, particularly a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. When the capsules are moved past the triggering device, the nucleating agents are activated in a particularly simple manner. Such a triggering device is also maintenance-free, simple in design, and cost-effective.

[0014] Each of the nucleating agents can comprise a permanent magnet. This can interact easily with the triggering device, for example, being aligned and attracted. If the triggering device is also a permanent magnet, for example, the permanent magnet of the nucleating agent orients itself in the magnetic field of the triggering device and is attracted to it with the opposite pole. The movement of the respective nucleating agent inside the respective capsule presses a plate, in particular a metal plate or the like, against an inner wall of the capsule. This causes the metal plate to bend, for example, triggering crystallization.

[0015] Each of the nucleating elements may comprise a plate, in particular a metal plate. The plate / metal plate may be connected to the permanent magnet of the nucleating element via a web. This allows for easy movement, in particular bending, of the

[0016] Metal plate. This also allows pressure to be exerted on the capsule wall to trigger crystallization. In one embodiment, the metal plate of the respective nucleating agent is designed as a bimetallic plate. This allows for particularly effective nucleation.

[0017] It can be provided that the plate, in particular the metal plate of the respective nucleating agent, is shaped according to the shape of the permanent magnet of the respective nucleating agent or is shaped according to the shape of a shell of the respective capsule. This facilitates triggering.

[0018] Furthermore, each capsule can contain metal chips. The metal chips can be mixed with the latent heat storage material. The metal chips can be influenced by the movement of a portion of the nucleating agent as a result of the interaction with the triggering device, so that the metal chips act as nucleating agents. The metal chips can, for example, be pressed and deformed between the permanent magnet and the plate, in particular the metal plate of the nucleating agent, or the capsule wall as a result of the movement caused by the interaction with the triggering device, releasing micro-metal particles that act as crystallization nuclei. Experiments have shown that such an arrangement enables particularly effective nucleation.

[0019] For example, the metal chips contain or consist of aluminum. This has achieved particularly good results in experiments. Aluminum chips are also particularly easy and inexpensive to produce, as well as being lightweight.

[0020] The capsules have a diameter of, for example, less than 1 cm, less than 5 mm, less than 1 mm, or less than 0.1 mm. This allows the capsules to be used in existing heating systems by simply placing them in a transport medium (e.g., water) circulating within the heating system. The release device is then simply mounted at a location where the stored heat is desired, e.g., on a radiator or underfloor heating.

[0021] It is also possible to guide the capsules in a transport medium in an additional circuit and to connect this with a heat exchanger to the fluid circuit of a solar collector and with a second heat exchanger to the water circuit of a conventional building heating system.

[0022] It can be provided that a gas bubble, e.g. an air bubble, is arranged in each of the capsules. This can facilitate transport by means of a pump and can promote an even distribution of the capsules in a transport medium in that the density of the capsule is adjusted during production by the gas bubble enclosed therein to match the density of the transport medium, e.g. the same as or in particular so that the density of the capsules is (slightly) greater than the density of the transport medium. The slightly higher weight of the capsules in relation to the same volume ensures that they sink to the bottom of a storage unit and are separated from the transport medium. It can be provided that a gas bubble, e.g. an air bubble, is arranged in each of the capsules.This allows volume and pressure equalization within the capsule to occur when the volume of the latent heat storage material changes due to temperature and / or physical state changes.

[0023] The capsules can be identical in shape, making large-scale production particularly easy. The capsules can be spherical or lens-shaped, for example, which allows for easy transport.

[0024] The latent heat storage material is a phase-change material. For example, the latent heat storage material comprises or consists of sodium acetate. Sodium acetate is non-toxic and exhibits excellent heat storage properties. However, other latent heat storage materials are also possible that are temperature-stable after melting and whose solidification reaction can be triggered in a controlled manner.

[0025] According to one aspect, a heating system is provided, comprising a pipe circuit and at least one heating element (e.g., in the form of a radiator or in the form of a surface heating system, such as underfloor heating). The heating system further comprises the system according to any of the embodiments described herein, wherein the triggering device is arranged on an inlet valve of the at least one heating element connected to the pipe circuit, and the capsules, with transport medium flowing through the pipe circuit, are movable through the inlet valve into the heating element (e.g., the radiator). Regarding the advantages, reference is made to the above information.

[0026] The heating system can include a capsule storage unit connected to the pipe circuit for storing the capsules. In this way, for example, capsules heated and liquefied in summer can be stored in a simple manner and in large numbers and kept until winter. The heating system can further include a solar collector, by means of which a fluid can be heated and which is in fluid communication with a heat exchanger connected to the pipe circuit. In the heat exchanger, the capsules in the pipe circuit can be heated using the heated fluid in order to bring about a phase change of the latent heat storage material of the capsules from solid to liquid. In this way, for example, in summer the heating system of a building can itself generate a supply of stored thermal energy for the winter.

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

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

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

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

[0031] According to one aspect, a method for producing a capsule for heat storage is provided, comprising: arranging a nucleating agent with a permanent magnet and a plate, in particular a metal plate, in a latent heat storage material; and enclosing the latent heat storage material with the nucleating agent in a shell. With regard to the advantages, reference is again made to the above information. The capsule can be formed as described above in connection with the system. Enclosing with the shell can comprise applying a liquid coating material to the latent heat storage material with the nucleating agent therein. Enclosing with the shell can further comprise curing the coating material, whereby the shell can be formed. In this way, the formation of a thin but robust shell can be achieved in a simple manner.

[0032] For example, the coating material comprises or consists of a plastic (in particular a UV-curable material). Curing the coating material can involve irradiating it with UV light. The plastic is, for example, a (e.g., unsaturated) resin, e.g., a polyester resin, based, for example, on isophthalic acid and / or dissolved in styrene. The plastic can comprise an acrylate.

[0033] The liquid coating material is, for example, sprayed and / or poured onto the latent heat storage material (containing the nucleating agent). Alternatively or additionally, the latent heat storage material (containing the nucleating agent) is immersed, for example, in a container filled with the liquid coating material. This allows for seamless encapsulation with the coating material, which becomes a shell.

[0034] In one embodiment, the latent heat storage material (with the nucleating agent inside) is dropped through a mist of liquid coating material. This allows for a material-saving coating. Furthermore, even miniaturized capsule contents can be coated particularly effectively.

[0035] According to one aspect, a method for storing and releasing thermal energy is provided, comprising: providing a plurality of capsules, each filled with a latent heat storage material and each containing a nucleating agent for triggering crystallization of the latent heat storage material; heating the capsules using a heat source to cause a phase change of the latent heat storage material from solid to liquid; and transporting the capsules containing the liquid latent heat storage material to a triggering device spaced apart from the heat source, which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents, thereby causing movement of the respective nucleating agent within the respective capsule to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material from liquid to solid. Regarding the advantages, reference is again made to the above information.The capsules can be designed as described above, and the triggering device can be part of the system in any of the configurations described herein. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a system for dissipating heat comprising a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleator with a bimetallic plate;

[0037] Fig. 2A shows a heat dissipation system comprising a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleating agent with metal shavings;

[0038] Fig. 2B shows a system for dissipating heat with a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleating element with a plate made of metal or plastic bent to conform to the shape of the capsule;

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a system for dissipating heat with a plurality of capsules, one of which is shown, and a triggering device, the capsules each comprising a nucleating agent with a curved metal plate;

[0040] Fig. 4A a building with a heating system with a system for discharging

[0041] Heat with a multitude of capsules in summer, where the dashed lines represent the path of the capsules;

[0042] Fig. 4B shows the building according to Fig. 4A in winter, with the dashed lines representing the path of the capsules;

[0043] Fig. 5 a thermostat of the heating system of the building according to Figs. 4A and 4B;

[0044] Fig. 6 a geothermal plant for heating the capsules according to Fig. 1-3;

[0045] Fig. 7A-7C show several steps of a method for producing the capsules; and

[0046] Fig. 8-10 various methods for enclosing capsule contents to form the capsules. Fig. 1 illustrates a system 1 for dissipating heat, comprising a plurality of capsules 10, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. The capsules 10 are of identical design. The capsules 10 each have a shell 101 and are each filled with a latent heat storage material 100. The shell 101 is made of, for example, polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is resistant to mild acids and bases, can withstand high mechanical loads, can be used with thin walls, is only slightly denser than water, and is available as a recycled material. However, other plastics or metals can also be used. The shell 101 encloses the latent heat storage material 100. The latent heat storage material 100 is a phase change material (PCM material).The latent heat storage material 100 stores a large portion of the thermal energy supplied to it in the form of transition enthalpy, in this case for a phase change from solid to liquid. The latent heat storage material 100 can store large amounts of heat within a narrow temperature range surrounding the phase change and can outperform heat storage devices that utilize only the thermal energy of a substance, such as hot water storage devices.

[0047] A nucleating element 11A is arranged in each of the capsules 10. The nucleating element 11A comprises a permanent magnet 110. According to Fig. 1, the nucleating element 11A further comprises a metal plate 111A, which here is exemplified in the form of a bimetallic plate. The bimetallic plate is, for example, under tension. The bimetallic plate is designed, for example, such that it emits a pressure wave and / or metal crystals as seed crystals within a specific temperature range and / or assists triggering by a permanent magnet within a specific temperature range and emits a pressure wave and / or metal crystals as seed crystals. The bimetallic plate can be prestressed such that it can be triggered near a specific temperature with little additional force. The energy stored in the prestress is released by the permanent magnet. During heating during melting of the latent heat storage material 100, the bimetallic plate is simultaneously prestressed.

[0048] The metal plate 111A is connected to the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11A via a web 112. The web 112 is arranged in a central region of the metal plate 111A. The permanent magnet 110 is circularly cylindrical in the present case, but could also have a different shape, e.g., rod-shaped. The metal plate 111A is circular, but could also have a different shape.

[0049] The capsules 10 have a diameter D of less than 1 cm, specifically less than 5 mm, namely in this case 2 mm or less, but could also have a diameter of less than 1 mm or less than 0.1 mm. Thus, the capsules 10 can simply flow in a transport medium T through a line 200, which is illustrated in Fig. 1. The transport medium T is a fluid in this case, specifically a liquid. In the example described, the transport medium T is water with an antifreeze. Salt serves as an example of an antifreeze, so that the transport medium T is a brine.

[0050] The latent heat storage material 100 used here is, for example, sodium acetate. This material has particularly practical properties, is non-toxic, and is available in large quantities.

[0051] A gas bubble 102 is provided in each of the capsules 10. The size of the gas bubble 102 is such that the weight of the entire capsule 10 (despite the nucleating agent 11A arranged therein) per unit volume is only slightly greater than the weight of the transport medium T per unit volume, e.g., 1% greater, 5% greater, 10% greater, or 20% greater. This allows the capsules 10 to be carried along with the flowing transport medium T. If, however, the transport medium T is stationary, the capsules 10 sink to the bottom. This facilitates their storage. Alternatively, the density can be adjusted via the size of the gas bubble 102 so that it is the same as the density of the transport medium T. This can facilitate the circulation of the capsules 10.

[0052] The capsules 10 are spherical in this case, although other shapes, such as a lens shape, are also conceivable. The shell 101 is flexible. The shell 101 is acid-resistant in this case. The shell 101 is made of a plastic.

[0053] The system 1 further comprises a triggering device 12, which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents 11A of the respective capsules 10, thereby causing movement of the respective nucleating agent 11A within the respective capsule 10 to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material 100 from liquid to solid. The stored heat is released in this process.

[0054] In the example shown, the triggering device 12 is configured to interact magnetically with the individual nucleating agents 11A of the respective capsules 10; however, an electrostatic interaction, for example, would also be conceivable. In this case, the triggering device 12 comprises a permanent magnet 120; an electromagnet, for example, would also be conceivable. In this case, the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12 is arranged with one pole (here, the south pole S) on a wall of the line 200, while the other pole (here, the north pole N) faces away from the line 200. Other orientations would also be possible.

[0055] If a capsule 10 containing liquid latent heat storage material 100 now flows into the vicinity of the triggering device 12, the permanent magnet 110 inside the capsule 10 is rotated so that its opposite pole (here, the north pole N) faces the opposite pole of the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12. In this case, either the permanent magnet 110 inside the capsule 10 rotates or the capsule 10 rotates as a whole. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11A is attracted to the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12. This exerts pressure on the metal plate 111A.

[0056] In the present case, the metal plate 111A is attached by the web 112 to the side of the pole (here the north pole N) of the permanent magnet 110, which is opposite the pole of the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12 facing the interior of the line 200. The web 112 forms a gap between the metal plate 111A in the permanent magnet 110, which allows the metal plate 111A to be deformed toward the permanent magnet 110.

[0057] The pressure on the metal plate 111A, for example, presses its edges against the inside of the casing 101, causing the metal plate to deform elastically, in this case by way of example such that the metal plate 111A is bent. This deformation triggers crystallization of the latent heat storage material 100. As a result of this crystallization, the stored thermal energy is released. It has been found that the simple pressure of the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating agent 11A in the capsule on the plate made of metal or another material (e.g. plastic) (e.g. adapted to the shape of the magnet), here the metal plate 111A, in the capsule 10 or the casing 101 is sufficient to trigger the reaction (particularly together with aluminum shavings, see below). In this case, the casing 101 can be rigid, not elastic.

[0058] Fig. 2A shows an arrangement similar to Fig. 1, wherein the metal plate 111B is not a bimetallic plate, but a metal plate made of a single material, in this case, for example, spring steel. Furthermore, the nucleating agent 11B according to Fig. 2A comprises metal chips 113 embedded in the latent heat storage material 100. The metal chips 113 are distributed inside the capsule 10. In this case, the metal chips 113 are aluminum chips.

[0059] The metal chips 113 are also arranged between the metal plate 111B and the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11B. If the latter causes a deformation of the metal plate 111B through interaction with the triggering device 12, the metal chips 113 are squeezed, which further improves nucleation.

[0060] Fig. 2B shows an arrangement similar to Fig. 2A, wherein the plate 114 is not a metal plate, but a plate made of a non-metallic material, in this case plastic. However, it should be noted that this is merely exemplary, and the plate 114 could also comprise a metal or be made of metal(s).

[0061] The plate 114 is not flat. The plate 114 is curved. In the present case, the plate 114 (or at least an outer surface thereof) is shaped according to a section of a sphere. In this example, the shape of the outer surface of the plate 114 is designed to match the shape of the inside of the shell 101. Here, the shell 101 is spherical, for example, although other shapes are also conceivable. The permanent magnet 110 forms a stamp with the surface adapted to the shell 101 (here formed by the plate 114, for example). Alternatively, another component can be provided instead of the plate 114, which has the surface adapted to the shell 101. For example, the permanent magnet 110 itself could be formed with such a surface.

[0062] Furthermore, the nucleating agent 11B according to Fig. 2B, as already described with reference to Fig. 2A, comprises metal chips 113 in the latent heat storage material 100. The metal chips 113 are distributed inside the capsule 10. In this case, the metal chips 113 are again, for example, aluminum chips.

[0063] If the permanent magnet 110 is attracted by the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12, it presses against the casing 101. It has been shown that crystallization can be triggered by this pressure alone. Particularly good results have been achieved when the described metal chips 113 are arranged in the capsule 10.

[0064] Fig. 3 shows a further arrangement similar to Fig. 1, wherein the metal plate 111C according to Fig. 3 is also not a bimetallic plate, but a metal plate made of a single material, in this case again, for example, spring steel. The metal plate 111C according to Fig. 3 is bent, in this case such that its edge points away from the permanent magnet 110 of the nucleating element 11C. The interaction with the permanent magnet 120 of the triggering device 12 thus reverses the bending of the metal plate 111C (toward the permanent magnet 110). In the process, the metal plate 111C is folded or bent accordingly. This allows further improved nucleation to be achieved.

[0065] Figs. 4A and 4B show a building 3 with a heating system 2. Building 3 is, for example, a single-family house.

[0066] The heating system 2 comprises a piping circuit 20 and at least one heating element 21. Specifically, the heating system 2 comprises several heating elements 21, only one of which is shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. The heating element 21 is designed in the form of a radiator, but a surface heating system, such as underfloor heating, wall heating, or the like, would also be conceivable.

[0067] The heating system 2 comprises the system 1 according to Fig. 1 (alternatively, the system 1 according to Fig. 2A, 2B, or Fig. 3). The triggering device 12 is arranged on an inlet valve 210 of the heating element 21 connected to the line circuit 20, as will be explained in more detail below in connection with Fig. 5.

[0068] The capsules 10 can be moved through the inlet valve 210 into the heating element 21 by the transport medium T flowing through the line circuit 20. For this purpose, the heating system 2 comprises a pump 24, which circulates the transport medium T, together with the capsules 10 arranged therein, through the line circuit 20.

[0069] A capsule storage unit 22 is further connected to the line circuit 20, which comprises a plurality of lines 200, e.g., in the form of hoses and / or pipes. The capsule storage unit 22 is designed to store a plurality of capsules 10, e.g., more than 1,000, more than 10,000, more than 100,000, or even more than 1,000,000 capsules 10.

[0070] The heating system further comprises a solar collector 26 and a heat exchanger 25. The solar collector 26 is connected to the heat exchanger 25, and a fluid F can flow through the solar collector 26 and through the heat exchanger 25 by means of a (further) pump 27. The pipe circuit 20 is also connected to the heat exchanger 25. This allows heat to be exchanged between the fluid F and the transport medium T and the capsules 10 arranged therein. The heat exchanger 25 also ensures that the capsules 10 do not need to be guided through thin capillary tubes of the solar collector 26.

[0071] Fig. 4A shows the heating system 2 at a time when the sun is heating the solar collector, e.g., in summer. The fluid F is heated during this process. The heated fluid F is pumped through the heat exchanger 25 by the pump 27. At the same time, (“discharged”) capsules containing the latent heat storage material 100 in the solid state are pumped through the heat exchanger 25 and are heated by the fluid F. The path of the capsules 10 is illustrated by dashed lines. The capsules 10 are heated (“charged”) and the latent heat storage material 100 is converted into the liquid state. The charged capsules 10 are then pumped into the capsule storage 22. There they are stored, e.g., until winter.

[0072] The capsule storage 22 may be located in building 3, but this need not be the case. According to Figs. 4A and 4B, the capsule storage 22 is located outside building 3.

[0073] Since no heating power is required, the inlet valve 210 of the thermostat 211 of the heating element 21 is closed, and no capsules 10 flow in or out through the heating element 21, here the radiator. Instead, the capsules 10 are pumped from the capsule storage 22 past the heating element 21 through the heat exchanger 25 by means of the pump 24. Therefore, the capsules are not directed to the triggering device 12 and, accordingly, are not activated.

[0074] Fig. 4B shows the heating system 2 at a time when heating energy is required, in this case in winter.

[0075] The sun is not shining or is shining only weakly, and solar collector 26 is inactive. Pump 27 of solar collector 26 is deactivated.

[0076] The pump 24 of the line circuit 20 conveys the transport medium T with the charged capsules 10 from the capsule storage 22 through the heating element 21, whose inlet valve 210 is open. The capsules 10 are activated and release their heat exactly where their thermal energy is needed, namely in the heating element 21. After the capsules 10 have released their heat in the heating element 21, they are pumped back into the capsule storage 22. The capsule storage 22 is designed, for example, as a FIFO (First-In-First-Out) storage system, meaning that the capsules 10 stored first are also removed first. This allows all charged capsules 10 to be used before discharged capsules 10 are recirculated.

[0077] If, for example, during the seasonal transition period, more heat is available than is required, but the required brine temperature is not reached, a heat pump or other heating device can be used to achieve the melting point. This is very efficient, as the brine temperature only needs to be increased by a few degrees.

[0078] The capsule storage 22 is optionally designed like a separation basin in which the capsules 10 are separated from the transport medium T. This occurs by sinking at a reduced flow rate in the capsule storage 22. The capsules 10 sink to the bottom of the capsule storage 22, while the transport medium T is pumped further at the top.

[0079] The electrically operated pump 24 conveys the transport medium T with the capsules 10 floating within it to the location where heat is needed. The capsule storage unit 22 requires no thermal insulation, as the capsules 10 store the thermal energy regardless of the ambient temperature. Due to the potential for leaks in the capsules 10, the capsule storage unit 22, the lines 200, and the pump 24 can be designed to be acid-resistant. A screw pump, for example, is suitable as the pump 24 to prevent damage to the capsules 10. The capsule storage unit 22 is located underground, for example. The lines 20 to the capsule storage unit 22 also do not require insulation.

[0080] Optionally (e.g., with a small capsule storage tank 22), the heating system includes an additional heat generation device 23, e.g., in the form of a (conventional) boiler or a heat pump. In particularly cold periods or if the capsules 10 are used up, this can heat the transport medium T in the usual way.

[0081] Fig. 5 illustrates the thermostat 211 of the heating system 2. The thermostat 211 comprises, in a known manner, a thermostat head 212, which acts on a valve cone 214. The thermostat head 212 can be rotated manually, for example, to change the position of the valve head via a movable rod and includes a temperature sensor 213, which extends or retracts the rod depending on the room temperature. Alternatively, the thermostat 211 includes electronic control of the rod position to achieve a desired room temperature.

[0082] The valve cone 214 can be adjusted between a closed position and a fully open position, as well as in intermediate positions therebetween. In the closed position, the valve cone 214 closes a valve opening 215 of the inlet valve 210, through which the transport medium T with the capsules 10 can flow into the heating element (along the arrows shown in Fig. 5). In an open position, the valve opening 215 is at least partially exposed.

[0083] The tip of the valve cone 214 and the opposite cone receiving groove are wedge-shaped, for example, so that the flow of the transport medium T is sharply divided when the valve closes. This prevents damage to the capsules 10 due to crushing.

[0084] The inlet valve 210 has an opening cross-section Q at least in the fully open position. The capsules 10 have a diameter D that is smaller than the opening cross-section Q, in particular significantly smaller.

[0085] The trigger device 12 is located downstream of the inlet valve 210. The incoming capsules 10 flow past the trigger device 12 and are activated in the process. The width of the line 200 is reduced at the position of the trigger device 12 in order to move the capsules close to the trigger device 12.

[0086] For example, the line is wider and flatter at this point than at neighboring sections.

[0087] Fig. 6 illustrates a possible installation for charging the capsules 10 at a location remote from the location of heat release (such as the building 3 according to Figs. 4A and 4B).

[0088] Here, a geothermal heat source 4 is located beneath the Earth's surface E. A geothermal system 5 circulates a fluid through the heat source 4. This fluid is passed through a heat exchanger 52, through which the discharged, crystallized, i.e., solid, capsules 10 are also passed from a storage 50 for discharged capsules 10. In this process, the capsules 10 are charged, and their latent heat storage material 100 is liquefied. The charged capsules 10 are transported to a storage 51 for charged capsules 10.

[0089] The charged capsules 10 can then be transported to the site of use, e.g., to building 3 as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, by means of a conveyor belt, pumped through pipes, or by truck, ship, or other means of transport. Since the capsules 10 store the heat, they can also be transported over long distances. Within building 3, the capsules are then transported by pump 24.A method for storing and releasing thermal energy accordingly comprises providing a plurality of capsules 10, each filled with a latent heat storage material 100 and in each of which a nucleating agent 11A-11C is arranged to trigger crystallization of the latent heat storage material 100; heating the capsules 10 by means of a heat source 4 to cause a phase change of the latent heat storage material 100 from solid to liquid; and transporting the capsules 10 with the liquid latent heat storage material 100 to a triggering device 12 spaced apart from the heat source 4, which is configured to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents 11A-11C, thereby causing movement of the respective nucleating agent 11A-11C within the respective capsule 10 to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material 100 from liquid to solid.

[0090] A method for manufacturing a heat storage capsule 10 of this type includes disposing a nucleating agent 11A-11C having a permanent magnet 110 and a metal plate 111A-111C in a latent heat storage material 100; and enclosing the latent heat storage material 100 with the nucleating agent 11A-11C with a shell 101.

[0091] The production can be carried out (as is common in the pharmaceutical industry) by filling capsule half-shells and joining them together, as illustrated in Fig. 7A-7C.

[0092] First, two capsule half-shells H are prepared for each capsule. These can be manufactured, for example, by (plastic) injection molding, see Fig. 7A.

[0093] Then, one or both of these capsule half-shells H is / are filled with the latent heat storage material 100 (and optionally with the metal chips 113). A nucleating agent 11A-11C is added to one of the two capsule half-shells H, see Fig. 7B.

[0094] The two capsule half-shells H are then assembled to form a capsule 10 and firmly connected to one another, e.g. inserted into one another or, as illustrated in Fig. 7C, welded or glued together or connected to one another in some other way.

[0095] Production of the capsules 10 by means of a coating process is also possible. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate three exemplary coating options to form the shell 101. Here, the entire capsule contents are mixed with the nucleating agent 11A-11D, shaped into a sphere (or otherwise), and temporarily stabilized. This can be done by cooling or freezing. The shaped and temporarily stabilized capsule contents (each comprising latent heat storage material 100 with nucleating agent 11A-11D) are each coated with a liquid, yet curable (in particular, fast-curing) coating material B, e.g., a plastic, which is then cured.

[0096] Fig. 8 shows an arrangement 6A for carrying out a coating process. According to Fig. 8, the liquid coating material B is arranged in a container 60. The preformed (and stabilized) capsule contents are immersed in the liquid coating material B (here the plastic), in this case, for example, with the aid of a cage 66 in which the capsule contents are placed, and thus immersed in the coating material B. The coated capsule contents are then placed on a drip tray 62 and irradiated with UV light. For this purpose, one or more, here, for example, two UV light sources (one above, one below the drip tray 62) are provided. After curing, the capsule contents are coated with the shell 101. The shell is then no longer liquid, but solid, and can be rigid or elastic. A collecting basin 63 can be provided to collect excess coating material B.

[0097] Fig. 9 shows an arrangement 6B for carrying out a further coating process. According to Fig. 9, the capsule contents are poured with the coating material B. For this purpose, the coating material B is arranged in a container 67, from which it flows and / or drips over the capsule contents (one after the other or several at the same time). For this purpose, the capsule contents lie, for example, on a drip tray 62. A collecting basin 63 can be provided to collect excess coating material B. UV light sources 61 radiate UV light onto the applied coating material B to cure it, in this case from different sides.

[0098] Fig. 10 shows an arrangement 60 for carrying out a further coating method. Here, the capsule contents are sprayed with the coating material B. One or (as in Fig. 10) several nozzles 64 (in this case nebulizing nozzles) are provided, which spray the capsule contents from several sides with the coating material B (e.g. as a mist). For this purpose, the capsule contents can be placed, e.g. on a drip tray, or, as provided in the arrangement 60 according to Fig. 10, the capsule contents can be allowed to fall through the mist. In this case, it is provided that the capsule contents first fall through a mist of the coating material B, wherein they are at least partially (in particular completely) coated by the coating material B.They then fall through UV radiation from UV light sources 61 (which in this case are arranged on opposite sides of the falling capsule contents), curing the coating material B. One stage may be provided for this, or, as illustrated in Fig. 10, several stages may be provided. In the example according to Fig. 10, the arrangement 6C has three stages. The capsule contents thus fall several times, here three times, through a mist of coating material B and through UV light beams from UV light sources 61. More or fewer stages may also be provided.

[0099] The (stabilized) uncoated capsule contents are fed by a conveyor belt 65. The capsules 10 can be collected in a collecting container or, as illustrated in Fig. 10, on a further conveyor belt 65. A (further) UV light source 61 can (further) harden the respective shell 101 of the capsules 10 lying on the collecting conveyor belt 65.

[0100] Electrostatic coating is also possible, in which the temporarily stabilized capsule contents are electrostatically charged and the still liquid coating material B (e.g., the plastic coating) are oppositely charged. The coating material B (e.g., the plastic) is attracted to the temporarily stabilized capsule contents by the electrostatic force of attraction, where it adheres evenly to them.

[0101] While immersed in a spray of the aforementioned coating material B (e.g., liquid plastic), the capsule contents are coated (e.g., a plastic shell). This can occur during the falling process using the aforementioned spray. As already described, the process can be repeated several times to ensure complete coating, with multiple stages and / or the same stage being repeated several times. The curing of the plastic can be carried out or accelerated by ultraviolet light, as described. This method is particularly effective when miniaturizing the capsules 10.

[0102] It should be noted that a combination of the aforementioned or other coating methods (e.g., one after the other) is also possible in order to combine the respective advantages of the methods to obtain a stable shell. For example, at least two (or all) of the aforementioned methods (e.g., according to Fig. 8, according to Fig. 9, and according to Fig. 10) are used.

[0103] 1 system

[0104] 10 capsules

[0105] 100 latent heat storage material

[0106] 101 Cover

[0107] 102 Gas bubble

[0108] 11A-11 D Nucleating agents

[0109] 110 Permanent magnet

[0110] 111A-111C metal plate

[0111] 112 jetty

[0112] 113 metal shavings

[0113] 114 plate

[0114] 12 Release device

[0115] 120 permanent magnet

[0116] 2 heating system

[0117] 20 Line circuit

[0118] 200 line

[0119] 21 Heating element

[0120] 210 intake valve

[0121] 211 Thermostat

[0122] 212 Thermostatic head

[0123] 213 temperature sensors

[0124] 214 valve cone

[0125] 215 Valve opening

[0126] 22 capsule storage

[0127] 23 Heat generating device

[0128] 24 Pump

[0129] 25 heat exchangers

[0130] 26 solar collector

[0131] 27 Pump

[0132] B Coating material

[0133] D Diameter

[0134] E Earth's surface

[0135] F Fluid

[0136] H Capsule half-shell

[0137] Q Opening cross-section transport medium

[0138] Building

[0139] heat source

[0140] Geothermal system 0 Storage for discharged capsules1 Storage for charged capsules2 Heat exchanger A-6C Layout 0 Container 1 UV light source 2 Drain grid 3 Catch basin 4 Nozzle 5 Conveyor belt 6 Cage 7 Container

Claims

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

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the triggering device (12) comprises a permanent magnet (120).

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the nucleating elements (11A-11D) comprises a permanent magnet (110).

4. System (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the nucleating elements (11 A-11 D) comprises a plate, in particular a metal plate (111A-111 D), which is connected to the permanent magnet (110) of the nucleating element (11A-11 D) via a web (112).

5. System (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the metal plate (111 A) of the respective nucleating agent (11 A) is designed in the form of a bimetallic plate.

6. System (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the plate, in particular metal plate (111A-111D) of the respective nucleating agent (11A) is shaped according to the shape of the permanent magnet (110) of the respective nucleating agent (11A-11D) or is shaped according to the shape of a shell (101) of the respective capsule (10).

7. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the nucleating agents (11B) comprises metal chips (113) which are admixed with the latent heat storage material (100).

8. System (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the metal chips (113) consist of aluminum or comprise aluminum.

9. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capsules (10) have a diameter (D) of less than 1 cm, less than 5 mm, less than 1 mm or less than 0.1 mm.

10. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas bubble (102) is arranged in each of the capsules (10).

11. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capsules (10) are of identical design.

12. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latent heat storage material (100) comprises or consists of sodium acetate.

13. Heating system (2), comprising: a line circuit (20) and at least one heating element (21), characterized by the system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the triggering device (12) is connected to a line circuit (20) Inlet valve (210) of the at least one heating element (21) is arranged and the capsules (10) are movable through the inlet valve (210) into the heating element (21) with transport medium (T) flowing through the line circuit (20).

14. Heating system (2) according to claim 13, characterized by a capsule storage (22) connected to the line circuit (20) for storing the capsules (10).

15. Heating system (2) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by a solar collector (26) by means of which a fluid (F) can be heated and which is in fluid connection with a heat exchanger (25) connected to the line circuit (20), in which the capsules (10) in the line circuit (20) can be heated by means of the heated fluid (F) in order to bring about a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) of the capsules (10) from solid to liquid.

16. Heating system (2) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the capsules (10) have a diameter (D) and the inlet valve (210) in an open state has an opening cross-section (Q) which is larger than the diameter (D).

17. Heating system (2) according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the transport medium (T) is a brine.

18. Heating system (2) according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the transport medium (T) has a lower density than the capsules (10).

19. Capsule (10) for heat storage, comprising: a shell (101), a latent heat storage material (100) arranged in the shell (101) and a nucleating agent (11A-11D) arranged in the latent heat storage material (100) with a permanent magnet (110) and a plate, in particular a metal plate (111A-111D).

20. A method for producing a capsule (10) for heat storage, comprising: - arranging a nucleating agent (11A-11D) with a permanent magnet (110) and a plate, in particular a metal plate (111A-111D) in a latent heat storage material (100); and enclosing the latent heat storage material (100) with the nucleating agent (11A-11D) with a casing (101).

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that enclosing with the shell (101) comprises applying a liquid coating material (B) to the latent heat storage material (100) with the nucleating agent (11A-11D) and curing the coating material (B) to form the shell (101).

22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that the coating material (B) comprises or consists of a plastic and the curing of the coating material (B) comprises irradiating the coating material (B) with UV light.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the liquid coating material (B) is sprayed onto or poured over the latent heat storage material (100) with the nucleating agent (11A-11D) or the latent heat storage material (100) with the nucleating agent (11A-11D) is immersed in a container (60) filled with the liquid coating material (B).

24. Method according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the latent heat storage material (100) with the nucleating agent (11A-11D) therein is dropped through a mist of the liquid coating material (B).

5. A method for storing and releasing thermal energy, comprising: Providing a plurality of capsules (10), each filled with a latent heat storage material (100) and in each of which a nucleating agent (11 A-11 D) is arranged to trigger crystallization of the latent heat storage material (100); Heating the capsules (10) by means of a heat source (4) in order to cause a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) from solid to liquid; and transporting the capsules (10) with the liquid latent heat storage material (100) to a triggering device (12) spaced apart from the heat source (4), which is designed to interact electrically and / or magnetically with the individual nucleating agents (11A-11D) so as to cause a movement of the respective nucleating agent (11A-11D) within the respective capsule (10) in order to trigger a phase change of the latent heat storage material (100) from liquid to solid.

Images