CHP Modular Thermal Storage for Variable Heat Demand
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combined heat and power (CHP) systems face inefficiencies due to large and costly thermal storage needs, inability to adapt to varying demand and weather conditions, and limited utilization of low-grade heat, resulting in suboptimal overall efficiency and economic performance.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically adaptive CHP system featuring modular thermal energy storage units, heat pumps, and a system controller that optimizes energy efficiency by selectively allocating and coupling storage units and heat sources to match demand and market conditions, enabling efficient storage, recovery, and supply of both high-grade and low-grade heat energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional thermal storage systems are used to store excess heat energy, then heat energy can be stored for later use, but the storage system becomes very large and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage system is divided into multiple modular heat storage units that can be independently operated and combined. Each module can store heat at different temperature ranges, allowing the system to achieve the required storage capacity through parallel modular units rather than a single large system, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures and reconfigures the modular storage units based on real-time heat demand, available heat sources, and market conditions. The controller selectively engages different storage modules and adjusts their operational parameters, enabling the system to adapt to varying conditions without requiring a permanently oversized storage infrastructure.
2Power
If the CHP system operates to maximize power generation, then electrical output increases, but heat-to-power ratio becomes mismatched with secondary system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The CHP system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time market signals, heat demand forecasts, and power price differentials. The controller can shift between power-generation-optimized mode and heat-generation-optimized mode, allowing the system to maximize electrical output when power prices are high while maintaining adaptability to match heat-to-power ratio with secondary system requirements when heat demand is prioritized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operational parameters including engine load, heat recovery level, and storage engagement based on market conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize for either power generation or heat generation depending on economic signals, resolving the contradiction between maximizing electrical output and maintaining heat-to-power ratio匹配.
3Device complexity
If low-grade heat is rejected using auxiliary coolers, then the system operates simply, but fuel efficiency decreases due to wasted thermal energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the previously wasted low-grade heat into a useful resource by capturing it through heat exchangers and storing it in dedicated low-temperature storage modules. This low-grade heat can then be utilized for various applications such as preheating, domestic hot water, or industrial processes, transforming the harmful energy waste into a beneficial resource and improving overall fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat exchangers and thermal storage modules act as intermediaries between the engine exhaust/coolant systems and the secondary heat users. These intermediaries enable the recovery and transfer of low-grade heat energy that would otherwise be rejected, facilitating its utilization without significantly increasing system complexity.
4Device complexity
If the system uses fixed thermal storage capacity, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying demand and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage system is segmented into multiple modular units that can be selectively engaged based on demand conditions. Each module can be independently controlled, allowing the system to activate only the necessary storage capacity on any given day, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while achieving operational adaptability to varying demand and weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines which storage modules to engage and how much capacity to utilize based on real-time forecasts of heat demand, weather conditions, and market prices. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its effective storage capacity without requiring a permanently oversized fixed infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves improved fuel efficiency, load flexibility, and cost-effectiveness by dynamically adjusting to power and thermal demands, maximizing energy and economic efficiency through adaptive heat storage and utilization of multiple thermal energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first heat pump, operatively coupled to said selectively variable first thermal energy store and said at least one selectively variable second thermal energy store, and which is adapted to transfer and thermally upgrade the thermal energy stored in said at least one selectively variable second thermal energy store to said selectively variable first thermal energy store
Implementation Method 2
Exhaust gases 20 are discharged from the engine(s) 12, usually at a high temperature (typically >400°C), and are provided to a heat recovery unit 22 (e.g. heat exchanger). In the heat recovery unit 22, a proportion of the comprised heat energy is removed from the exhaust gases 20, thereby cooling the exhaust gases 20 before they are rejected
Implementation Method 3
a selectively variable first thermal energy store being formed by one or more operatively coupleable modular storage units, adapted to accept, store and discharge thermal energy at said first temperature range; at least one selectively variable second thermal energy store being formed by one or more operatively coupleable modular storage units, adapted to accept, store and discharge thermal energy at said second temperature range
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides for a combined heat and power system, comprising: at least one engine, operatively coupled to a generator, having at least one first heat source adapted to provide a first thermal energy output at a first temperature range, and at least one second heat source adapted to provide a second thermal energy output at a second temperature range; at least one first heat exchanger, operatively coupled to said at least one engine, and adapted to selectively receive and transfer at least a portion of any one or all of said first thermal energy output and said at least one second thermal energy output; and a dynamically adaptive heat storage system. The dynamically adaptive heat storage system further comprises: a selectively variable first thermal energy store, adapted to accept, store and discharge thermal energy at said first temperature range; at least one selectively variable second thermal energy store, adapted to accept, store and discharge thermal energy at said second temperature range; at least one first heat pump, operatively coupled to said first thermal energy store and said at least one second thermal energy store, and which is adapted to transfer and thermally upgrade the thermal energy stored in said at least one second thermal energy store to said first thermal energy store, and a system controller, adapted to selectively engage any one or all of said at least one first heat source and said at least one second heat source and control the amount of thermal energy that is stored, upgraded or discharged, so as to optimise the energy efficiency of said combined heat and power system.