Compressed Gas Thermal Storage Heat Exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal energy storage and recovery systems lack flexibility and efficiency due to complex mechanical arrangements and direct connections between energy storage and recovery components, making them unsuitable for effectively matching intermittent renewable energy production with demand.

Innovation Solution

A thermal energy storage and recovery device featuring a heat exchanger arrangement and heat storage material, utilizing a counter-current principle with compressed gas as the heat transfer medium to efficiently store and retrieve thermal energy, minimizing mechanical complexity and optimizing energy usage by reversing the flow direction for charging and discharging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a direct mechanical connection is used between energy storage and recovery components, then mechanical energy transfer is achieved, but device complexity increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical energy transferVSAvoidmechanical arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical connections between energy storage and recovery components with a thermal energy transfer system. Compressed air serves as the intermediary medium, transferring energy through thermal interactions rather than mechanical linkages. The heat exchanger arrangement enables thermal coupling between the compressed air storage and the expansion motor, eliminating complex mechanical direct connections while maintaining energy transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of moving object

If thermal energy storage capacity is increased, then energy storage duration is improved, but heat loss to environment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage durationVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces compressed air as an intermediary thermal medium between the heat storage material and the external environment. The compressed air absorbs and releases thermal energy through controlled compression and expansion cycles, acting as a buffer that reduces direct thermal exposure of the storage material to environmental conditions. This intermediary approach minimizes heat loss while maintaining extended storage duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If compressed gas is used as heat transfer medium, then thermal energy transfer efficiency is improved, but gas compression heating causes temperature increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidgas temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition and thermal properties of compressed gas during compression and expansion cycles. The gas undergoes temperature changes inherent to compression (heating) and expansion (cooling), which are harnessed to transfer thermal energy to and from the heat storage material. The system is designed to accept and utilize these temperature variations as part of the efficient thermal energy transfer process, with the heat exchanger arrangement managing the thermal interactions effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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

This approach enhances the efficiency of thermal energy storage and recovery by maintaining high outlet temperatures during discharge, allowing for effective energy utilization and flexibility in adapting to operating conditions, thereby improving the matching of renewable energy production with demand.

Implementation Method 1

a compressed gas, which has been heated up by a gas compression, is usable as the heat transfer medium for transferring thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas compression heating: Adiabatic Heating

Implementation Method 2

a thermal interaction region is formed for thermally coupling the heat transfer medium with the heat storage material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8991183B2Thermal energy storage and recovery device and system having a heat exchanger arrangement using a compressed gas

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A thermal energy storage and recovery device is disclosed which includes a heat exchanger arrangement configured for guiding a flow of a heat transfer medium between a first end and a second end, and a heat storage material surrounding the heat exchanger arrangement so that a thermal interaction region is formed for thermally coupling the heat transfer medium with the heat storage material. The heat exchanger arrangement is sealed against the heat storage material so that, when in a first operational mode, in which the heat storage material is supposed to receive thermal energy from the heat transfer medium, a compressed gas is usable as the heat transfer medium for transferring thermal energy from the heat transfer medium to the heat storage material.