Floating-Piston Thermal Storage Vessels for Compact Hot-Cold Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage systems face high initial costs, large footprints, inefficiencies, and scalability issues, limiting their widespread adoption and integration with renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy storage system utilizing a vessel with a floating separator piston to separate hot and cold portions of a working fluid, maintained in a liquid state by a controller, and using pressurized pipes for efficient thermal energy transfer between a heat source and thermal load, with a horizontal configuration to optimize space and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal energy storage systems are used, then thermal energy can be stored, but the initial costs are high and the footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple parallel vessels, each containing a floating separator piston that divides the vessel into hot and cold zones. This segmentation allows for compact storage while maintaining thermal separation, reducing the overall footprint compared to conventional single-vessel systems
Solution Approach 2:
The floating separator piston is nested within each vessel, creating a compact configuration where the hot and cold zones are contained within the same vessel volume. This nesting approach maximizes storage density while minimizing the external footprint of the system
2Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal energy storage systems are used, then thermal energy can be stored, but the initial costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The floating separator piston serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates hot and cold zones, provides thermal insulation between zones, and acts as a movable partition wall. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, lowering manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressurized liquid water as the working fluid, changing the physical state parameters to enable high-density thermal storage. By operating at elevated pressures and temperatures, the system achieves compact storage volumes that reduce overall system cost
3Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal energy storage systems are used, then thermal energy can be stored, but they are not highly efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The floating separator piston extracts and removes the cold zone from the hot zone, creating distinct thermal environments that prevent thermal mixing. This extraction of cold regions from hot regions minimizes thermal losses and improves overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing thermal conduction between hot and cold zones through direct contact, the system inverts the approach by using a movable piston that actively prevents thermal mixing. The piston creates a thermal barrier that works against natural heat transfer, improving energy efficiency
4Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal energy storage systems are used, then thermal energy can be stored, but they are not scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple identical parallel vessels that can be added or removed based on storage requirements. This modular segmentation enables easy scaling from small to large capacity applications without redesigning the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The floating separator piston is a dynamic component that moves to separate hot and cold zones based on thermal conditions. This dynamic operation allows the same vessel configuration to adapt to different storage capacities and operating conditions, enhancing scalability
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 reduced costs, increased efficiency, and scalability, enabling long-duration, dispatchable renewable energy generation by integrating with concentrating solar power systems and ORC heat engines, supporting continuous electrical demand.
Implementation Method 1
a floating piston located in the interior region to separate a hot portion of the working fluid towards the first end from a cold portion of the working fluid towards the second end
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to maintain the working fluid in a liquid state
Implementation Method 3
a working fluid configured to store the thermal energy and transfer the thermal energy between the heat source and the thermal load
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal energy storage system comprising a working fluid to store and transfer thermal energy between a heat source and a thermal load and a vessel to store the working fluid. The vessel has an interior region and a floating separator piston in the interior region to separate a hot portion from a cold portion of the working fluid. There is a first manifold thermally coupled to an output of the heat source and to an input of the thermal load and fluidly coupled to the interior region of the vessel and a second manifold thermally coupled to an input of the heat source and an output of the thermal load and fluidly coupled to the interior region of the vessel. There is a controller configured to maintain the working fluid in a liquid state.