Fluidized Bed Apparatus for Solid-State Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storing electrical energy surplus from renewable sources is challenging due to the complexity and cost of storing gaseous hydrogen, which requires expensive vessels.
Innovation Solution
A fluidized bed apparatus operates alternately as a reduction reactor and oxidation reactor, using particulate metal and its oxide to store and retrieve electrical energy by reacting with hydrogen and oxygen, allowing for efficient storage in solid form within a fluidized bed reactor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gaseous hydrogen is used to store electrical energy, then energy storage capability is achieved, but storage vessel complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the stored substance from gaseous hydrogen to solid particulate metal/oxide form. This parameter change allows energy to be stored in a solid particulate form that can be handled and stored much more easily, eliminating the need for complex high-pressure storage vessels while maintaining energy storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive storage vessels that can contain solid particulate material, replacing the complex and expensive high-pressure vessels required for gaseous hydrogen. The solid particulate form allows for much simpler storage infrastructure
2Quantity of substance
If gaseous hydrogen is used for energy storage, then energy can be stored, but storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from storing gaseous hydrogen to storing solid particulate metal and oxide, the invention dramatically reduces storage costs. Solid particulate materials can be stored in simple, inexpensive vessels without requiring high-pressure containment systems, thus reducing both capital and operational costs
3Productivity
If particulate matter is fluidized for reaction, then contact efficiency between particulate matter and gas increases, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses periodic fluidization cycles where the fluidized bed is alternately fluidized for reaction and then stationary for heat recovery. During the stationary phase, heat is recovered from the hot particulate matter before it is cooled and returned to the fluidization cycle, thus recovering energy that would otherwise be lost
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 method enables efficient temporary storage and retrieval of electrical energy in solid form, using particulate metal and metal oxide, which is easier and more cost-effective than storing gaseous hydrogen, with high contact efficiency between particulate matter and operating gases, and efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
providing an operating gas to a fluidizing bottom of the fluidized bed reactor such that particulate matter comprising the particulate metal or the particulate metal oxide is fluidized
Implementation Method 2
transferring the energy (heat) produced in the fluidized bed via heat transfer elements (in particular tubes through which a heat transfer fluid like water or steam flows)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating a fluidized bed apparatus and to a fluidized bed apparatus, the method comprising the following steps: providing particulate metal to a reaction chamber of a fluidized bed reactor, providing an oxidizing agent to a fluidizing bottom of the fluidized bed reactor such that particulate matter comprising the particulate metal is fluidized, wherein the particulate metal reacts with the oxidizing agent to particulate metal oxide, withdrawing particulate metal oxide from the reaction chamber, storing the withdrawn particulate metal oxide, providing particulate metal oxide to the reaction chamber of the fluidized bed reactor, providing a reducing agent containing gas to the fluidizing bottom of the fluidized bed reactor such that particulate matter comprising the particulate metal oxide is fluidized, wherein the particulate metal oxide reacts with the reducing agent to particulate metal, withdrawing the particulate metal from the reaction chamber, storing the withdrawn particulate metal.