Thermal Heat Block Storage for Gas Turbine Regenerative Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a compact, high-capacity energy storage system that can improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in gas turbine-powered vehicles by efficiently transferring stored thermal energy during regenerative braking.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a heat block with high specific energy capacity, surrounded by a thermally insulative enclosure, which stores thermal energy and transfers it to a working fluid through a heat exchanger, allowing the energy to be used in a gas turbine engine, potentially reducing the energy provided by the combustor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a regenerative braking system is implemented in gas turbine vehicles, then energy recovery and fuel efficiency improve, but a compact high-capacity energy storage system is required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change materials (such as molten salts) that transition between solid and liquid phases to store and release thermal energy. During braking, thermal energy from the resistive grid is stored by melting the phase change material. During acceleration, the material solidifies and releases stored energy to preheat combustion air, improving fuel efficiency without requiring complex mechanical storage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs thermal fluid circulation through heat exchangers to transfer energy between the resistive grid, phase change material, and gas turbine combustion chamber. This fluid-based thermal management approach provides a compact, high-capacity energy storage solution that avoids the complexity of mechanical energy storage while effectively recovering braking energy.
2Use of energy by moving object
If thermal energy storage capacity is increased to improve energy recovery, then fuel efficiency improves, but the system volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Phase change materials provide high energy density by storing large amounts of thermal energy during phase transitions (melting/freezing). This allows the system to achieve high energy recovery capacity in a compact volume, as the latent heat stored during phase change concentrates energy in a small space compared to sensible heat storage methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures combining phase change materials with heat transfer fluids and thermally conductive enclosures. This composite approach maximizes energy storage density while minimizing system volume, as the phase change material is contained in a compact vessel with integrated heat exchanger surfaces that facilitate efficient energy transfer without requiring additional space.
3Quantity of substance
If thermal energy is stored at higher temperatures to increase energy density, then energy storage capacity improves, but heat transfer efficiency and material compatibility become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates the phase change material at controlled temperatures where it transitions between solid and liquid phases. By selecting phase change materials with appropriate melting points (such as molten salts), the system achieves high energy storage density at manageable temperatures, avoiding the need for extremely high-temperature materials and simplifying heat exchanger manufacturing while maintaining high energy density.
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 solution enables a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions by utilizing stored thermal energy from regenerative braking, enhancing the overall efficiency of gas turbine engines in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a heat block in thermal communication with at least one an energy source, wherein the heat block is configured to store thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
thermal communication with at least one an energy source
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one heat block to transfer heat from the heat block to a working fluid
Implementation Method 4
thermal communication with the at least one heat block to transfer heat
Implementation Method 5
a thermally insulative enclosure surrounding the at least one heat block
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an energy storage system comprised of a heat block having a relatively high specific energy capacity. The heat block can be used, for example, with a regenerative braking system for gas turbine powered vehicles to improve fuel efficiency.