Regenerative Heat Reservoir Segmentation for High Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current regenerative heat storage arrangements have low utilization rates, leading to increased energy storage costs due to inefficient operation, with maximum utilization ranging from 40% to 60%, limiting the effective use of thermal energy storage materials.
Innovation Solution
The method involves setting a higher minimum loading temperature for the carrier gas above the compressor inlet temperature, with a measuring and control device to regulate the carrier gas temperature and flow, and using heat transfer devices like recuperators and regenerators to cool the carrier gas before compression, allowing for increased heat storage module utilization up to 90%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the minimum charging temperature of the carrier gas is set according to compressor inlet temperature limitations, then the compressor can operate within permissible temperature limits, but the utilization rate of the heat storage arrangement remains low (40-60%)
Solution Approach 1:
The heat storage arrangement is divided into multiple heat storage modules arranged in series, allowing the carrier gas to be progressively cooled as it passes through each module. This segmentation enables the first module to charge at high temperature while subsequent modules charge at progressively lower temperatures, allowing the carrier gas to remain above the minimum charging temperature throughout the series and eliminating the need for recirculation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heat storage modules act as intermediaries between the high-temperature carrier gas outlet and the compressor inlet. Each module serves as a thermal buffer that progressively reduces the carrier gas temperature, enabling the system to maintain high utilization rates while protecting the compressor from excessive temperatures.
2Productivity
If the carrier gas temperature is maintained above the minimum charging temperature throughout the heat storage array, then the utilization rate increases to 85% or more, but the system requires multiple heat storage modules and temperature monitoring control
Solution Approach 1:
The heat storage arrangement is divided into multiple heat storage modules arranged in series, allowing the carrier gas to be progressively cooled as it passes through each module. This segmentation enables the first module to charge at high temperature while subsequent modules charge at progressively lower temperatures, allowing the carrier gas to remain above the minimum charging temperature throughout the series and eliminating the need for recirculation.
Solution Approach 2:
A measuring and control device monitors the carrier gas temperature after each heat storage module and adjusts the flow distribution or module activation accordingly. This feedback control ensures optimal utilization of each module while maintaining carrier gas temperatures above the minimum charging threshold, achieving 85% or higher utilization rates.
3Ease of operation
If recirculation is implemented when carrier gas temperature falls below minimum charging temperature, then the carrier gas can be reheated and reused, but this reduces overall system efficiency and increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The heat storage arrangement is divided into multiple heat storage modules arranged in series, allowing the carrier gas to be progressively cooled as it passes through each module. This segmentation enables the first module to charge at high temperature while subsequent modules charge at progressively lower temperatures, allowing the carrier gas to remain above the minimum charging temperature throughout the series and eliminating the need for recirculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The series arrangement of multiple heat storage modules enables continuous useful action by ensuring that the carrier gas maintains sufficient temperature to charge each subsequent module without interruption or recirculation. This continuous forward flow through progressively cooled modules eliminates energy losses associated with recirculation and reheating while maintaining operational continuity.
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 maximum utilization of heat storage modules to 85% or more, reducing energy storage costs and enabling flexible, short-term electricity generation during peak demand, while maintaining low mechanical-thermal loads on system components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat storage module, preferably a plurality of subsequent heat storage modules of the heat storage array, is permeated by carrier gas heated in the gas heater and thermally charged by heat transfer from the heated carrier gas to a heat storage material
Implementation Method 2
thermally charged by heat transfer from the heated carrier gas to a heat storage material of the heat storage module
Implementation Method 3
heat storage arrangement with at least one gas heater for heating a carrier gas, in particular for heating air, a heat storage array with a plurality of heat storage modules
Implementation Method 4
a recirculation of the carrier gas is provided if the carrier gas temperature falls below the minimum charging temperature of the subsequent heat storage module, and the carrier gas is supplied to the compressor during recirculation and, after compression, is returned to the gas heater
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a regenerative heat reservoir arrangement (9), wherein the heat reservoir arrangement (9) has: at least one gas heater (2) for heating a carrier gas (3), in particular for heating air; a heat reservoir row (4) with multiple heat reservoir modules (5); and at least one compressor (6), wherein, during a charging cycle, carrier gas (3) heated in the gas heater (2) flows through at least one heat reservoir module (5-8), preferably multiple subsequent heat reservoir modules (5-8) of the heat reservoir row (4), the at least one heat reservoir module is thermally charged by the transfer of heat from the heated carrier gas (3) to a heat storage material of the heat reservoir module (5-8) and the carrier gas (3) is cooled during the charging process, wherein if, after the charging of a heat reservoir module (5-7), the carrier gas temperature reaches or exceeds a minimum charging temperature for a subsequent heat reservoir module (6-8) in the heat reservoir row (4), the carrier gas (3) is fed to the subsequent heat reservoir module (6-8) for charging, and wherein the carrier gas (3) is recirculated if the carrier gas temperature falls below the minimum charging temperature for the subsequent heat reservoir module (6-8), and the carrier gas (3), when recirculated, is fed to the compressor (6) and, after compression, is fed back to the gas heater (2) for reheating of the carrier gas (3).