Chemical Heat Storage Containers Using an Ejector for Vacuum-Free Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices using chemical heat storage face inefficiencies due to the need for vacuum pumps and difficulty in maintaining efficient chemical reactions, leading to suboptimal energy utilization.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled container system with a heat-generating-side and regenerating-side container connected by piping, utilizing an ejector to reduce pressure through venturi effect, eliminating the need for electric vacuum pumps and enabling efficient pressure reduction and chemical reaction promotion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vacuum pump is used to reduce pressure in the flow channel, then the chemical reaction efficiency is improved, but additional energy consumption and device complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful component (vacuum pump) is extracted and replaced with a passive pressure reduction mechanism using the ejector and venturi effect, eliminating the need for active vacuum pumping while maintaining the beneficial low-pressure environment for chemical reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector serves as an intermediary device that uses the kinetic energy of steam flow to create negative pressure, mediating between the steam generation process and the pressure reduction requirement without needing a separate power-consuming vacuum pump
2Loss of energy
If the entire container is arranged in a reduced pressure flow channel, then thermal efficiency is improved, but individual reaction efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple independent reaction chambers, each capable of maintaining its own pressure conditions and chemical reaction processes, allowing individual reaction efficiency to be optimized while the overall system benefits from thermal efficiency improvements
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the container system are given different pressure characteristics - the steam flow path maintains reduced pressure for thermal efficiency, while individual reaction chambers can maintain optimal pressure for their specific chemical reactions
3Stress or pressure
If separate energy is used to operate the vacuum pump, then pressure reduction is achieved, but overall energy utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The kinetic energy of the steam flow, which would otherwise be wasted, is converted into useful negative pressure through the venturi effect in the ejector, turning a byproduct into a functional resource for pressure reduction without additional energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generation process itself provides the energy needed for pressure reduction through the ejector mechanism, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate energy input to operate the vacuum pump
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 allows for cost-effective, efficient pressure reduction without equipment failure, promoting one-directional chemical reactions, reducing thermal energy requirements, and enhancing thermal efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector (for example, the ejector 4) is provided; and a negative-pressure first channel (for example, the negative-pressure first channel 41) which is connected from the ejector to inside of the regenerating-side container, in which air inside of the regenerating-side container is suctioned from the negative-pressure first channel to reduce in pressure by negative pressure generated by venturi effect of the ejector
Implementation Method 2
a thermal storage material (for example, the thermal storage material 3) that is accommodated inside of the container (for example, the container 10a) and generates heat by way of chemical reaction
Implementation Method 3
an energy storing device by way of chemical heat storage using chemical reaction heat
Implementation Method 4
steam generated by the heat-generating-side container flows
Implementation Method 5
a regeneration steam channel (for example, the regeneration steam channel 44) which connects between the heat-generating-side container and the regenerating-side container, and in which steam generated from the regenerating-side container flows
Implementation Method 6
a check valve (for example, the check valve 45) disposed in a vicinity of the ejector
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storing device is provided which is capable of efficiently utilizing energy. A container in an energy storing device which generates heat by chemical reaction of a thermal storage material accommodated inside of each container is a double wall container including an inside wall and an outside wall, in which a pair of containers is configured by a heat-generating-side container in which the thermal storage material generates heat, and a regenerating-side container which regenerates the thermal storage material used in heat generation, in which the pair of containers are connected by piping in which an ejector is provided.