High-Temperature Battery Thermal Storage System
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature batteries face inefficiencies due to excessive waste heat production and temperature fluctuations, leading to exergetic heat losses and potential damage, while conventional thermal storage systems struggle to maintain a stable operating temperature and utilize waste heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
A thermal storage system comprising a high-temperature battery connected to a heat exchange fluid, which transfers heat to a low-temperature heat accumulator, allowing for controlled temperature regulation and efficient heat utilization, reducing temperature fluctuations and enhancing overall efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-temperature batteries operate at high temperatures (≥100°C) to maintain operational readiness, then operational readiness is improved, but exergetic heat losses increase due to waste heat production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat into a beneficial resource by implementing a heat exchange system where the heat storage fluid absorbs waste heat from the battery during charging/discharge cycles. This recovered heat is then stored and subsequently used to maintain the battery's operating temperature during standby periods or to pre-heat the battery during startup, thereby reducing the need for additional heating energy and converting previously lost exergetic energy into useful thermal energy for system operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional thermal storage systems use convective heat exchange with air to equalize temperature, then temperature equalization is achieved, but temperature fluctuations increase leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces air-based convective heat exchange with a liquid-based heat exchange system. The heat storage fluid circulates through thermal contact with the battery cells, providing superior heat transfer capacity and more precise temperature control. This hydraulic approach enables smoother temperature equalization and reduces temperature fluctuations compared to gaseous convection, thereby protecting the battery from thermal stress and potential damage.
3Reliability
If heating devices are integrated into high-temperature batteries to maintain operating temperature, then operational readiness is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual-function heat exchange system where the same heat storage fluid and thermal contact structure serve both as a heat recovery mechanism during battery discharge and as a heating system during standby or startup phases. This eliminates the need for separate heating devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining operational readiness. The system automatically switches between heat absorption and heat release modes based on operational requirements.
4Ease of operation
If waste heat is dissipated to the ambient air, then temperature control is simplified, but overall efficiency decreases due to heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the previously wasted heat dissipation process into a beneficial heat recovery operation. The heat storage fluid captures thermal energy that would otherwise be lost to ambient air during battery charging and discharging. This recovered heat is stored and later utilized to maintain battery temperature or reduce heating requirements, thereby converting what was previously a source of inefficiency into a resource that enhances overall system efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 improved operational efficiency and reduced maintenance needs by maintaining a stable temperature range, allowing for flexible heat distribution and utilization, thereby minimizing exergetic losses and extending the lifespan of high-temperature batteries.
Implementation Method 1
storage cells which are in contact with a heat exchange liquid for heat supply and removal
Implementation Method 2
Conventional thermal storage systems use a mostly convectively driven heat exchange with the environment to bring about temperature equalization
Implementation Method 3
a first heat accumulator is comprised of a heat storage fluid, which is thermally connected to the high-temperature battery in such a way that heat can be transferred from the high-temperature battery to the heat storage fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heat storage system (1) comprising a high-temperature battery (10) having a plurality of storage cells (11), which have an operating temperature of at least 100°C, and which are in contact with a heat exchanger liquid (20) for supplying and dissipating heat, wherein a first heat store (30) having a heat store fluid (31) is furthermore included, said heat store being thermally connected to the high-temperature battery (10) in such a way that heat can be transferred from the high-temperature battery (10) to the heat store fluid (31), and wherein the heat store (30) itself is thermally connected to a low-temperature heat store (40) for heat transfer, said low-temperature heat store being provided for storing low-temperature heat at a temperature level of at least 40°C.