Intermediate Steam Storage Between Dual Steam Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar thermal energy systems face challenges in efficiently capturing and storing solar energy for power generation, particularly in meeting variable energy demands throughout the day and night, as they rely on cumbersome and costly storage mechanisms like molten salt.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a high pressure steam engine, a low pressure steam engine, and an intermediate storage device that absorbs and returns energy, allowing for responsive power generation to changes in demand while efficiently collecting energy from sunlight, using solar collectors to heat a fluid which generates high pressure steam for the high pressure engine and utilizing the intermediate storage to provide steam for the low pressure engine when sunlight is insufficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If molten salt storage mechanisms are used to store thermal energy, then thermal energy can be retained and made available for conversion to work when sunlight is insufficient, but the system becomes cumbersome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex molten salt storage with a simpler, cheaper intermediate pressure steam storage system. The intermediate storage holds steam at pressures between the high-pressure and low-pressure engines, providing a low-cost thermal energy buffer that can be quickly utilized when sunlight is insufficient, eliminating the need for cumbersome molten salt mechanisms.
2Productivity
If a single steam engine is used, then the system is simpler, but it cannot efficiently meet variable energy demands throughout the day and night
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the steam engine system into two distinct engines: a high-pressure steam engine for daytime operation when sunlight is abundant, and a low-pressure steam engine for nighttime or low-light operation. The intermediate pressure storage bridges these two segments, allowing the system to efficiently meet variable energy demands throughout the day and night by switching between or combining the outputs of the two segmented engines.
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 effectively meets energy demands throughout a 24-hour period by combining energy from solar collectors and intermediate storage, optimizing power output and reducing the need for costly storage mechanisms, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
uses the sun's energy to heat a substance, typically a fluid, and then mechanically converts that heat into power
Implementation Method 2
the intermediate storage stores thermal energy provided by steam from the first exhaust
Implementation Method 3
the first steam engine may be driven by the steam generated by the source of thermal energy, and the second steam engine may be driven by steam from at least one of the intermediate storage and the first exhaust
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first steam engine, an intermediate storage, and a second steam engine. The first steam engine may include a first inlet and a first exhaust, wherein the first inlet receives steam from a source of thermal energy. The intermediate storage may be coupled to the first exhaust, wherein the intermediate storage stores thermal energy provided by steam from the first exhaust. The second steam engine may include a second inlet coupled to the intermediate storage. Moreover, at least one of the first steam engine and the second steam engine may produce work. Furthermore, the first steam engine may be driven by the steam received from the source of thermal energy, and the second steam engine may be driven by steam from at least one of the intermediate storage and the first exhaust. Related apparatus and methods are also described.