Latent Heat Storage Tank Layout with Nested Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems are not economically viable for smaller units, such as single-family homes, due to inefficiencies in heating and cooling demands that vary over time.
Innovation Solution
A storage tank device with multiple heat exchanger arrangements, including a central heat exchanger for heat extraction and surrounding heat exchangers for energy input, allowing for flexible operation and efficient use of latent heat storage with phase-changing media like water, enabling efficient heating and cooling by utilizing ambient heat sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heat exchanger arrangement is used in the storage tank, then the device complexity is low, but the energy efficiency and economic operation for smaller units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is divided into multiple functional zones with different heat exchanger arrangements: a first heat exchanger for heat extraction, a second heat exchanger for energy input, and a third heat exchanger for additional energy input. This segmentation allows each heat exchanger to serve specific purposes, improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heat exchanger arrangements are positioned in specific zones within the storage tank based on local thermal requirements. The heat exchangers are arranged to optimize heat transfer in different regions, with the first heat exchanger positioned for efficient heat extraction and the second and third heat exchangers positioned for optimal energy input, creating locally optimized thermal conditions throughout the storage medium.
2Productivity
If multiple heat exchanger arrangements are added to improve energy efficiency, then the energy yield increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank device integrates multiple heat exchanger arrangements that can operate in different modes and configurations. The system can function as a heating system, cooling system, or combination thereof, depending on the operational requirements. This multi-functionality allows the increased complexity to be justified by the versatility and improved energy yield across different operating scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger arrangements are nested within the storage tank in a hierarchical structure, with the first heat exchanger arranged in a first zone and the second and third heat exchangers arranged in second zones. This nested configuration allows efficient space utilization and streamlined heat transfer paths, managing the complexity through organized spatial arrangement rather than scattered components.
3Quantity of substance
If the storage medium is allowed to expand during phase transition, then the latent heat storage capacity increases, but the storage medium expansion pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-designed with an expansion space before the phase transition occurs. This expansion space is intentionally created during the design and manufacturing phase to accommodate the volume increase of the storage medium during phase transition. By preparing this space in advance, the system can utilize the full latent heat storage capacity without generating excessive expansion pressures that would compromise safety or require additional pressure management mechanisms.
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 enhances energy efficiency and economic operation by prolonging the use of thermal energy, allowing for flexible energy input and output, and is suitable for smaller units by optimizing energy yield and reducing storage medium expansion pressures.
Implementation Method 1
the storage medium having a phase transition with latent heat
Implementation Method 2
at least one first heat exchanger arrangement (100) with a first heat transfer medium (102), at least one second heat exchanger arrangement (200) with a second heat transfer medium (202) and at least one third heat exchanger arrangement (300) with a third heat transfer medium (302) are arranged within the housing
Implementation Method 3
a first heat transfer medium (102), at least one second heat exchanger arrangement (200) with a second heat transfer medium (202)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a storage tank device (600) for an energy storage system (500), comprising at least one storage tank (10) which has a housing (12) and contains a storage medium (30) and at least one first heat exchanger arrangement (10) in contact with the storage medium (30), wherein the storage medium (30) undergoes a phase change with latent heat, wherein the at least first heat exchanger arrangement (100) has a first heat carrier medium (102) and within the housing (12) there is arranged a second heat exchanger arrangement (200) with a second heat carrier medium (202) and at least one third heat exchanger arrangement (300) with a third heat carrier medium (302). The second heat exchanger arrangement (200) and the third heat exchanger arrangement (300) surround the first heat exchanger arrangement (100) at least in regions. The invention also relates to an energy storage system (500) having a storage tank device (600).