Low-Expansion Susceptor Crucible for Thermal Storage and Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CHP systems are inefficient, rely on fossil fuels, produce harmful emissions, and lack effective thermal energy storage solutions that prevent crucible cracking and heat flux damage, leading to short device lifetimes.
Innovation Solution
A susceptor crucible made of materials with low thermal expansion coefficient, encased in a thermal housing, uses regulated fluid flow to isolate heat recovery systems and employs phase change materials for efficient thermal energy storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional CHP systems use fossil fuels for electricity generation, then electrical power can be produced, but harmful emissions are generated and energy conversion efficiency is limited to around 30%
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful combustion process from the energy generation system. Instead of burning fossil fuels, the system uses a solar receiver to directly capture thermal energy from sunlight, and an induction heater to convert electrical energy to thermal energy, thereby removing the source of harmful emissions while improving energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical combustion system with two alternative systems: a solar thermal system using a receiver to capture radiant energy, and an electromagnetic induction heating system using an induction coil to generate thermal energy without combustion. This substitution eliminates harmful emissions while achieving higher energy conversion efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If thermal energy is stored in a crucible, then energy storage is achieved, but the crucible cracks due to thermal expansion and heat flux damage, leading to short device lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the crucible by selecting materials with low thermal expansion coefficients and high melting points. The crucible is made from materials such as graphite, silicon nitride, or boron nitride, which have thermal expansion coefficients less than 5×10^-6 /°C, allowing the crucible to withstand repeated thermal cycling without cracking while maintaining structural integrity for long-term operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures where the crucible is made from advanced ceramics or carbon-based materials that combine low thermal expansion with high thermal conductivity and high melting point. These composite materials provide both the thermal energy storage capacity and the structural reliability needed for extended device operation
3Use of energy by moving object
If heat recovery systems are directly exposed to thermal energy storage material, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the system is damaged by uncontrolled heat flux
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediate heat transfer fluid (such as molten salt or pressurized water) that acts as a mediator between the thermal energy storage material in the crucible and the heat recovery system. This intermediate fluid absorbs thermal energy from the crucible through controlled convection and heat exchange, transferring heat efficiently while protecting the heat recovery system from direct exposure to extreme heat flux and thermal shock
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 solution achieves high energy conversion and storage efficiency, with reduced emissions, extended device lifespan, and improved thermal management, enabling efficient conversion of thermal energy to electrical power.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generator powered by an electrical energy source and positioned in close proximity to an outside of the side wall of the crucible so as to be able to heat the energy storage material
Implementation Method 2
employes phase change materials for efficient thermal energy storage and retrieval
Implementation Method 3
the thermal energy can be retrieved by conduction through the crucible side wall and into the fluid flow circuit thereby heating the fluid therein
Implementation Method 4
a regulated fluid flow circuit in the housing that circulates fluid from a fluid circuit inlet that is heated and circulated to a fluid circuit outlet as heated fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An energy conversion, storage and retrieval device and method, comprising: a susceptor crucible encased in a thermal housing, the susceptor crucible having a bottom wall and one or more side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, therein defining a crucible interior which contains a thermal energy storage material; a heat generator powered by an electrical energy source and positioned in close proximity to an outside of the side wall of the crucible so as to be able to heat the energy storage material; a regulated fluid flow circuit in the housing that circulates fluid from a fluid circuit inlet, that is heated and circulated to a fluid circuit outlet as heated fluid; wherein when heated, the energy storage material stores thermal energy, and wherein the thermal energy can be retrieved by conduction through the crucible side wall and into the fluid flow circuit thereby heating the fluid therein.