Modular Concrete Thermal Storage Element With Embedded Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal energy storage technologies face challenges in reducing costs, enhancing durability, and improving operational efficiency, particularly in scaling up or down and maintenance, which hinders the transition to renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state thermal energy storage element featuring a combined casting form and ring reinforcement outer shell with embedded pipe heat exchangers and electric heating elements, allowing for easy scalability and efficient heat transfer, utilizing a hardened concrete medium and small diameter pipes to ensure turbulent flow and high thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal energy storage technologies are used, then energy storage capacity is achieved, but cost performance and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage system is divided into modular elements, each consisting of a container with embedded heat exchanger pipes and concrete storage medium. These standardized modules can be manufactured independently and assembled in various configurations to achieve different storage capacities, thereby improving ease of manufacture and cost performance while maintaining required energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The concrete medium serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the thermal energy storage material, provides structural support for the container, and serves as the embedding matrix for the heat exchanger pipes. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining effective heat transfer and storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If thermal energy storage systems are scaled up, then energy storage capacity increases, but complexity of operation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the storage system into identical modular elements, each with self-contained heat exchangers and storage media, the system can be scaled by simply adding or removing modules rather than redesigning the entire system. This modularity maintains operational simplicity while enabling flexible scaling of energy storage capacity to match demand variations.
3Quantity of substance
If thermal energy storage systems are scaled up, then energy storage capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses identical standardized modular elements that can be replicated to achieve any desired storage capacity. Each module has the same internal configuration with embedded heat exchangers and concrete medium, eliminating the need for complex custom designs when scaling up. This modular approach linearly scales capacity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components are merged into a single integrated concrete medium: the thermal storage material, the structural support matrix, and the embedding medium for heat exchangers all become one unified component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate systems that need to be coordinated, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining scalability.
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
This solution simplifies and enhances the scalability, durability, and cost-effectiveness of thermal energy storage, facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources by providing efficient and reliable energy storage and delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe heat exchanger, for heat input and output; cast into the concrete and thus embedded into the element
Implementation Method 2
The embedded pipe heat exchanger has small enough diameter to provide turbulent flow at normal operating conditions
Implementation Method 3
The element is distinguished in that the element further comprises an electric heating element, as means for heat input, said means have been cast into the concrete and thus embedded into the element
Implementation Method 4
The embedded pipe heat exchanger has small enough diameter to provide turbulent flow at normal operating conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an element for an easily scalable thermal energy storage, distinctive in that the element comprises: an outer shell being a combined casting form and reinforcement, a solid thermal storage medium in the form of hardened concrete, which concrete has been cast and hardened into said outer shell. Method for building and use of the element, and thermal energy storage comprising elements of the invention.