Energy storage systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage systems face inefficiencies and environmental concerns due to reliance on fossil fuels, and they struggle with achieving suitable heat transfer rates and thermodynamic efficiency, particularly in using phase change materials for heating and cooling applications.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy store with multiple banks containing phase change materials that can absorb and release energy across various temperature ranges, featuring a control system to switch and adapt thermal energy transfers between sources and sinks, utilizing heat exchangers for efficient thermal energy transfer and incorporating devices like heat pumps to enhance energy transfer capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If fossil fuels are used for heating and hot water, then energy availability is ensured, but environmental harm increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of thermal energy by using multiple storage banks at different temperature levels (e.g., 50°C, 70°C, 90°C) to match different heating requirements, improving overall energy efficiency by avoiding excessive temperature differences and associated losses
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses phase change materials (PCMs) that undergo phase transitions (solid-liquid) at specific temperatures to store and release thermal energy efficiently, replacing fossil fuel combustion and eliminating associated environmental harm while maintaining energy availability
2Productivity
If single temperature thermal storage is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but heat transfer efficiency and thermodynamic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage system is segmented into multiple independent banks, each operating at a different temperature level. This segmentation allows optimized heat transfer at each temperature level while maintaining relatively simple individual bank designs, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the temperature dimension by creating a multi-temperature storage architecture. Instead of a single temperature storage unit, multiple banks operate at different temperatures, enabling more efficient thermodynamic processes without excessively complicating each individual storage unit
3Quantity of substance
If phase change materials are used for thermal storage, then energy density increases, but heat transfer rate and thermodynamic efficiency become difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the phase change material storage into multiple banks operating at different temperature levels. Each bank contains PCMs with specific phase transition temperatures, allowing optimized heat transfer rates at each temperature level while maintaining high overall energy storage capacity through the combination of multiple banks
Solution Approach 2:
Heat exchangers serve as intermediaries between the phase change material banks and the thermal energy sources/sinks. These intermediaries facilitate efficient heat transfer by providing large surface area contact and controlled thermal coupling, resolving the heat transfer rate limitations of PCM-based storage while preserving high energy density
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 enables efficient storage and release of thermal energy at multiple temperatures, balancing energy demand and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, while improving heat transfer rates and thermodynamic efficiency, making it suitable for both heating and cooling applications.
Implementation Method 1
said thermal energy storage material in at least one bank contains at least some of one or more types of thermal energy storage material that undergoes at least one energy absorbing and/or releasing phase transition at one or more temperatures
Implementation Method 2
when phase change materials reach the temperature at which they change phase (their melting point) they absorb large amounts of heat without a significant rise in temperature
Implementation Method 3
one or more thermal energy transfer connections, wherein each connection comprises one or more devices for transferring heat from a lower temperature body to a higher temperature body
Implementation Method 4
incorporating devices like heat pumps to enhance energy transfer capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
There is herein describedenergy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and/or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.