Particle Bed Thermal Regulation for CAES Heat Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat storage and release systems in compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems are inefficient due to the rejection of heat energy during compression and the need for external heating during expansion, leading to suboptimal performance and reduced energy recovery.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage and release system with a bed of heat storage particles, equipped with thermal regulation means at each end to control temperature, allowing for efficient heat transfer and maintenance of thermal gradients during charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a fixed bed of particles is used for heat storage, then heat storage capacity is improved, but thermal stratification control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed bed of particles is divided into multiple zones or layers, each capable of maintaining different temperature levels. This segmentation allows the system to store large quantities of heat while preserving thermal stratification, as each segment can independently regulate its thermal state without disrupting the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal regulation means is introduced as an intermediary component between the hot and cold regions of the particle bed. This mediator actively controls heat transfer between zones, preventing complete thermal mixing while maintaining the stratified structure, thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and stratification control.
2Productivity
If thermal regulation means is added at each end of the particle bed, then heat storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal regulation means are placed only at the extreme ends of the particle bed rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized approach provides effective thermal control and efficiency improvement while minimizing the addition of complex components, as the regulation functions are concentrated at specific boundary locations rather than distributed system-wide.
3Loss of energy
If thermal gradients are maintained in the particle bed, then energy recovery is improved, but heat transfer uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts thermal regulation at different ends of the particle bed based on operational phase (charging vs. discharging). During charging, heat is introduced at one end creating a gradient; during discharging, the gradient is reversed or maintained as needed. This dynamic control maximizes energy recovery while accepting that uniformity will vary according to the operational requirements.
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 optimizes heat storage and release efficiency by maintaining thermal gradients, enhancing energy recovery and system stability, and reducing the need for external heating, thereby improving the overall performance of CAES systems.
Implementation Method 1
heat storage is achieved by a bed of particles on which heat exchange is performed with a fluid
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the thermal gradient within the fixed bed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and a method for storing and releasing heat, comprising at least one bed of heat storage particles (2). The system further comprises, at each end of the fixed bed, a thermal regulation means for the particles (5). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system and a method for storing and recovering energy by compressed gas using such a heat storage and release system.