Phase-Change Thermal Storage With Freeze Point Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical storage and renewable energy generation technologies face limitations in efficiently storing and dispatching energy, particularly in enhancing the performance of devices like electrical generators and refrigeration systems, and in achieving high efficiency in solar-to-electric conversion.
Innovation Solution
The method involves inducing a phase transition in a storage material, combining it with a freeze point suppressant to enhance device performance, and using a multi-stage cycle to absorb and store thermal energy, which can be later utilized to boost the efficiency of electrical generators, refrigeration systems, and solar energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If thermal energy is stored using phase change materials, then energy storage capacity is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple stages and separation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage system is divided into multiple distinct stages: (1) freezing the storage material in a first container, (2) combining with freeze point suppressant in a second container, (3) thermal contact with the device in a third container, and (4) separation in a fourth container. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently while managing the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A freeze point suppressant is introduced as an intermediary substance that enables the storage material to remain in a usable temperature range longer by suppressing its freezing point. This intermediary allows the system to maintain thermal energy storage capacity while extending the operational time window.
2Duration of action of moving object
If freeze point suppressant is combined with storage material, then duration of thermal energy availability is improved, but separation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system explicitly extracts and separates the freeze point suppressant from the storage material after the thermal enhancement function is completed. This is achieved through dedicated separation containers and processes that recover both substances for reuse, addressing the separation difficulty while maintaining the extended duration benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than permanently combining the freeze point suppressant with the storage material, the system discards the mixture after use and recovers both components through separation processes. This allows the extended thermal availability duration while enabling reuse of the valuable storage material and suppressant.
3Power
If multi-stage cycle is used for thermal enhancement, then efficiency of electrical generation is improved, but loss of time in processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage material is frozen in advance in the first container before being combined with the freeze point suppressant. This preliminary freezing action ensures the material is ready for immediate thermal contact with the electrical generation device, reducing delays while maintaining the efficiency benefits of the multi-stage process.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage process is designed to maintain continuous useful action by overlapping operations where possible and ensuring rapid transitions between stages. The thermal energy is continuously transferred from the storage material through the suppressant mixture to the electrical generation device, minimizing idle time between stages.
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 approach allows for improved efficiency and flexibility in energy storage and dispatch, enabling time-delayed electrical availability and enhanced performance of thermodynamic systems, including electrical generators and refrigeration devices, while optimizing solar energy conversion.
Implementation Method 1
a phase transition may be induced in a storage material. This may include partially or fully freezing the storage material
Implementation Method 2
inducing a phase transition in a storage material, combining it with a freeze point suppressant to enhance device performance
Implementation Method 3
The storage material may be combined with a freeze point suppressant in order to reduce its melt point
Implementation Method 4
absorbing heat from one or more devices. In some cases, this may improve the efficiency of the one or more devices
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are provided for thermal enhancement. Thermal enhancement may include absorbing heat from one or more devices. In some cases, this may improve the efficiency of the one or more devices. In general, a phase transition may be induced in a storage material. The storage material may be combined with a freeze point suppressant in order to reduce its melt point. The mixture may be used to boost the performance of device, such as an electrical generator, a heat engine, a refrigerator, and/or a freezer. The freeze point suppressant and storage material may be separated. By delaying the periods between each stage by prescribed amounts, the methods, systems, and devices may be able to shift the availability of electricity to the user and/or otherwise boost a device at different times in some cases.