Phase-Change Thermal Storage Unit with Metallic Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage units using solid-liquid phase-change materials are not optimized for compactness and efficient energy transfer, leading to inefficiencies in energy storage and retrieval, particularly in applications where space and manufacturing costs are critical.
Innovation Solution
A compact thermal energy storage unit design featuring a parallelepipedal casing with a single flow circuit and metallic flat plates filled with phase-change material, supported by U-shaped holders arranged in a coil configuration to enhance heat transfer and fluid distribution, ensuring optimal operation and efficient energy storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional thermal energy storage units use complex multi-circuit configurations or non-optimized geometries, then heat transfer surface area may be increased, but device compactness and manufacturing cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat carrier fluid circuit with the phase-change material containment structure by forming the circuit walls directly from the phase-change material or bonding them together. This integration eliminates separate circuit components, reduces overall device volume, and maintains effective heat transfer surface area, thereby resolving the contradiction between compactness and heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional coil or tube circuits to a two-dimensional plate-based circuit configuration. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization, improved heat carrier fluid distribution across the phase-change material surface, and enhanced compactness while maintaining or improving heat transfer efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If more phase-change material is used to increase energy storage capacity, then energy density is improved, but material cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the phase-change material into discrete plate units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each plate contains a specific amount of phase-change material, allowing for modular construction where multiple identical units are combined to achieve desired energy storage capacity. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by standardizing production processes and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal plate components that serve multiple functions: containing the phase-change material, forming heat transfer surfaces, and integrating with the heat carrier fluid circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifies manufacturing procedures, and lowers overall device complexity while maintaining high energy storage capacity.
3Productivity
If heat carrier fluid is distributed through multiple circuit channels, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat carrier fluid distribution function directly into the phase-change material plate structure. The plates themselves form the circuit channels, eliminating the need for separate distribution manifolds or complex piping systems. This integration maintains efficient heat carrier fluid distribution across all heat transfer surfaces while significantly simplifying manufacturing procedures and reducing component count.
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 design achieves an average power storage of 8kW/L with a temperature difference of 15°C over 180 seconds, optimizing the use of phase-change material and reducing material waste through improved heat transfer and fluid flow distribution, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective structure.
Implementation Method 1
solid-liquid phase-change materials, PCM. These types of materials can store thermal energy with high energy density in a well-defined temperature range wherein the solid-liquid phase change occurs
Implementation Method 2
at least one circuit along which a heat carrier fluid flows that will facilitate the thermal energy exchange with other system elements and/or processes
Implementation Method 3
the heat carrier fluid is distributed among the various circuit channels
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the design of a thermal energy storage unit that can store and recover the heat produced by an external source in the form of phase change sensible heat and latent heat by using a solid-liquid phase-change material. The phase-change material is encapsulated between two sheets, preferably metal sheets, forming a plate. A group of said plates is contained and duly organized inside a parallelepipedal casing, thereby forming the heat accumulator unit.