Radiation-Cavity Thermal Storage Blocks for Uniform High-Temperature Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal energy storage systems face challenges in efficiently storing and delivering thermal energy from variable renewable electricity sources, particularly due to high costs, thermal runaway issues, and the inability to maintain uniform temperatures, which limits their effectiveness in industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy storage system that uses vertically oriented thermal storage units with stacked bricks and resistive heaters, connected via switching circuitry, and a dynamic insulation system to manage temperature uniformity and efficient heat transfer, allowing for continuous discharge of high-temperature heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal energy storage systems use conventional storage methods, then they can store thermal energy, but they suffer from thermal runaway issues and inability to maintain uniform temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The storage medium is divided into multiple discrete bricks with individual heating zones. Each brick can be independently heated and monitored, preventing thermal runaway from propagating across the entire system. This segmentation allows localized temperature control while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the storage system can be maintained at different temperatures based on local demands. The system applies heating selectively to specific bricks or zones rather than uniformly heating the entire storage medium, optimizing temperature distribution and preventing hot spots that could lead to thermal runaway.
2Productivity
If thermal energy storage systems use high costs, then they can achieve efficient energy storage, but the high cost limits wide adoption
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inexpensive refractory bricks as the storage medium instead of expensive specialized materials. These bricks can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, reducing the overall system cost while maintaining effective thermal energy storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the storage approach by using solid brick materials with specific thermal properties rather than conventional liquid or gas storage media. This parameter change enables efficient thermal storage using readily available, low-cost materials.
3Productivity
If thermal energy storage systems deliver continuous energy, then they meet industrial demands, but variable renewable electricity sources cannot naturally supply continuous energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats storage bricks during periods when renewable energy is abundant, storing thermal energy in advance for later use. This preliminary action allows the system to deliver continuous energy even when renewable input is intermittent, as the stored thermal energy can be drawn upon during low-generation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by circulating fluid through the brick storage medium continuously, extracting heat as needed. The fluid circulation system ensures that thermal energy is continuously transferred from the bricks to the fluid, providing a steady energy output regardless of variable input conditions.
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 system enables efficient storage and delivery of thermal energy at high temperatures, reducing costs and extending the lifespan of components by mitigating thermal runaway and ensuring consistent energy supply despite variable renewable energy input.
Implementation Method 1
resistive heaters, connected via switching circuitry
Implementation Method 2
vertically oriented thermal storage units with stacked bricks
Implementation Method 3
efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 4
dynamic insulation system to manage temperature uniformity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes one or more thermal storage blocks that define a radiation chamber and a fluid flow slot positioned above the radiation chamber to define a fluid pathway in a first direction. The apparatus includes a heater element positioned adjacent to the radiation chamber in a second, different direction, wherein the radiation chamber is open on at least one side to the heater element. The apparatus includes a fluid movement system configured to direct a stream of fluid through the fluid pathway in the first direction.