Sand-Graphite Thermal Battery for Agricultural Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage methods for renewable energy, such as electrochemical batteries, are costly, environmentally harmful, and have short lifespans, making them unsuitable for sustainable drying applications like agricultural product drying, which requires consistent and efficient energy storage.
Innovation Solution
A thermal storage battery system using a stainless steel battery core with a sand-graphite thermal storage material mixture and heating elements, surrounded by insulation layers and a steel frame, capable of storing and releasing heat for drying agricultural products, reducing reliance on weather conditions and environmental hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrochemical batteries are used for energy storage, then energy density is improved, but cost and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy storage parameter from electrochemical to thermal energy storage. The heating elements convert electrical energy to thermal energy, which is stored in the sand-graphite mixture. This parameter change eliminates the need for hazardous electrochemical materials while providing sufficient energy density for drying applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of sand and graphite mixed in a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio. This composite provides both thermal storage capacity and electrical conductivity, enabling the system to store thermal energy without requiring electrochemical battery materials, thus reducing environmental impact while maintaining energy density.
2Productivity
If traditional fuel sources are used for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and resource depletion worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical combustion system (burning wood, oil, or coal) with an electrical heating system. The heating elements directly convert electrical energy to thermal energy without combustion, eliminating CO2 emissions and harmful pollutants while maintaining drying efficiency. This substitution aligns with renewable energy integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from fossil fuels or biomass to electrical energy from renewable sources (solar or wind). This parameter change eliminates the environmental harm associated with traditional fuels while providing consistent drying efficiency through controlled electrical heating.
3Ease of manufacture
If sun drying is used, then cost is reduced, but reliability and productivity worsen due to weather dependence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-service drying system where the thermal storage battery stores excess renewable energy during periods of high generation and releases it during drying operations. This eliminates weather dependence while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using freely available renewable energy, achieving both low cost and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary energy storage by capturing and storing thermal energy in the sand-graphite mixture during periods when renewable energy is abundant. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient energy is available for consistent drying operations regardless of current weather conditions, improving reliability while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
4Quantity of substance
If electrochemical batteries are used, then energy storage capacity is improved, but lifespan and sustainability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, short-lived electrochemical batteries with a durable thermal storage system using sand and graphite. These materials are extremely stable and can operate for decades without degradation, effectively eliminating the lifespan and sustainability issues associated with electrochemical batteries while maintaining adequate energy storage capacity.
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 thermal storage battery system provides a cost-effective, long-term energy storage solution with reduced environmental impact, ensuring consistent and efficient drying operations, improving energy efficiency and extending the lifespan of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heating elements placed in the battery core, the plurality of heating elements being configured to generate heat from electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
the thermal storage material mixture is configured to store the heat
Implementation Method 3
a heat extraction pipe configured to collect heat from the battery core
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of wall thermal insulation layers, a lid thermal insulation layer, and a bottom thermal insulation layer that enclose the battery core
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal storage battery is described. The thermal storage battery includes a battery core including a battery core shell made of stainless steel and a thermal storage material mixture included in the battery core shell, the thermal storage material mixture including a mixture of sand and graphite; a plurality of heating elements placed in the battery core, in which each heating element is surrounded by a respective protective tube; a plurality of wall thermal insulation layers, a lid thermal insulation layer, and a bottom thermal insulation layer that enclose the battery core; and at least one heat extraction pipe configured to collect heat from the battery core. The battery core, the plurality of heating elements, the plurality of wall thermal insulation layers, the lid thermal insulation layer, the bottom thermal insulation layer, and the at least one heating collection pipe are encased in a steel outer frame.