Segmented Heat Exchange Chambers for Flexible Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fluctuating energy output from renewable sources like wind and solar poses challenges in managing electricity generation, and existing heat exchange systems struggle to provide a flexible and efficient method for storing and releasing thermal energy, making it difficult to integrate with the power grid effectively.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange system with at least two horizontal heat exchange chambers, each equipped with adjustable flow elements and thermal insulation, allowing for individual control of heat exchange flows and operating modes, enabling flexible energy storage and release by reversing the direction of heat transfer fluid flow between charging and discharging modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single heat exchange chamber is used, then the system structure is simple, but the system lacks flexibility in adjusting heat storage and release capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange system is divided into multiple independent heat exchange chambers (first heat exchange chamber, second heat exchange chamber), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows selective activation of chambers based on energy storage/release requirements, providing flexibility without requiring complete system redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed flow rates are used through heat exchange chambers, then the control system is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying energy demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates adjustable flow rate control for each heat exchange chamber, allowing dynamic modification of heat transfer fluid flow rates. This enables real-time adaptation to varying energy storage and release demands while maintaining relatively simple control architecture through independent chamber operation.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple heat exchange chambers are operated simultaneously, then the thermal energy storage capacity is increased, but the pressure losses in the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into multiple independent chambers with individual flow control, the system can distribute thermal energy storage across chambers while controlling flow rates to minimize pressure losses. Each chamber operates independently, allowing optimization of flow paths.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system operates in fixed modes only, then the operation control is simple, but the system cannot respond to fluctuating renewable energy output
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic switching between charging and discharging modes for each heat exchange chamber independently. This allows flexible response to fluctuating renewable energy output by activating or deactivating specific chambers based on real-time energy conditions, while maintaining relatively simple operational control through standardized chamber operations.
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 system allows for efficient and flexible thermal energy storage and release, optimizing energy utilization by activating or deactivating heat exchange chambers as needed, reducing pressure losses and improving efficiency, and can be integrated into existing power plants to enhance flexibility and long-term thermal storage applications.
Implementation Method 1
By the guiding of the hot heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior a heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid to the heat storage material is caused
Implementation Method 2
By the guiding of the cold heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior a heat transfer from the heat storage material to the heat transfer fluid is caused
Implementation Method 3
The heat exchange chamber boundaries comprise thermal insulation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention refers to a heat exchange system with at least two heat exchange chambers. Each of the heat exchange chambers comprises heat exchange chamber boundaries which surround at least one heat exchange chamber interior of the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber boundaries comprise at least one first opening for guiding in of an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the heat exchange chamber interior and at least one second opening for guiding out of an outflow of the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchange chamber interior. At least one heat storage material is arranged in the heat exchange chamber interior such that a heat exchange flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior causes a heat exchange between the heat storage material and the heat transfer fluid. The heat exchange flow through the heat exchange chamber interior of each of the heat exchange chambers can be adjusted individually with the aid of at least one flow adjusting element. In addition to the heat exchange system, a method for exchanging heat by using the heat exchange system is provided, wherein the heat exchange flow through the heat exchange interior of each of the heat exchange chambers is individually adjusted with the aid of the flow adjusting element.