Segmented Heat Exchanger for Thermal Storage Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage devices face challenges in efficiently transferring thermal energy between a heat exchanger medium and a storage medium with thermal stratification without disturbing the stratification or causing turbulence, especially when the heat exchanger medium's temperature fluctuates, leading to inefficient energy reuse in energy-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a flexible heat exchanger surface area adjustment mechanism that allows the heat exchanger medium to be transferred to different segments of the storage vessel based on temperature differences, minimizing stratification disruption and optimizing energy transfer, using a control and regulation unit to manage shut-off devices and select appropriate segments for heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a heat exchanger unit is arranged in a height-adjustable manner within the storage tank, then thermal energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the stored fluid moves significantly disrupting the thermal stratification
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger unit is divided into multiple heating sections arranged at different heights within the storage tank. Each section can be independently controlled to heat specific temperature zones, allowing efficient thermal energy transfer while maintaining the overall thermal stratification structure of the stored fluid.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple heat exchanger units are arranged at different heights within the storage tank, then thermal stratification disruption is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating sections are integrated into a single heat exchanger unit with a common fluid passage system. This merging approach maintains the ability to heat different height zones independently while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing the number of separate components required.
3Productivity
If the heat exchanger surface area is increased to transfer more thermal energy, then energy transfer efficiency improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the heating sections can be selectively activated based on the temperature and flow characteristics of the incoming fluid. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve high thermal energy transfer rates by activating only the necessary heating sections rather than requiring maximum surface area to be always engaged.
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 enhances thermal energy transfer and reuse, reducing primary energy consumption by maintaining thermal stratification and allowing for effective use of heat exchanger media with fluctuating temperatures, while maintaining a simple, robust, and low-maintenance design.
Implementation Method 1
transfer thermal energy from a first heat exchange medium to a storage medium in a different thermal state
Implementation Method 2
thermal stratification occurs when the density of a liquid storage medium decreases as it heats up... Warmer water collects at the top of a storage container, while cold water remains at the bottom
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage device (1) for the temporary storage of thermal energy, comprising: - a thermally insulated storage vessel (2) for receiving a storage medium (4), - at least one heat exchanger unit (3) arranged in the storage vessel (2), through which at least one heat exchange medium flows, and which is divided into segments (S1, S2, S3) and is configured to transfer the at least one heat exchange medium to different heights in the storage vessel (2), - a number of supply lines (5) for supplying and/or discharging the at least one heat exchange medium, wherein at least one supply line (5) is connected to each of the segments (S1, S2, S3), - a shut-off device (6) for each supply line (5) connected to a segment (S1, S2, S3), - at least one first temperature sensor (7a,7b) for detecting a first temperature T1 of the at least one heat exchanger medium on a side of the respective shut-off device (6) facing away from the storage vessel (2), and at least one second temperature sensor (8) in the area of each height level at which a segment (S1, S2, S3) is located, for detecting a local second temperature T2 of the storage medium (4). The invention further relates to a method for operating this storage device and its use.