Solar thermal power generation system using single hot molten salt thermal energy storage tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar thermal power generation systems require two tanks for thermal energy storage, increasing costs and installation space, and existing systems face challenges with molten salt flow and pressure drop.
Innovation Solution
A solar thermal power generation system utilizing a single hot molten salt thermal energy storage tank with a porous block structure that forms a flow path for molten salt, allowing for efficient heat storage and reduced pressure drop, and the ability to adjust capacity by stacking unit blocks, with heat dissipation and storage paths for efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two tanks (low temperature tank and high temperature tank) are used for thermal energy storage, then thermal energy storage capability is improved, but system cost and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the low temperature tank and high temperature tank into a single integrated tank structure. The tank is divided into an upper storage section and a lower storage section, where the upper section stores high temperature molten salt and the lower section stores low temperature molten salt. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate tanks while maintaining the thermal energy storage functionality, thereby reducing system complexity and installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the flow paths and thermal exchange structures are arranged vertically within the single tank. The porous packing material and heat exchange surfaces are nested within the tank structure, allowing the hot and cold storage zones to be spatially organized in a compact, nested manner that maximizes thermal efficiency while minimizing overall system footprint.
2Reliability
If molten salt flows through conventional tank structures, then thermal energy storage is achieved, but pressure drop increases and flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous packing materials (such as ceramic foams or sintered metals) within the tank structure to facilitate molten salt flow. These porous materials provide extensive surface area for heat exchange while maintaining low flow resistance. The porous structure allows molten salt to flow through with minimal pressure drop, enhancing flow efficiency and reducing energy losses compared to conventional smooth-walled tanks.
3Device complexity
If a single tank structure is used, then system cost and installation space are reduced, but thermal energy storage capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal separation of hot and cold tanks to a vertical stratification within a single tank. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system achieves thermal energy storage capability equivalent to two separate tanks while reducing horizontal footprint and system complexity. The vertical arrangement allows natural convection and density-driven stratification to maintain thermal layers effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The single tank is segmented into distinct functional zones: an upper storage section for hot molten salt, a lower storage section for cold molten salt, and intermediate heat exchange zones. This segmentation is achieved through internal structures such as porous packing materials and heat exchange surfaces that create functional boundaries without requiring separate physical tanks, thereby maintaining thermal storage capability while simplifying the overall system.
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 reduces costs and installation space by eliminating the need for two tanks, enhances molten salt flow, and allows for flexible capacity adjustments, improving thermal energy storage and power generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a single thermal energy storage tank which is formed in a shape of a porous block so as to form a flow path on which molten salt heated from the solar collector passes and that forms heat of the molten salt as a layer and stores the heat
Implementation Method 2
a solar collector that collects solar heat
Implementation Method 3
a power generator that generates electricity by receiving the heat stored in the single thermal energy storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
A single thermal energy storage tank is used so that costs can be reduced and an installation space can also be reduced compared to a case where two tanks, i.e., a high temperature tank and a low temperature tank are provided. In addition, the single thermal energy storage tank includes a porous block so that passage of molten salt can be more easily performed and flow pressure drop can be reduced. In addition, the porous block is configured by stacking a plurality of unit blocks so that the capacity of the single thermal energy storage tank can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, a plurality of single thermal energy storage tanks are connected in parallel so that the plurality of single thermal energy storage tanks can be selectively used according to an operation load and thus the solar thermal power generation system can easily cope with the operation load.