Thermal Energy Storage Assembly With Tapered PCM Vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials (PCMs) are complex and costly due to low thermal conductivity, requiring complex encapsulation techniques and multiple heat pipes, which increases production, installation, and maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy storage assembly comprising a PCM storage vessel with a thermally conductive wall in direct thermal communication with a HTF receptacle, allowing efficient heat transfer and storage without the need for internal structures like heat pipes, using a tapered design to facilitate gravity-driven PCM circulation and reduce heat transfer gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If complex encapsulation techniques are used to improve thermal conductivity of PCM, then thermal energy storage performance is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex internal encapsulation structures (heat pipes, cylinders, matrices) from the PCM storage vessel, replacing them with a simple thermally conductive wall. This eliminates the need for narrow pipes and complex internal geometries while maintaining effective heat transfer to the PCM.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a thermally conductive wall as an intermediary component between the external heat transfer fluid and the PCM. This wall acts as a mediator that efficiently transfers thermal energy to the PCM without requiring complex internal structures, thereby improving thermal conductivity while simplifying the overall system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple narrow pipes are used to transfer heat to PCM, then thermal energy transfer is improved, but manufacturing and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple narrow heat transfer pipes into a single thermally conductive wall structure. This consolidation maintains the thermal energy transfer function while dramatically simplifying manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, as the wall is a single monolithic component rather than multiple assembled pipes.
3Temperature
If complex encapsulation structures are implemented, then thermal conductivity of PCM is improved, but maintenance complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes complex internal encapsulation structures from the PCM storage vessel, replacing them with a simple thermally conductive wall. This extraction eliminates numerous potential failure points and simplifies maintenance, as the wall is a single replaceable component rather than a complex assembly of pipes and matrices.
4Quantity of substance
If two-tank systems with heat exchangers are used, then thermal energy storage capacity is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the thermal energy storage function with a simplified single-vessel design that uses a thermally conductive wall instead of separate tanks and heat exchangers. This consolidation maintains thermal energy storage capacity while dramatically reducing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally conductive wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the storage vessel boundary, the heat transfer interface, and the thermal conduction pathway. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heat exchanger components, simplifying the overall system while maintaining 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 solution provides a simpler, more efficient, and cost-effective thermal energy storage system that reduces complexity and enhances thermal energy extraction, enabling the use of waste or curtailed energy for electrical energy generation when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a PCM storage vessel (100) defined by a thermally conductive wall (108), the HTF receptacle (200) being provided adjacent to and in thermal communication with at least a portion of the PCM storage vessel (100)
Implementation Method 2
A phase change material is a material which is capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy when the material changes from a solid to a liquid and vice versa
Implementation Method 3
During phase change from solid to liquid energy is stored as latent heat
Implementation Method 4
using a tapered design to facilitate gravity-driven PCM circulation and reduce heat transfer gaps
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An assembly for storing thermal energy comprising a phase change material, PCM, storage vesseland at least one heat transfer fluid, HTF, receptacle, the PCM storage vessel being defined by a thermally conductive wall 108, the PCM storage vessel 100 comprising an inverted tapered portion, the inverted tapered portion having a tip portion and a base portion, the tip portionhaving a diameter less than the diameter of the base portion, the tip portion being arranged relatively beneath the base portion,the at least one HTF receptacle being provided adjacent to and in thermal communication with at least a portion of the PCM storage vessel, thermal communication between the PCM storage vessel and the at least one HTF receptacle occurring via the thermally conductive wall, and wherein the HTF receptacle comprises a portion for receiving thermal energy from an external thermal energy source, the said the portion being adjacent the tip portion of the inverted tapered portion.