Thermal Brick Storage Control for Continuous High-Temperature Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal energy storage systems face challenges in efficiently storing and delivering thermal energy from variable renewable electricity sources, including high costs, thermal runaway issues, and inadequate control over charging and discharging processes, which limits their ability to provide continuous and reliable heat for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy storage system that uses vertically oriented thermal storage units with stacks of bricks and resistive heaters connected via switching circuitry, employing radiative heat transfer for charging and convective heat transfer for discharging, along with a dynamic insulation system and a control system that manages energy based on ambient conditions and forecasts to optimize temperature uniformity and extend component life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermal energy storage systems use variable renewable electricity sources for charging, then cost reduction and environmental sustainability are improved, but thermal runaway issues and reliability deteriorate due to the variable and intermittent nature of VRE
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by forecasting VRE availability and thermal energy demand in advance, then pre-scheduling charging and discharging operations. This allows the system to prepare for variable input conditions and prevent thermal runaway by anticipating and planning for energy fluctuations before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual VRE input, thermal storage state, and demand conditions, then comparing these against forecasts. The controller adjusts charging/discharging rates in real-time based on this feedback, maintaining thermal stability and preventing runaway conditions while maximizing VRE utilization.
2Device complexity
If thermal energy storage systems operate without forecast-based control, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and energy delivery reliability worsen due to inability to meet continuous industrial demand
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by forecasting VRE availability and thermal energy demand in advance, then pre-scheduling charging and discharging operations. This allows the system to prepare for variable input conditions and prevent thermal runaway by anticipating and planning for energy fluctuations before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual VRE input, thermal storage state, and demand conditions, then comparing these against forecasts. The controller adjusts charging/discharging rates in real-time based on this feedback, maintaining thermal stability and preventing runaway conditions while maximizing VRE utilization.
3Ease of operation
If thermal energy storage systems use simple control methods, then ease of operation is improved, but temperature uniformity and component life deteriorate leading to thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by forecasting VRE availability and thermal energy demand in advance, then pre-scheduling charging and discharging operations. This allows the system to prepare for variable input conditions and prevent thermal runaway by anticipating and planning for energy fluctuations before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actual VRE input, thermal storage state, and demand conditions, then comparing these against forecasts. The controller adjusts charging/discharging rates in real-time based on this feedback, maintaining thermal stability and preventing runaway conditions while maximizing VRE utilization.
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 achieves efficient and cost-effective storage and delivery of high-temperature thermal energy, mitigates thermal runaway, and ensures reliable operation by maintaining temperature uniformity and extending the life of heating elements and storage media, enabling continuous energy supply despite variable renewable energy inputs.
Implementation Method 1
resistive heaters connected via switching circuitry, employing radiative heat transfer for charging
Implementation Method 2
employing radiative heat transfer for charging
Implementation Method 3
employing radiative heat transfer for charging and convective heat transfer for discharging
Implementation Method 4
along with a dynamic insulation system that manages energy based on ambient conditions and forecasts to optimize temperature uniformity
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.