High Temperature Thermal Energy Exchange System for Grid Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage technologies, aside from pumped hydro storage, face challenges in storing electric energy at low costs and are geographically limited, while renewable energy sources like wind and solar generate electricity that fluctuates, necessitating efficient energy storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A high temperature thermal energy exchange system with a charging unit that uses a heat transfer fluid to efficiently store and release thermal energy, utilizing electrical heating devices and thermally insulated heat exchange chambers with heat storage materials like stones or ionic liquids, allowing for flexible operation and integration with existing power plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pumped hydro storage is used, then large scale energy storage is achieved, but geographical limitation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary to transfer thermal energy between the heat storage material and the external environment. This allows the system to decouple the storage function from location-specific constraints, enabling deployment in various geographical locations without requiring the specific topographical conditions needed for pumped hydro storage.
2Productivity
If electrical heating devices are used to heat heat transfer fluid, then thermal energy storage efficiency is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system preheats the heat transfer fluid using waste heat or low-grade thermal energy before it enters the main heating zone. This preliminary action reduces the temperature differential that needs to be overcome by the electrical heating devices, thereby improving overall efficiency and reducing energy losses during the charging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers waste heat from various sources (such as industrial processes or cooling systems) and uses it to preheat the heat transfer fluid or maintain storage temperatures. This recovery process reduces the amount of primary energy needed for heating and minimizes thermal energy loss to the environment.
3Productivity
If heat storage material is arranged in heat exchange chamber, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat storage material is divided into multiple segments or zones within the heat exchange chamber, each optimized for different temperature ranges or heat transfer rates. This segmentation allows for improved overall heat exchange efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple system structure through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heat exchange chamber are designed with locally optimized properties - such as varying heat storage material densities, thermal conductivities, or flow distribution patterns - to maximize heat exchange efficiency in each specific zone without requiring complex system-wide modifications.
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 enables efficient storage and release of thermal energy, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources by providing a cost-effective, high-energy-density solution that can stabilize the grid and reduce CO2 emissions, with the ability to store energy for extended periods and convert it into electricity when needed.
Implementation Method 1
the resistance heater comprises a large heat exchange area for an efficient heat exchange from the resistance heater to the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
thermal energy is produced and transferred to the heat transfer fluid (via direct contact, convection or radiation)
Implementation Method 3
thermal energy is produced and transferred to the heat transfer fluid (via direct contact, convection or radiation)
Implementation Method 4
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
Implementation Method 5
In order to minimize loss of thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system with a least one high temperature thermal energy exchange system is provided. The high temperature thermal energy exchange system includes at least one heat exchange chamber with chamber boundaries which surround at least one chamber interior of the heat exchange chamber, wherein the chamber boundaries include at least one inlet opening for guiding in an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the chamber interior and at least one outlet opening for guiding out an outflow of the heat transfer fluid out of the 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.