Thermal Energy Storage Power Plant Bypass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal energy storage power plants face inefficiencies in load control, temperature management, and material limitations, leading to excess thermal energy disposal, potential damage to steam generators, and prolonged maintenance times due to lack of forced cooling.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an auxiliary system with a bypass flow path and control apparatus that independently controls the temperature and flow rate of the thermal medium, allowing for efficient thermal energy distribution and forced cooling during maintenance, enabling the use of high-temperature thermal storage materials and reducing the size and cost of the thermal accumulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional thermal energy storage power plants use simple thermal accumulation without auxiliary control systems, then device complexity is reduced, but load control efficiency deteriorates and excess thermal energy must be disposed
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal medium flow path is segmented into multiple independent controllable paths: a first flow path from thermal accumulator to steam generator, a second flow path from steam generator to thermal accumulator, and a bypass flow path. This segmentation enables independent control of thermal energy distribution, allowing efficient load control without excessive system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An auxiliary system with control apparatus is introduced as an intermediary between the thermal accumulator and steam generator. This intermediary controls the flow rate and temperature of thermal medium independently, enabling precise load control and preventing excess thermal energy disposal while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If high-temperature thermal storage materials are used to improve energy density, then storage capacity increases, but steam generator damage risk increases due to excessive temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus acts as an intermediary that decouples the thermal accumulator from the steam generator temperature constraints. It independently controls the thermal medium temperature and flow rate, allowing high-temperature thermal storage materials to be used for increased energy density while preventing excessive temperature from damaging the steam generator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the thermal medium dynamically through auxiliary control. The control apparatus adjusts thermal medium temperature and flow rate independently, enabling the use of high-temperature thermal storage materials while maintaining safe operating temperatures for the steam generator.
3Device complexity
If natural cooling is used after steam generator maintenance, then system simplicity is maintained, but maintenance time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary system enables continuous forced cooling operation after maintenance by circulating thermal medium through the steam generator via the controlled flow paths. This maintains the cooling function continuously rather than relying on slow natural cooling, significantly reducing maintenance time while keeping the cooling system relatively simple.
4Device complexity
If thermal medium flow rate is not independently controlled, then system simplicity is maintained, but thermal energy distribution efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus dynamically adjusts the thermal medium flow rate independently of temperature control. This dynamic control capability enables efficient thermal energy distribution by matching flow rate to thermal demand, while the integrated control design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
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 solution enhances the thermal energy storage power plant's efficiency by allowing precise control of thermal energy supply, reducing waste, enabling the use of advanced thermal storage materials, and shortening maintenance times through forced cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal accumulator that accumulates thermal energy supplied from a heating module, and heats the thermal medium with the thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator that generates steam from water using the thermal energy of the thermal medium supplied from the thermal accumulator
Implementation Method 3
a first flow path that conveys the thermal medium from the thermal accumulator to the steam generator, and a second flow path that conveys the thermal medium from the steam generator to the thermal accumulator
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a thermal energy storage power plant includes a thermal accumulator to accumulate thermal energy and heat a thermal medium with the thermal energy, and a steam generator to generate steam using the thermal medium. The plant further includes a first path to convey the thermal medium from the accumulator to the generator, and a second path to convey the thermal medium from the generator to the accumulator. The plant further includes an auxiliary module provided on the first path, and a bypass path to convey the thermal medium flowing through the second path to the auxiliary module by bypassing the accumulator, wherein the auxiliary module is supplied with a first thermal medium from the accumulator via the first path, supplied with a second thermal medium from the second path via the bypass path, and supplies a third thermal medium to the generator via the first path.