Thermal Energy Storage With Internal Heat-Transfer-Fluid Leak Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage systems face risks of heat transfer fluid leakage due to improperly sealed connections, which can lead to hazardous reactions with the environment, particularly with sodium, necessitating a more secure containment method.
Innovation Solution
A pump arrangement is integrated within the heat transfer fluid container to form a connecting interface inside the container, ensuring any leakage remains contained within the system, using a deformable metal bellow and sealing ring to manage tolerances and facilitate assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid connections are provided between different parts of the system, then thermal energy transfer is enabled, but the risk of heat transfer fluid leakage to the surroundings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump arrangement is nested inside the heat transfer fluid container, with the connecting interface between the pump and heating chamber located within the container. This nesting arrangement ensures that any leakage occurs inside the container rather than to the surroundings, effectively containing potential hazards while maintaining necessary fluid connections for thermal energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer fluid container creates a contained environment that isolates the heat transfer fluid from the external surroundings. By locating the connecting interface within this container, the system maintains a safe environment that prevents hazardous reactions even if leakage occurs at the connections.
2Reliability
If seals are used to prevent leakage, then leakage risk is reduced, but seals may deteriorate over time causing future leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The critical connecting interface is extracted from the external environment and placed inside the heat transfer fluid container. This extraction eliminates the need for external seals that would be exposed to environmental deterioration, as any leakage will occur within the container boundaries regardless of seal condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as a pre-established containment barrier that cushions against the potential harmful effects of leakage. By designing the system so that the container walls are between the connecting interface and the external environment, the system proactively protects against leakage consequences even before seal deterioration occurs.
3Ease of manufacture
If connections are made outside the heat transfer fluid container, then assembly is easier, but leakage would expose the heat transfer fluid to the surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The pump arrangement and heating chamber are nested within the heat transfer fluid container, creating a hierarchical structure where the inner components are surrounded by the container walls. This nesting ensures that assembly can be performed with the components in a controlled manner while the final configuration provides inherent containment of any potential leakage within the container.
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 effectively contains any leakage within the heat transfer fluid container, reducing the risk of environmental exposure and enhancing system safety by maintaining a sodium-safe environment.
Implementation Method 1
a heating chamber (6) comprising a heating device (16), the heating chamber (6) being in fluid communication with the inlet of the jacket (4)
Implementation Method 2
a pump arrangement (10) provided in the second container (8) for pumping the heat transfer fluid from the second container (8), via the heating chamber (6) in which the heat transfer fluid is heated by the heating device (16), and to the said space formed between the jacket (4) and the wall portion of the first container (2)
Implementation Method 3
A phase change material may be heated and liquefied in a container. The phase change, from solid state to liquid state, results in a large energy recovery.
Implementation Method 4
thermal energy transfer between the heat transfer fluid and the phase change material occurs
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A thermal energy storage system, comprising a first container for a phase change material, a jacket connected to the first container, wherein a space is formed between the jacket and the first container, a heating chamber comprising a heating device, the heating chamber being in fluid communication with the jacket, a second container for a heat transfer fluid, a pump arrangement for pumping the heat transfer fluid from the second container, via the heating chamber, and to the said space formed between the jacket and the first container, in order to cause thermal energy to be transferred between the heat transfer fluid and the phase change material, wherein the heating chamber has a projecting portion that extends through a wall of the second container such that a connecting interface between the pump arrangement and the heating chamber is located inside the second container, wherein if any heat transfer fluid leaks through the connecting interface it will remain in the second container.