Thermal Energy Storage System with Intermediary Fluid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems, such as battery banks, are costly, toxic, and complex, and thermal energy storage systems have limited conversion efficiency and high costs, making them less viable alternatives.
Innovation Solution
The development of thermal energy storage and power generation systems that store energy in the form of thermal potential and convert it back to electrical energy based on demand, eliminating the need for electrical batteries and improving conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery banks are used for energy storage, then energy can be stored and released on demand, but the system becomes costly, toxic, and complex due to the need for batteries, inverters, and transformers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical battery storage system with a thermal energy storage system. Instead of storing energy chemically in batteries, the system stores energy thermally in a heated medium (such as water or other fluids) within a storage tank. This substitution eliminates the need for batteries, inverters, and transformers, thereby reducing device complexity and removing toxic components while maintaining energy storage capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If thermal energy storage systems are used, then electrical batteries can be eliminated, but conversion efficiency from thermal potential to electricity remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal transfer fluid as an intermediary medium. The system heats the fluid in a storage tank, and the heated fluid then transfers thermal energy to a working fluid in a heat exchanger. This working fluid drives a turbine connected to a generator, converting thermal energy to mechanical energy and then to electricity. The multi-stage intermediary approach improves conversion efficiency by optimizing each energy transformation step while maintaining the non-toxic thermal storage advantage.
3Quantity of substance
If larger battery banks are employed for residential or industrial scales, then energy storage capacity increases, but cost and toxicity problems are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of energy storage from chemical (batteries) to thermal (heated medium). By scaling up the thermal storage tank size and heating capacity, the system can provide residential or industrial-scale energy storage without incurring the increased cost and toxicity associated with larger battery banks. The thermal system uses inexpensive, non-toxic materials such as water or common fluids, and the storage capacity can be easily scaled by increasing tank volume.
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
These systems provide a cost-effective, non-toxic, and efficient alternative to traditional energy storage solutions, capable of interfacing with various energy sources and grids, and are adaptable for residential and commercial scales.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element in the container... Thermal energy is stored by charging the thermal storage device via an electrical heating element
Implementation Method 2
a pair of fins in the container and arranged on opposite sides of the heating element... thermal storage material in the container and surrounding the heating element and the pair of fins
Implementation Method 3
a generator in communication with the outlet and the inlet of the tube of the thermal energy storage device... converting it back to electrical energy based on demand
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal energy storage and power generation system includes a thermal energy storage device including a container, a heating element in the container, a pair of fins in the container and arranged on opposite sides of the heating element, a thermal storage material in the container, and a tube in the container and extending around the thermal storage material. The system also includes a generator in communication with the thermal energy storage device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy as well as subsystems for regulating and controlling the system.