Thermal Storage Device Merging Intermediate Tank for Molten Salt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal energy storage systems for concentrated solar power plants, particularly those with direct steam generation, are economically penalized due to the need for additional tanks and complex fluidic circuits, leading to increased manufacturing and operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A thermal energy storage device with a first fluidic circuit containing two heat exchangers and a latent storage module with phase change material, allowing for separate control of high and low-temperature sensible heat storage stages using the same storage fluid, eliminating the need for an intermediate tank and simplifying the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an intermediate tank is added to enable different flow rates for heating and cooling molten salts, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the intermediate tank function into the existing high-temperature tank by enabling bidirectional fluid flow. The high-temperature tank serves dual purposes: storing heated molten salts during charging and receiving cooled molten salts during discharging, eliminating the need for a separate intermediate tank while maintaining precise temperature control through flow rate adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-temperature tank is designed to perform multiple functions: storing hot molten salts during energy charging, receiving cold molten salts during energy discharging, and serving as a flow rate adjustment point. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components while preserving the temperature control precision achieved by the intermediate tank approach.
2Productivity
If three tanks are used for thermal energy storage with phase change material, then the energy storage efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the intermediate tank with the high-temperature tank into a single vessel, reducing the total number of tanks from three to two. This merging maintains the energy storage efficiency by preserving the phase change material functionality while significantly reducing manufacturing costs associated with producing and installing an additional tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-temperature tank is designed to handle multiple operational modes (charging and discharging) with different flow rate requirements, eliminating the need for a dedicated intermediate tank. This reduces both capital expenditure on additional tanks and operational complexity, while maintaining the efficient energy storage capabilities provided by the phase change material.
3Productivity
If complex fluidic circuits with multiple tanks are implemented, then the heat storage and retrieval efficiency is improved, but the operating cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the fluidic circuit by merging the intermediate tank function into the high-temperature tank. This reduces the number of valves, pipes, and flow control points, thereby lowering operating costs related to maintenance, monitoring, and control while preserving the efficient heat storage and retrieval performance through maintained flow rate control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified fluidic circuit allows the high-temperature tank to serve multiple functions in both charging and discharging modes. This reduces operational complexity and associated costs while maintaining the efficient heat transfer performance achieved through the phase change material and controlled flow rates.
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 configuration reduces manufacturing and operating costs while maintaining efficient heat storage and retrieval, allowing for precise temperature control and optimized energy storage without the need for additional tanks.
Implementation Method 1
a latent storage module comprising a material with phase change arranged between the first exchanger and the second exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a latent storage module comprising a material with phase change
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
thermally coupled to the first fluid via the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
The fluid, after crossing the solar field, exits at a high temperature... passes through a heat exchanger to give up its heat
Implementation Method 6
a sensible heat storage module consisting of a first high temperature sensible heat storage stage and a second low temperature sensible heat storage stage
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3a
Figure 3b~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for storing thermal energy comprising a first fluid circulating in a first fluid circuit comprising a first heat exchanger (210), a second heat exchanger (220), and a latent storage module (300) comprising a phase-change material, arranged between the first exchanger (210) and the second exchanger (220), a second fluid circulating in a second fluid circuit thermally coupled to the first fluid via the first heat exchanger (210) and the second heat exchanger (220). Said second fluid circuit is made up of coupling means and of a sensible heat storage module consisting of a first, high-temperature, sensible heat storage stage (110) and of a second, low-temperature, sensible heat storage stage (120), each sensible heat storage stage (110, 120) having a reference temperature controlled by the variation in flow rate of the second fluid at the outlet and/or at the inlet of each of the stages (110, 120). The field of the invention is thermal storage systems (SST) notably in thermodynamic solar power stations. It relates more particularly to the incorporation of a thermal storage system in concentrating solar power stations and, more specifically, in direct steam generation power stations.