Thermal Energy Storage System with Single Tank Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal energy storage systems for generating electrical energy are often complex and inefficient, with a large footprint, which hinders their widespread adoption for mitigating intermittency in renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A simplified thermal energy storage system comprising two storage tanks for heat-storage fluid at low and high temperatures, with two heat exchangers functioning as a condenser and evaporator, allowing the system to operate alternately as a heat pump for charging and as a heat engine for discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a pumped thermal energy storage system with multiple tanks and counterflow heat exchangers is used, then energy storage capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple tanks into a single tank that stores both hot and cold thermal energy. The single tank replaces the conventional four-tank configuration, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining energy storage capacity. The hot and cold storage fluid volumes are adjusted within the same tank to achieve the required storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single tank serves multiple functions: storing hot thermal energy, storing cold thermal energy, and facilitating heat exchange operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated tanks for hot and cold storage, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Quantity of substance
If a pumped thermal energy storage system with multiple components is used, then energy storage capacity is improved, but footprint area increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple tanks into a single integrated tank structure, the patent reduces the spatial footprint required for the thermal energy storage system. The consolidation of hot and cold storage volumes into one location minimizes the land area occupied while preserving the total energy storage capacity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional thermal energy storage systems are used, then energy can be stored and retrieved, but system efficiency decreases due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces energy losses by eliminating multiple heat exchangers and interconnections found in conventional systems. The direct coupling of the single tank with the heat pump/heat engine minimizes thermal transfer losses and improves overall system efficiency while maintaining full energy storage and retrieval functionality.
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 system achieves efficient energy storage and retrieval with a small footprint, enabling effective utilization of excess renewable energy and generation of electrical energy when needed, thus addressing the intermittency of renewable sources.
Implementation Method 1
the condenser is configured to transfer heat from a working fluid to the heat-storage fluid when the system works as a heat pump
Implementation Method 2
the evaporator is configured to transfer heat from the heat-storage fluid to a working fluid when the system works as a heat engine
Implementation Method 3
The system can store energy by operating as a heat pump and extract energy by operating as a heat engine
Implementation Method 4
When the system extract energy, the first heat exchanger receives high-temperature storage fluid from the first tank and cools it
Data Source
AI summary
The system for storing and using thermal energy has a first closed-loop cycle arrangement which comprises two main storage tanks: a first tank to store heat-storage fluid at low temperature and a second tank to store 5 heat-storage fluid at high temperature. The system comprises also a second thermodynamic cycle arrangement and a third thermodynamic cycle arrangement which can work respectively as a heat pump, to heat in a first heat exchanger the heat-storage fluid at low temperature by consuming electrical energy and store it in the second tank, and as a heat engine, to produce 0 electrical energy by cooling in a second heat exchanger the heat-storage fluid at high temperature and store it in the first tank.