Controlled Thermoblock Assembly for High-Temperature Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing surplus electrical energy are inefficient, resource-intensive, and environmentally harmful, particularly at high temperatures, and existing thermal energy storage systems face issues with expansion, contraction, pressure, and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A controlled thermoblock system using concrete or ceramic blocks with internal metal structures and thermal connectors, capable of storing energy at temperatures up to 800°C, incorporating high-pressure pipes and heating rods for steam generation, and equipped with sensors and insulation layers to manage thermal expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water is used as a thermal energy storage medium, then energy storage capacity is improved, but temperature maintenance capability deteriorates resulting in rapid energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the storage medium from liquid (water) to solid (concrete/ceramic blocks), which fundamentally alters the thermal properties. Solid materials maintain temperature much better than liquids, eliminating the rapid energy loss problem while preserving storage capacity through the mass of the blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of concrete or ceramic blocks containing metal reinforcements and thermal connectors. This composite structure combines the high heat capacity of concrete/ceramic with the thermal conductivity of metal, achieving both high energy storage capacity and excellent temperature maintenance capability.
2Quantity of substance
If large tanks are used for thermal energy storage, then storage capacity is improved, but pressure control becomes difficult creating extreme pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large thermal energy storage system into multiple modular blocks of concrete or ceramic. Each block is relatively small and can be stacked to form the overall storage capacity. This segmentation prevents extreme pressure buildup in any single component while maintaining the total storage capacity through the number of blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates flexible metal expansions and contraction joints between the concrete/ceramic blocks. These flexible connections allow the structure to expand and contract with thermal growth without creating extreme pressures, while still maintaining structural integrity and sealing.
3Quantity of substance
If heating is applied to large blocks of stone or concrete, then energy storage capacity is improved, but structural damage occurs due to thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible metal expansions and contraction joints between concrete/ceramic blocks to accommodate thermal expansion. These flexible connections prevent structural damage by allowing the blocks to move relative to each other as they expand and contract with temperature changes, while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials with metal reinforcements embedded in concrete or ceramic blocks. The metal components have different thermal expansion coefficients and provide structural reinforcement that helps withstand the stresses of thermal expansion, preventing cracking and structural damage while maintaining high energy storage capacity.
4Ease of manufacture
If sand is used for thermal energy storage, then material availability is improved, but energy transfer efficiency deteriorates due to large gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of concrete or ceramic blocks with metal reinforcements and thermal connectors. This composite structure eliminates the large gaps present in sand, providing continuous thermal pathways for efficient heat transfer while maintaining the availability of materials through the use of common concrete and metal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates thermal connectors and metal expansions that create continuous thermal pathways between blocks. These flexible metal components fill the gaps between blocks and provide efficient thermal conduction, eliminating the energy loss problem associated with sand's large gaps while maintaining material availability.
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 effectively stabilizes and stores large amounts of electrical energy with minimal loss, utilizing recyclable materials and reducing environmental impact, while allowing for efficient energy recovery and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
equipped inside its body with a metal structure, which is either a load-bearing metal structure of the controlled thermoblock, or a heating hot-water metal structure of the controlled thermoblock, which is connected to a source of electrical energy for heating, or a passive heat-conducting temperature-stabilizing metal structure
Implementation Method 2
cylindrical space for heating the controlled thermoblock in the inner part of each controlled thermoblock in the direction of its longitudinal axis parallel to each cylindrical space, with an insert with space for heating rods of a system of electric heating device for supplying thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
hollow formed cast spaces into which connecting expansion metal thermal connectors are freely inserted, wherein these expansion metal thermal connectors are in conductive contact with the internal metal structure
Implementation Method 4
arrangement of assembly with controlled thermoblocks and base controlled thermoblocks with controlled thermoblocks and controlled base thermoblocks placed with the surface area of the first expansion metal plate on a layer of loose metal expansion balls, which are placed on their opposite side on the second lower steel expansion plate inserted in the insulating layer of a thermally insulated solid base
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The controlled thermoblocks (1), (1Z), storage of surplus electrical energy in a thermal condition in the range from 300°C to 800°C as a long-lasting thermal energy storage system, made of a mixture containing admixtures of recyclable construction waste, equipped with a load-bearing heat-conducting metal structure (3), a cylindrical space for thermal connectors (8) and a cylindrical space for steam generation and heating. The assembly (45) consists of controlled thermoblocks (1), (1Z), using thermal connectors (8) loosely placed on top of each other to form a three-dimensional body, in at least two layers. The arrangement (46) of the assembly (45) with controlled thermoblocks (1) and base controlled thermoblocks (1Z) comprises an assembly (45) fitted with a steel expansion plate (19) placed on a layer (21) of loose metal balls (11) in a thermal insulation pit composed of an insulating mixture of waste materials. The thermoreactor contains the arrangement (46) of the assembly (45) with controlled thermoblocks (1), (1Z), arranged in the ground pit connected to a steam generator (43), with an electric generator (30) for the generation of electrical energy, and a source of electrical energy conducted in a thermal insulation layer (24 and 25).