Transportable Heat Pipe Thermal Battery for Microreactor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The commercial-scale deployment of high-temperature thermal energy storage systems is hindered by the difficulty in interfacing them with other systems, particularly when combining with advanced nuclear energy systems, requiring complex mechanisms and posing safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe integrated thermal battery (HITB) system that includes a storage tank with a thermal storage medium and transportable heat pipes within guide tubes, allowing for flexible and robust integration with external thermal systems without the need for additional heat exchangers or pumps, reducing safety concerns and enabling scalable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex interfacing mechanisms are used to connect thermal energy storage systems with external thermal systems, then the integration capability is improved, but the device complexity and safety issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is integrated directly into the storage tank, merging the heat transfer function with the thermal storage function. This eliminates the need for separate heat exchangers and complex interfacing mechanisms, while maintaining effective thermal connection between the storage medium and external thermal systems
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat exchanger for thermal energy transfer, a thermal conductor for heat distribution within the storage medium, and a safety component by providing passive heat transfer without requiring external power or control systems
2Productivity
If additional heat exchangers and pumps are used for thermal energy storage and retrieval, then the thermal energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe combines the functions of heat exchanger and thermal conductor into a single integrated component. The storage medium itself serves as the heat transfer fluid, eliminating the need for separate pumps and heat exchangers while maintaining efficient thermal energy transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe operates passively using phase change of the working fluid inside the heat pipe to drive heat transfer. The system uses the temperature difference between the external thermal system and the storage medium to automatically drive the charging and discharging cycles without requiring external power or active control
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 HITB system facilitates efficient and cost-effective thermal energy storage and retrieval, eliminating the need for complex interfacing and reducing safety risks, while allowing for flexible operation and easy scaling up to multiple modules.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe configured to be movable within the guide tube. The heat pipe may be configured to discharge heat to and absorb heat from the thermal storage medium within the storage tank
Implementation Method 2
The thermal energy storage system may include a feed and drain tank comprising a heating element operable to melt a thermal storage medium to a molten state
Implementation Method 3
The storage tank may be operable to hold the thermal storage medium such that latent heat of the thermal storage medium may be stored in the HITB
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pipe integrated thermal battery (“HITB”) is provided that may include a storage tank, a thermal storage medium within the storage tank, a guide tube extending within the storage tank and through at least one end of the storage tank, and a heat pipe configured to be movable within the guide tube. The heat pipe may be configured to discharge heat to and absorb heat from the thermal storage medium within the storage tank.