In some embodiments, a thermal energy storage system includes multiple thermal energy storage containers adapted to store thermal energy storage media, the containers having high emissivity inner surfaces that are adapted to radiate heat into the stored thermal energy storage media.

A pumped heat energy storage system is provided. The pumped heat energy storage system may include a charging assembly configured to compress a working fluid and generate thermal energy. The pumped heat energy storage system may also include a thermal storage assembly operably coupled with the charging assembly and configured to store the thermal energy generated from the charging assembly. The pumped heat energy storage system may further include a discharging assembly operably coupled with the thermal storage assembly and configured to extract the thermal energy from the thermal storage assembly and convert the thermal energy to electrical energy.

The invention relates to a container (200) for a heat storage and restitution system, comprising a vessel in which a gas is circulating in order to be cooled or heated. The vessel is limited by a first jacket formed from concrete (203) surrounded by a thermally insulating layer (206), which is itself surrounded by a steel shell (204). The vessel comprises at least two modules (210), each comprising a double wall formed from concrete and a perforated base (205) limiting at least two volumes (217 and 216) which are each capable of containing a fixed bed of particles of a material for storage and restitution of heat (207). The modules are disposed one above the other in a centered manner such that the double wall formed from concrete forms the first jacket formed from concrete (203) and a second jacket formed from concrete (215).

A method, system, and apparatus for the thermal storage of nuclear reactor generated energy including diverting a selected portion of energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system to an auxiliary thermal reservoir and, responsive to a shutdown event, supplying a portion of the diverted selected portion of energy to an energy conversion system of the nuclear reactor system.

In one aspect, thermal energy storage systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a thermal energy storage system comprises a thermal energy storage system comprising a container and a heat exchange apparatus disposed within the container. The heat exchange apparatus comprises a tank, a manifold at least partially disposed within the tank, and a phase change material disposed within the tank and in thermal contact with the manifold.

The invention aims to provide a heat-storage material which can prevent supercooling. The heat-storage material according to the invention includes: a heat-storage substance which reversibly changes between an aqueous solution containing tetraalkylammonium salt and a clathrate hydrate containing the tetraalkylammonium salt as a guest molecule; and alum which is added to the aqueous solution containing tetraalkylammonium salt. Tetrabutylammonium bromide is used as the tetraalkylammonium salt. Potassium alum or ammonium alum is used as the alum.

A closed channel rotary regenerative air preheater includes element supporting baskets that have first heat transfer elements having first arches arranged in an alternating order with second heat transfer elements having second arches. Each of the first arches has a first apex and a concave segment extending therefrom and each of the second arches has a second apex and a convex segment extending therefrom. Each of the convex segments is nested in a respective one of the concave segments thereby defining a contact line therebetween which extends an entire length of the first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element. Adjacent pairs of the contact lines define a closed passageway therebetween and between the first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element for heat transfer fluid flow therethrough.

A heat accumulator for storing thermal energy may include a container having a horizontally extending longitudinal axis, and a thermal storage material. The container may have a first opening for inflow and/or outflow of a fluid, a second opening offset vertically opposite the first opening, and at least one fluid-impermeable plate which is inclined against an inflow and/or an outflow direction of the fluid.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an encapsulated phase change material (PCM) heat sink is provided. The encapsulated PCM heat sink includes a lower shell, an upper shell, an encapsulated phase change material, and an internal matrix. The internal matrix includes a space that is configured to receive the encapsulated phase change material. Thermal energy is transferrable between the encapsulated phase change material and at least one of the lower shell and the upper shell. For a particular embodiment, the upper shell is coupled to the lower shell at room temperature and room pressure.

Heat exchange apparatus (24, 80) includes first heat transfer tubes (50), contained within an enclosure (43) and coupled to receive a first fluid heated by an energy source (22, 36). Second heat transfer tubes (52) are interleaved with the first heat transfer tubes within the enclosure so as to heat a second fluid contained in the second heat transfer tubes by transfer of heat from the first fluid, and are coupled to output the heated second fluid to drive target equipment (30). A heat storage medium (48) fills the enclosure.