A method is provided for inputting thermal energy into fluidic medium in a thermal energy production and storage process by at least one rotary apparatus comprising: a casing with at least one inlet and at least one exit, a rotor comprising at least one row of rotor blades arranged over a circumference of a rotor hub mounted onto a rotor shaft, and a plurality of stationary vanes arranged into an assembly at least upstream of the at least one row of rotor blades. In the method, an amount of thermal energy is imparted to a stream of fluidic medium directed along a flow path formed inside the casing between the inlet and the exit by virtue of a series of energy transformations occurring when said stream of fluidic medium passes through the stationary vanes and the rotor blades, respectively. The method further comprises: integration of said at least one rotary apparatus into a thermal energy production and storage facility configured to carry out thermal energy production and storage at temperatures essentially equal to or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius (° C.), and conducting an amount of input energy into the at least one rotary apparatus integrated into the thermal energy production and storage facility, the input energy comprises electrical energy. A rotary apparatus and related uses are further provided.

A method is provided for inputting thermal energy into fluidic medium in a process or processes related to production of hydrogen. The method comprises generating heated fluidic medium by at least one rotary apparatus comprising a casing with at least one inlet and at least one exit, a rotor comprising at least one row of rotor blades arranged over a circumference of a rotor hub mounted onto a rotor shaft, and a stator configured as an assembly of stationary vanes arranged at least upstream of the at least one row of rotor blades. In the method, an amount of thermal energy is imparted to a stream of fluidic medium directed along a flow path formed inside the rotary apparatus by virtue of series of energy transformations occurring when said stream of fluidic medium passes through stationary and rotating components of said rotary apparatus, respectively. The method further comprises integration of said at least one rotary apparatus into a heat-consuming process facility configured as a hydrogen production facility and further configured to carry out heat-consuming process or processes related to production of hydrogen at temperatures essentially equal to or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius (° C.), and conducting an amount of input energy into the at least one rotary apparatus integrated into the heat-consuming process facility, the input energy comprises electrical energy. Related method, arrangement and facility for hydrogen production are further provided.

A first system herein may include: (i) a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a generation mode to convert at least a portion of stored thermal energy into electricity, wherein the PHES system includes a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and (ii) a fluid path directing a first fluid through an intercooler and to a power generation plant, and wherein the working fluid path through the compressor system includes circulating the working fluid through, in sequence, at least a first compressor, the intercooler, and a second compressor, and wherein the intercooler thermally contacts the working fluid with the first fluid, transferring heat from the working fluid to the first fluid.

A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.

A thermal container for transporting hot fast food having a body that forms a main box which defines an internal space for the food, includes on the inside an internal receptacle for incorporating heat emitters and a double ventilation system for circulating air between the internal receptacle and the internal space, allowing the heat from the heat emitters to circulate towards the food, keeping it warm, and aeration towards the outside, avoiding steam condensation. The double ventilation system has internal air circulation slots in the internal receptacle and external ventilation slots and holes in the main box. The internal receptacle can be a separate box from the main box which fits over the inner base of the main box.

There is herein described energy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and/or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.

A system including: a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy, wherein the PHES system comprises a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and (ii) a fluid path directing a hot fluid from a heat source external to the PHES system through a reheater, wherein a portion of the working fluid path through the turbine system comprises circulating the working fluid through a first turbine, the reheater, and a second turbine, and wherein the working fluid thermally contacts the hot fluid in the reheater, thereby transferring heat from the hot fluid to the working fluid.

A system including: a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy, wherein the PHES system comprises a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and (ii) a fluid path directing a hot fluid from a heat source external to the PHES system through a reheater, wherein a portion of the working fluid path through the turbine system comprises circulating the working fluid through a first turbine, the reheater, and a second turbine, and wherein the working fluid thermally contacts the hot fluid in the reheater, thereby transferring heat from the hot fluid to the working fluid.

Thermal accumulator (1) comprising external walls (2) delimiting a closed storage space (3) that contains a PCM (4) and a heat exchanger (5) formed by a conduit for fluids having a section (12) inside said storage space (3). Two of said external walls (2) are facing one another and are connected between them by internal walls (10a) located inside the storage space (3) and arranged so that cells (11) containing the PCM (4) are formed in said storage space (3) by said internal walls (10a) and said external walls (2). The external walls (2) and the internal walls (10a, 10b) are flat copper sheets. The section of the heat exchanger (5) that goes inside the storage space (3) is joined to a face of one of said external walls (2) and internal walls (10a). The invention also relates to a refrigerated container for transporting goods comprising the thermal accumulator (1).

In order to improve the efficiency of solidification and melting of a heat storage material in a heat storage material unit, a heat storage material covered with a coating material is accommodated in a metal accommodating container having a high thermal conductivity, and the heat storage material unit is embedded in a thermal insulation panel in such a way that the accommodating container is exposed inside a merchandise accommodating compartment, thereby enabling a surface of the heat storage material that is embedded in the thermal insulation panel also to exhibit an action equivalent to that if the accommodating container is exposed in the merchandise accommodating compartment as a heat transfer element, thereby improving the efficiency of solidification (heat storage) and melting (heat dissipation) of the heat storage material.