An accumulator tank for handling a heat transfer medium, may have a tank top section and a bottom section. The accumulator tank may be connected to at least one heat-emitting system and at least one heat-absorbing system. The accumulator tank may have a plurality of partition walls located inside the tank and arranged between the bottom section and the top section for the purpose of dividing the tank into a plurality of spaces. The systems may be connected to at least one respective space so that a temperature gradient is created between the bottom section and the top section. Also disclosed is a system for distributing and handling heat and/or cold, the accumulator tank.

Thermal storage systems that preferably do not create substantially any additional back pressure or create minimal additional back pressure and their applications in combined cycle power plants are disclosed. In one embodiment of the method for efficient response to load variations in a combined cycle power plant, the method includes providing, through a thermal storage tank, a flow path for fluid exiting a gas turbine, placing in the flow path a storage medium comprising high thermal conductivity heat resistance media, preferably particles, the particles being in contact with each other and defining voids between the particles in order to facilitate flow of the fluid in a predetermined direction constituting a longitudinal direction, arrangement of the particles constituting a packed bed, dimensions of the particles and of the packed bed being selected such that a resultant back pressure to the gas turbine is at most a predetermined back pressure.

A thermal storage vessel for containing a heat store fluid for receiving or delivering heat and at least one heat exchanger arranged inside the vessel are provided.

A system may include a turbine and a recuperative heat exchanger system. The recuperative heat exchanger system is configured to receive exhaust gases from the turbine. The recuperative heat exchanger system may include a precool section to cool the exhaust gases, a major heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases, and a minor heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases.

A thermal storage system includes a container, a thermal exchange device, a first thermal storage material, and a second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is disposed in the container. The first thermal storage material is disposed in the container and is spaced apart from the thermal exchange device. The second thermal storage material is also disposed in the container in contact with the thermal exchange device. The first and second thermal storage materials are immiscible. The second thermal storage material is less reactive with the construction material of the thermal exchange device as compared to the first thermal storage material. Optionally, a second thermal exchange device can be submerged in the second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is configured to supply heat to the second thermal storage material and the second thermal exchange device facilitates extraction of heat from the second thermal storage material.

A peritoneal dialysis (PD) system includes a PD fluid pump, a PD fluid heater positioned and arranged to heat fresh PD fluid pumped by the PD fluid pump, and a phase change material (PCM) device positioned and arranged to receive fresh PD fluid heated by the PD fluid heater. The PCM device includes a PCM having a melting temperature selected so that the PCM solidifies when underheated fresh PD fluid contacts the PCM transferring heat to the underheated fresh PD fluid. Alternatively or additionally, the PD system may include a different PCM device having a PCM with a melting temperature selected so that the PCM melts when overheated fresh PD fluid contacts the PCM thereby removing heat from the overheated fresh PD fluid. A configuration for the PCM device is also disclosed.

A peritoneal dialysis (PD) system includes a PD fluid pump, a PD fluid heater positioned and arranged to heat fresh PD fluid pumped by the PD fluid pump, and a phase change material (PCM) device positioned and arranged to receive fresh PD fluid heated by the PD fluid heater. The PCM device includes a PCM having a melting temperature selected so that the PCM melts when overheated fresh PD fluid contacts the PCM, removing heat from the overheated fresh PD fluid.