CHARGING SYSTEM WITH A HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL ENERGY EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING HEAT STORAGE MATERIAL OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL ENERGY EXCHANGE SYSTEM WITH THERMAL ENERGY

Abstract

A charging system with a least one high temperature thermal energy exchange system is provided. The high temperature thermal energy exchange system includes at least one heat exchange chamber with chamber boundaries which surround at least one chamber interior of the heat exchange chamber, wherein the chamber boundaries include at least one inlet opening for guiding in an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the chamber interior and at least one outlet opening for guiding out an outflow of the heat transfer fluid out of the chamber interior. At least one heat storage material is arranged in the heat exchange chamber interior such that a heat exchange flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior causes a heat exchange between the heat storage material and the heat transfer fluid.

Claims

1. A charging system with a least one high temperature thermal energy exchange system, comprising: at least one heat exchange chamber with chamber boundaries that surround at least one chamber interior of the at least one heat exchange chamber, wherein—the chamber boundaries comprise at least one inlet opening for guiding in an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the at least one chamber interior and at least one outlet opening for guiding out an outflow of the at least one heat transfer fluid out of the at least one chamber interior; at least one heat storage material is arranged in the at least one heat exchange chamber interior such that a heat exchange flow of the at least one heat transfer fluid through the at least one heat exchange chamber interior causes a heat exchange between the at least one heat storage material and the at least one heat transfer fluid; and at least one charging unit for heating the at least one heat transfer fluid of the inflow.

2. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one charging unit is arranged at the at least one inlet opening.

3. The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one control unit for controlling the at least one charging unit, wherein the at least one control unit of the at least one charging unit is arranged outside the inflow of the at least one heat transfer fluid.

4. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one charging unit comprises a charging surface which is arranged in the inflow.

5. The charging system according to claim 4, wherein the charging surface is formed by a grid.

6. The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising a means for removing particles from the inflow.

7. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein heat exchange channels are embedded in the at least one heat storage material for guiding of the heat exchange flow through the at least one heat exchange chamber interior.

8. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the high temperature thermal energy exchange system is equipped with at least one flow adjusting element for adjusting the heat exchange flow of the at least one heat transfer fluid through the at least one heat exchange chamber interior, the inflow of the at least one heat transfer fluid into the at least one heat exchange chamber interior and/or the outflow of the at least one heat transfer fluid out of the at least one heat exchange chamber interior.

9. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flow adjusting element comprises at least one active fluid motion device which is selected from the group consisting of: a blower, a fan and a pump and/or the at least one flow adjusting element comprises at least one passive fluid control device which is selected from the group consisting of: an activatable bypass pipe, a nozzle, a flap and a valve.

10. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat exchange chamber is a vertical heat exchange chamber and/or a horizontal heat exchange chamber.

11. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the chamber boundary with one of the openings comprises a transition area with a tapering profile such that an opening diameter of the openings aligns to a first tapering profile diameter of the tapering profile and a chamber diameter of the at least one heat exchange chamber aligns to a second tapering profile diameter of the tapering profile.

12. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein at least two inlet openings are arranged vertically to each other and/or at least two outlet openings are arranged vertically to each other.

13. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat storage material comprises at least one chemically and/or physically stable material.

14. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat storage material comprises sand and/or stones.

15. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat transfer fluid comprises a gas at ambient gas pressure.

16. The charging system according to claim 15, wherein the gas at the ambient pressure is air.

17. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one charging unit comprises at least one electrical heating device which is selected from the group consisting of: a resistance heater, an inductive heater, an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and a heat pump.

18. The charging system according to claim 1, which is equipped with at least one measuring device for determining a charge status of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system.

19. A power plant according to claim 1, wherein a closed loop is implemented and wherein the inflow comprises the outflow.

20. A method for charging the high temperature thermal energy exchange system of the charging system according to claim 1 with thermal energy, wherein in a charging mode of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system a heat exchange flow of the at least one heat transfer fluid is guided through the at least one charging unit and then through the at least one heat exchange chamber interior, whereby a charging of the at least one heat storage material with thermal energy is caused.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein an operating temperature of the operating mode is selected from the range between 300° C. and 1000° C.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0079] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a high temperature thermal energy exchange system;

[0081] FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of a vertical heat exchange chamber in a discharging mode;

[0082] FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of the vertical heat exchange chamber of FIG. 2A in a charging mode;

[0083] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a horizontal heat exchange chamber;

[0084] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a horizontal heat exchange chamber;

[0085] FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a vertical heat exchange chamber;

[0086] FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of a vertical heat exchange chamber;

[0087] FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of a high temperature thermal energy exchange system with different thermal insulations of the heat exchange chamber;

[0088] FIG. 6B shows another embodiment of a high temperature thermal energy exchange system with different thermal insulations of the heat exchange chamber;

[0089] FIG. 6C shows another embodiment of a high temperature thermal energy exchange system with different thermal insulations of the heat exchange chamber;

[0090] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a complete charging system with a high temperature thermal energy exchange system;

[0091] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a charging system;

[0092] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a charging system;

[0093] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a charging system;

[0094] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a charging system;

[0095] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a charging system; and

[0096] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a charging system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] Given is a charging system 1000 with a least one high temperature thermal energy exchange system 1 with a heat exchange chamber 11 on a high temperature level, which will be charged and discharged with thermal energy via a heat transfer fluid 13 which is then stored in the heat storage material 121.

[0098] The high temperature thermal energy exchange system 1 comprises a heat exchange chamber 11 on a high temperature level, which will be charged and discharged with thermal energy via a heat transfer fluid 13 and stored in the heat storage material 121.

[0099] The temperature level of the stored heat is significantly higher compared to methods applied so far to increase the efficiency. The temperature level lies between 300° C. and 800° C., preferably between 550° C. and 650° C. The thermal capacity of the high temperature heat exchange system lies in the range between 0.3 GWh and 100 GWh, which causes a thermal power of 50 MW.

[0100] The high temperature thermal energy exchange system 1 comprises at least one heat exchange chamber 11 with chamber boundaries 111 which surround at least one heat exchange chamber interior 112 of the heat exchange chamber 11. The heat exchange chamber is a horizontal heat exchange chamber 114.

[0101] The chamber boundaries 111 comprise at least one inlet opening 1111 for guiding in an inflow 132 of at least one heat transfer fluid 131 into the heat exchange chamber interior 112 and at least one outlet opening 1112 for guiding an outflow 133 of the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchange chamber interior 112. At least one heat storage material 121 is arranged in the heat exchange chamber interior 112 such that a heat exchange flow 13 of the heat transfer fluid 131 through the heat exchange chamber interior 112 causes a heat exchange between the heat storage material 121 and the heat transfer fluid 131.

[0102] The heat exchange chamber is at least partly integrated in the earth. An alternative embodiment of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system comprises a completely integrated heat exchange chamber.

[0103] The charging system is equipped with at least one charging unit 200 for heating the heat transfer fluid 13 of the inflow 132.

[0104] The high temperature thermal energy exchange system 1 is equipped with a number of measuring devices 1500 for determining a charge status of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system 1. These measuring devices are distributed mainly in the heat exchange chamber 11.

[0105] The heat exchange chamber 11 is thermally insulated against the surrounding. There is a thermal insulation unit 300.

[0106] Different thermal insulation possibilities (thermal insulation stacks) are shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. Concerning FIG. 6A the insulation unit 300 comprises a first insulation cover sheet (layer) 301. This first insulation cover sheet comprises gas concrete, for instance Ytong®. Alternatively this first insulation cover sheet comprises bricks, clay, ceramics, clinker, concrete, plaster, fiber reinforced plaster, and/or metal.

[0107] The next insulation layer 302 comprises mineral wool and/or rock wool. Alternatively this insulation layer 302 comprises foamed clay or glass concrete. Mixtures of these materials are possible, too.

[0108] A third insulation layer 303 completes the insulation unit: This third insulation layer 303 has the function of a supporting structure and comprises gas concrete (for instance Ytong® or clay), clinker, concrete, plaster, fiber reinforced plaster and/or metal.

[0109] Alternatively, the first insulation layer 301 is omitted (FIG. 6B).

[0110] In a further alternative solution the thermal insulation unit 300 comprises an additional intermediate insulation cover layer 304 (FIG. 6C). This additional cover layer comprises gas concrete, clay or ceramics and has the function of an additional supporting structure.

[0111] Exemplarily, the length 118 of the horizontal heat exchange chamber 11 is about 200 m, the height 119 of the heat exchange chamber 11 is about 10 m and the width of the heat exchange chamber 11 is about 50 m.

[0112] Alternatively, a vertical heat exchange chamber 113 is used (FIGS. 2A and 2B). For instance, the height 120 of this vertical heat exchange chamber 113 is about 40 m, a width 119 about 20 m and a length of about 40 m.

[0113] Alternatively, cylindrically shaped heat exchange chambers 113 are used.

[0114] The proposed high temperature thermal energy exchange system will store energy on a high temperature level, which can be used during discharging to produce steam in a water steam cycle for reconversion into electrical energy. Therefore, one or several heat exchange chambers filled with solid heat storage material are used. The solid heat storage material could be bulk storages material with sand, stones or gravels, rubbles, splits, clinkers, ceramics, slag and other bulk materials, for example basalt or iron silicate slag.

[0115] The solid materials can be used alone or can be mixed with other heat storage materials (e.g. due to limited availability of materials, in order to improve the flow behavior of the heat exchange flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior or in order to improve the heat exchange between the heat storage material and the heat transfer fluid) for the use in the high temperature thermal energy exchange system. Different particle sizes or mixture of different particle sizes (improving flow behavior and energy density) can be used, too. As a result, the filling of the heat exchange chamber with heat storage material can be homogenous or inhomogeneous.

[0116] This solid bulk material is heated up and stores the thermal energy over a long time period. The shape and the arrangement of one or several heat exchange chambers with the heat storage material are according to the usage and the integration in a certain system. The shape of the base area of the heat exchange chamber depends on whether the heat exchange chamber(s) will be built vertically (no negative effect of natural convection) or horizontally (simple construction and incident flow, adaption to local conditions) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B. The cross section of the heat exchange chamber will be a trapezoid, if the heat exchange chamber is horizontal).

[0117] In both cases (horizontal heat exchange chamber and vertical heat exchange chamber), there is a transition area 116 of the heat exchange chamber 11 with a tapering profile 1161. Thereby an opening diameter 1113 of the opening 1111 or 1112 aligns to a first tapering profile diameter 1162 of the tapering profile and a chamber diameter 117 of the heat exchange chamber 11 aligns to a second tapering profile diameter 1163 of the tapering profile (see FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 5A or 5b). The inflow 132 of the heat transfer fluid 13 is guided into the heat exchange chamber interior 112. The guided inflow is distributed to a wide area of heat storage material 121. By this measure a capacity of the heat exchange unit (heat storage material 121 which is located in the heat exchange chamber 11) can be utilized in an advantageous manner.

[0118] The transition area 116 is short. The transition area 116 comprises dimension 1162 which is less than 50% of a heat exchange chamber length 118 of the heat exchange chamber 11. The short transition area 116 projects into the heat exchange chamber 11. The result is a short transition channel for the guiding of the inflow 132 into the heat exchange chamber interior 112 of the heat exchange chamber 11.

[0119] In order to adapt the heat exchange flow 13 the high temperature thermal energy exchange system comprises a flow adjusting element 134. This flow adjusting element 134 is a blower

[0120] Furthermore the heat exchange chamber 11 can comprise one or several inlet openings 1111 and outlet openings 1112 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0121] The high temperature thermal energy exchange system 1 is additionally equipped with at least one flow adjusting element 134. The flow adjusting element is an active fluid motion device (1341) like a blower or a pump. Such a device enables a transportation of the heat transfer fluid 131 through the heat exchange chamber interior 111 of the heat exchange chamber 11. The blower or the pump can be installed upstream or downstream of to the heat exchange chamber 11.

[0122] In addition, at least one passive fluid control 1342 device like a valve is located upstream or downstream of the heat exchange chamber 11.

[0123] For the charging mode the downstream installation (installation of the adjusting device at the cold end of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system) is advantageous: Relatively cold heat transfer fluid passes the flow adjusting device after releasing of heat to the heat storage material. In contrast to that, in a discharging mode the upstream installation of the flow adjusting device is advantageous: Relatively cold heat transfer fluid passes the flow adjusting element before absorbing heat from the heat storage material. For both modes, the flow adjusting element is located at the same position.

[0124] In case of vertical heat exchange chambers the inlet openings and outlet openings can be installed at the top and bottom (decreasing and avoiding natural convection). Horizontal heat exchange chambers can have inlet openings and outlet openings on top and bottom (decreasing natural convection) or sideways (simple and inexpensive construction and simple incident flow).

[0125] The heat transfer fluid 131 enters the heat exchange chamber 11 through a diffuser 1164. The diffuser 1164 comprises stones 1165 and is arranged at the transition area 116 of the heat exchange chamber 11.

[0126] Furthermore the heat transfer fluid 131 can be liquid or gaseous, which also can be organic or inorganic.

[0127] In order to guide the heat transfer fluid 131 shutters and/or valves (passive fluid control devices) are used.

[0128] FIG. 2A shows a vertical heat exchange chamber 113 in a discharging mode. The discharging mode direction 136 is oriented upwards.

[0129] FIG. 2B shows the vertical heat exchange chamber 113 of FIG. 2A in a charging mode. The charging mode direction 135 is directed downwards.

[0130] FIG. 3 shows a horizontal heat exchange chamber 114. Thereby two inlet openings 1111 are arranged above each other as well as two outlet openings 1112. These openings 1111 and 1112 are arranged at individual transition areas 1166 of the heat exchange chamber 11. At least every individual transition area 1166 of the inlet openings comprises a tapering profile. By means of the individual transition areas 1166, diffusers 1164 with stones 1165 are formed. For that, the transition areas are filled with stones up to a third. Again: Measuring devices 1500 for determining a charge status of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system are distributed in the heat exchange chamber 11.

[0131] Depending on the usage and the demands, the capacity of the high temperature heat exchange system can easily be adapted (heat storage material, dimensions of the heat exchange chamber, etc.). For instance, to increase the capacity of high temperature heat exchange system the high temperature heat exchange system is equipped with several heat exchange chambers as shown in FIG. 4.

[0132] Thereby the heat exchange chambers can be arranged in parallel, serially, in line, on top of each other and/or as single one. FIG. 4 show such an embodiment with a parallel arrangement: Three heat exchange chambers 11 form together a common storage unit of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 7, the complete charging system 1000 for a high temperature thermal energy exchange system 1 comprises one or several electrical heating devices 201 (charging units 200), one or several machines to circulate the working fluid such as blowers 211 or pumps 1341 and one or several heat exchange chambers 11. The electrical heating devices 200 can be resistance heater 201, inductive heater or others. These devices are connected by a pipe or ducting system 1001. The high temperature thermal energy exchange system shown in FIG. 7 comprises a closed loop 1005. The control unit 202 for controlling the charging unit 201 is arranged outside the inflow of the heat transfer fluid.

[0134] For the charging mode, the heat transfer fluid 131 is heated up from ambient conditions by the electrical heater 201.

[0135] Alternatively, the heating (partial heating or complete heating) of the heat transfer fluid is carried out with the aid of waste heat e.g. from industrial or power plant processes or from geothermal sources with or without an electrical heating device.

[0136] This charged heat transfer fluid is guided into the heat exchange chamber interior 112 of the heat exchange chamber 11 for charging the heat storage material. Thereby the heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the heat storage material takes place. With reference 2000 the temperature front at a certain time of this charging process is shown.

[0137] The machine to circulate the heat transfer fluid 131 is preferably installed upstream or alternatively downstream of the electrical heating device or downstream of heat exchange chamber. Several heat exchange chambers 11 are combined for varying charge and discharge duration (not shown). Alternatively, just one heat exchange chamber 11 is used in order to cover the required storage capacity.

[0138] For the discharging mode the high temperature thermal energy exchange system comprises one or several heat exchange chambers 11 mentioned above, an active fluid motion control device 1341 to circulate the heat transfer fluid 131 and a thermal machine for re-electrification, which can be a water/steam cycle 1003. The working fluid of this cycle is water and steam. The water/steam cycle 1003 has the function of a discharging unit 400. With the aid of the heat exchange system (heat exchanger) 1002 thermal energy of the heat transfer fluid is transferred to the working fluid of the steam cycle 1002.

[0139] The different components of the high temperature heat exchange system 1 are connected with a pipe or ducting system 1001. The flow adjusting element guides the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system, thermal energy is transferred from the heat storage material 121 to the heat transfer fluid 131 and is transported to the thermal machines or further applications e.g. district heating, preheating of the discharge cycle, heating of different components of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system etc. If the thermal machine is a water steam cycle, a steam generator, a heat exchanger or an evaporator, which consist of one or several units, the thermal energy is transferred to water to generate steam which is fed to a thermal engine to produce electrical power as shown in FIG. 7. If the working fluid downstream of this thermal machine still contains thermal energy at a temperature level higher than ambient, this energy can be stored in the same heat exchange chamber or in another heat exchange chamber.

[0140] The complete system with all components in charge and discharge cycle for the high temperature thermal energy exchange system is shown in FIG. 7.

[0141] In an energy system with high penetration of renewable energy the profitability of fossil fueled thermal power plants suffers from low operation hours. This can lead to a complete shutdown of such plants for economic reasons.

[0142] The units of the charging system are connected by a pipe or ducting system as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore the heat transfer fluid is heated up from ambient conditions, is pre- or completely heated up with waste heat e.g. from industrial or power plant processes or from geothermal sources with or without an electrical heating device as shown in FIG. 12. The machine to circulate the fluid is preferably installed upstream of the electrical heating device or alternatively downstream of the electrical heating device or downstream of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system, see FIGS. 10 and 11. Several high temperature thermal energy exchange systems with several heat exchange chambers are combined for varying charge and discharge duration. Alternatively one storage unit is solely used to cover the required storage capacity.

[0143] Furthermore the described charging system for the high temperature thermal energy exchange system can also be used in a closed charging cycle (closed loop). The heat transfer fluid that leaves the heat exchange chamber will be guided back into the electrical heating device (charging unit), so contamination of the heat transfer fluid for instance from particles in the ambient air and vice versa is avoided.

[0144] In addition thermal losses are reduced when fluid at a temperature higher than ambient temperature leaves the heat exchange chamber at the cold end. The heat transfer fluid 131 will be heated up in every cycle and does not need to be heated up from ambient conditions as shown in FIG. 13.

[0145] The charging cycle can comprise a particle filter or other means to remove particles from the heat transfer fluid. This serves the purpose of efficient heat transfer, avoid cloaking and possible fires.

[0146] The electrical heating device can be resistive or inductive heating, can have a power rating above 20 MW or above 100 MW, a temperature above 500° C., can be designed in one or several modules or in bulk. The heating coils could be either directly surrounded by the fluid or in heating cartridges.

[0147] The high temperature thermal energy exchange system comprises a heat exchange chamber with bulk material, which also can be a stone bed filled with solid material e.g. sand, gravel, rubble, split, clinker, slag etc., which can be basalt or slag.

[0148] The discharge cycle comprises one or several heat exchange chambers mentioned above, a flow machine to circulate the heat transfer fluid and a thermal machine for re-electrification, which can be a water steam cycle. The components are connected with a pipe or ducting system. The flow machine guides the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber, thermal energy is transferred from the heat storage material to the heat transfer fluid and transported to the thermal machine or further applications e.g. district heating etc. If the thermal machine is a water steam cycle, a steam generator, a heat exchanger or an evaporator, which consists of one or several units, transfer the thermal energy to water to generate steam which is fed to a thermal engine, such as a steam turbine with an electric generator coupled thereto, to produce electrical power as shown in FIG. 13. If the working fluid downstream of this thermal machine still contains thermal energy at a temperature level higher than ambient temperature, this energy can be stored in another high temperature thermal energy exchange system, which can comprise one or several heat exchange chambers with heat storage material. The remaining thermal energy can alternatively be used for other purposes such as district heating etc. In a closed discharge cycle, the exhausted gas which leaves the thermal machine will preferably be redirected into the heat exchange system 1002 again as shown in FIG. 12.

[0149] Following additional remarks:

[0150] FIG. 8 describes a system for providing thermal energy for the charging cycle of the high temperature thermal energy exchange system with the aid of a heat pump 203. With the aid of heat exchangers 210 and blowers 211 thermal energy is transported to the heat exchanger 2300. Via the heat exchanger 2300 heat is provided for heating the heat transfer fluid.

[0151] Looking at FIGS. 9 and 10, an electrical heating device 201 as charging unit 200 is used. In FIG. 9 the blower 1341 is located upstream of the electrical heater 200, whereas in FIG. 10 the blower is located downstream of the electrical heater. In both cases, the heated heat transfer fluid 131 is guided to the heat exchange chamber 11.

[0152] The example concerning FIGS. 9 and 10 refer to open loops. In contrast to that, FIG. 11 refers to a closed loop solution. In this exemplary embodiment the blower 1341 is located downstream of the heat exchange chamber 11. In addition, the heat transfer fluid 131 which passed the heat exchange chamber 11 is guided back to the electrical heater 200.

[0153] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0154] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of ‘a’ or ‘an’ throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and ‘comprising’ does not exclude other steps or elements.