HEAT STORAGE DEVICE, HEAT STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEAT STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

A heat storage device, a heat storage system comprising at least one heat storage device, and a method for operating a heat storage device.

Claims

1. A heat storage device comprising a storage container for storing heat, the storage container having at least two openings, at least one heating element and heat storing means being disposed in the storage container, and the heat storage device having a support matrix for supporting the heating element, wherein the heat storage device comprises a first gas distribution chamber disposed upstream of the heating element and a second gas distribution chamber disposed downstream of the storing means in a heat introduction direction, wherein a flow homogenizer is disposed on either side of the heating element or on either side of multiple layers of heating elements and/or between these layers.

2. The heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein, for introducing heat into the storage container, the heat storage device is configured to transport a gas into the storage container via at least one first opening, the heating element is configured to heat the transported gas, the storing means, which are disposed downstream of the heating element, are configured to store the heat of the heated gas, and the heat storage device is configured to transport the gas that has transferred the heat to the storing means out of the storage container via at least one second opening.

3. The heat storage device according to claim 2, wherein, for withdrawing heat from the storage container, the heat storage device is configured to transport a gas into the storage container via the at least one second opening, the storing means are configured to transfer the stored heat to the gas and heat the gas, and the heat storage device is configured to transport the heated gas that has passed the storing means out of the storage container via the at least one first opening.

4. (canceled)

5. The heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein spaces between at least two adjacent heating elements are hermetically sealed.

6. (canceled)

7. The heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein at least two layers of heating elements are stacked on top of each other.

8. The heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element comprises an electrically conductive metallic or ceramic honeycomb structure through which the gas is able to flow.

9. The heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein the heating elements are disposed in a line or extend in a meandering or helical shape.

10. The heat storage device according to claim 1, wherein the heating elements are connected in series and/or in parallel.

11. A heat storage system comprising at least one heat storage device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat storage device is connected to a heat consumer.

12. The heat storage system according to claim 11, the heat storage system having a pipeline system comprising at least one throttle member and/or at least one fan.

13. A method for operating a heat storage device according to claim 1, the method comprising the following sequential steps for introducing heat into the storage container: transporting gas into the storage container through the first opening, heating the transported gas by means of the heating element, storing the heat of the heated gas by means of the storing means, and transporting the gas that has transferred the heat to the storing means out of the storage container through the second opening.

14. The method for operating a heat storage device according to claim 13, the method comprising the following sequential steps for withdrawing heat from the storage container: transporting gas into the storage container through the second opening, transferring the heat from the storing means to the transported gas, and transporting the gas that has transferred the heat to the storing means out of the storage container through the second opening.

Description

[0055] Hereinafter, the disclosure is discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic section through an embodiment of the device according to the disclosure;

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a detail A of FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a heating device according to FIG. 1;

[0059] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the heating device of FIG. 1;

[0060] FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of the heating device of FIG. 1;

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a detail A of FIG. 4;

[0062] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a heat storage system according to the disclosure in charging mode;

[0063] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 7 in discharging mode; and

[0064] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the heat storage system.

[0065] In FIG. 1, a heat storage device 1 comprising a storage container 2 for storing heat is shown, storage container 2 having at least two openings 3, 13. A plurality of heating elements 7 and heat storing means 11 are disposed in storage container 2. Heat storing means 11 are stacked molded bricks which serve to store heat or absorb heat in the first instance.

[0066] A first gas distribution chamber 4 is disposed downstream of a first opening 3 in a transport direction of the gas. Gas distribution chamber 4 serves to homogenize the inflowing gas. Gas distribution chamber 4 is followed by a first flow homogenizer 5. First flow homogenizer 5 additionally serves to homogenize the gas. Heating elements 7 are disposed downstream of first flow homogenizer 5. Heating elements 7 are part of a heating device 6.

[0067] A support matrix 9 is provided for supporting heating elements 7, as shown in detail in FIG. 2. For supplying heating element 7 with electricity, heating device 6 additionally has an electrical power supply 8 including lines. A second flow homogenizer 10 is connected downstream of support matrix 9 and heating elements 7. Both first flow homogenizer 5 and second flow homogenizer 10 are optional.

[0068] Second flow homogenizer 10 is followed by heat storing means 11. As mentioned above, heat storing means 11 are molded bricks, which are stacked at an offset. A support 12 is provided between a second gas distribution chamber 14 and molded bricks 11. A second opening 13 is disposed downstream of second gas distribution chamber 14.

[0069] Spaces between two adjacent heating elements 7 are hermetically sealed. Heat-resistant and electrically insulating materials can be used as materials for the hermetic seal. Heating elements 7 can be connected in series or in parallel.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, heating elements 7 are disposed at the surface of the storage device. Heating elements 7 can be disposed in different shapes. FIG. 3 shows a circuitry in which four rows of heating elements 7 are connected in parallel. According to FIG. 4, heating elements 7 are connected in series one behind the other, heating elements 7 extending in a meandering shape. According to FIG. 5, heating elements 7 are connected in series one behind the other, heating elements 7 extending in a helical shape.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a top view of a heating element 7 of FIG. 4 with electrical connections 25, 26. Heating element 7 has a rectangular cross section with a honeycomb structure or a honeycomb body 30 with hexagonal channels. The gas or the gas flow flows through honeycomb structure 30 of heating element 7 perpendicularly with respect to the drawing plane, i.e., into or out of the drawing plane. In other words, the gas flows through the honeycomb structure or the channels of the honeycomb structure in the longitudinal direction. The presence of the honeycomb structure 30 results in an enlarged overall cross section on which the flow can act, a large surface for transferring heat, and a straight channel shape with low flow resistance. Alternatively, other shapes are conceivable for the honeycomb body 30, such as a circle, an oval, a rectangle or a polygon. Other shapes are also conceivable for the honeycomb channels, such as a square, a circle, a hexagon or a wavy shape comparable in particular to corrugated cardboard.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a heat storage system 15 comprising a heat storage device 1 according to FIG. 1. Heat storage system 15 has a heat consumer 16 in addition to heat storage device 1. Heat consumer 16 is connected to heat storage device 1 via a pipeline system.

[0073] Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows a circuit 17. First circuit 17 serves to charge heat storage device 1. Charging means introducing heat into storage container 2. Arrows P1 illustrate the flow direction of the gas in circuit 17. Circuit 17, which comprises pipelines, has to throttle members 23, 21. Throttle members 23, 21 can be used to influence the flow speed of the gas flow.

[0074] Heat storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) is configured to transport a gas into storage container 2 via first opening 3. Heating element 7 is configured to heat the transported gas. Storing means 11, which are disposed downstream of heating element 7, are configured to store the heat of the heated gas. Furthermore, heat storage device 1 is configured to transport the gas that has transferred the heat to storing means 11 and has consequently cooled back out of storage container 2 via second opening 13.

[0075] Contrary to FIG. 7, FIG. 8 shows a discharging of the heat storage device. In FIG. 8, a second circuit 18 is shown. Second circuit 18, which comprises pipelines, serves to discharge heat storage device 1. Discharging means withdrawing heat from storage container 2. Arrows P2 illustrate the flow direction of the gas in circuit 18. Circuit 18 has two throttle members 22, 20. Throttle members 22, 20 can be used to influence the flow speed of the gas flow.

[0076] Heat storage device 1 (see FIG. 1) is configured to transport a gas into storage container 2 via second opening 13. Storing means 11 are configured to transfer the stored heat to the gas and heat it. Furthermore, heat storage device 1 is configured to transport the heated gas that has passed storing means 11 back out of storage container 2 in the direction of consumer 16 via the at least one first opening 3.

[0077] Moreover, heat storage system 15 has a pipeline 19, which comprises a fan 24.

[0078] FIG. 9 shows another heat storage system 15. Unlike in the case of heat storage system 15 according to FIGS. 7 and 8, other heat storage devices 1 in addition to the one heat storage device 1 are present in heat storage system 15, only one of these multiple other heat storage devices 1 being shown for reasons of clarity.

[0079] The presence of heat storage device 1 or of heat storage system 15 as described above allows excess electrical energy from highly fluctuating regenerative sources or connected power grids, for example, to be efficiently stored in the form of heat at a high temperature level so as to thereby stabilize the power grid.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0080] 1 heat storage device

[0081] 2 storage container

[0082] 3 first opening

[0083] 4 first gas distribution chamber

[0084] 5 first flow homogenizer

[0085] 6 heating device

[0086] 7 heating element

[0087] 8 power supply

[0088] 9 support matrix

[0089] 10 second flow homogenizer

[0090] 11 heat storing means

[0091] 12 support

[0092] 13 second opening

[0093] 14 second gas distribution chamber

[0094] 15 heat storage system

[0095] 16 heat consumer

[0096] 17 circuit

[0097] 18 circuit

[0098] 19 pipeline

[0099] 20 throttle member

[0100] 21 throttle member

[0101] 22 throttle member

[0102] 23 throttle member

[0103] 24 fan

[0104] 25 connection

[0105] 26 connection

[0106] 30 honeycomb structure (honeycomb body)

[0107] P1 arrow (flow direction)

[0108] P2 arrow (flow direction)