THERMAL STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal storage system for storing thermal energy, comprising a solid storage which comprises a plurality of storage blocks with their outer sides arranged relative to one another, wherein the storage blocks comprise at least one continuous opening arranged in the longitudinal direction and/or at least one recess formed in the longitudinal direction at their outer side, and are arranged relative to one another such that at least one channel comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening spaced apart from the inlet opening is formed by the recess and/or the continuous opening, a heat-carrying medium which is at least in portions in direct contact with the channel, a charging circuit comprising a first supply means connected to the inlet opening of the channel for supplying thermally charged heat-carrying medium and a first draining means connected to the outlet opening and/or a discharge circuit comprising a second draining means connected to the inlet opening of the channel for draining the thermally charged heat-carrying medium, and a second supply means connected to the outlet opening for compensating the drained heat-carrying medium.

Claims

1. Thermal storage system for storing thermal energy, comprising a storage comprising a plurality of storage blocks with their outer sides arranged relative to each other, wherein the storage blocks comprise at least one continuous opening disposed in the longitudinal direction and/or at least one recess disposed in the longitudinal direction, and are arranged relative to each other so that at least one channel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening spaced apart from the inlet opening is formed by the recess and/or the continuous opening; a heat-carrying medium which is in direct contact at least in portions with the channel; a charging circuit comprising a first supply means connected to the inlet opening of the channel for supplying thermally charged heat-carrying medium and a first draining means connected to the outlet opening to compensate for the supplied heat-carrying medium; and/or a discharge circuit comprising a second draining means connected to the inlet port of the channel for draining the thermally charged heat-carrying medium, and a second supply means connected to the outlet opening to compensate for the drained heat-carrying medium, wherein the storage blocks are made of fly ash and/or blast furnace slag.

2. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage blocks comprise a first end face and a second end face arranged in the longitudinal direction of a storage block and spaced apart from the first end face, the outer sides are formed between the first end face and the second end face parallel to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first outer side is formed parallel to and spaced apart from the second outer side and the third outer side is formed parallel to and spaced apart from the fourth outer side.

3. Thermal storage system according to claim 2, wherein the recess is formed in a corner region between the first outer side and the third outer side and/or in a corner region between the first outer side and the fourth outer side and/or in the second outer side.

4. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage blocks comprise first connection elements at the first end face and/or first connection receptacles corresponding to the first connection elements at the second end face.

5. Thermal storage system according to claim 4, wherein the first connection elements are dovetail connections and the first connection receptacles are corresponding tines.

6. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage blocks comprise second connection elements at the first outer side and/or second connection receptacles corresponding to the second connection elements at the second outer side.

7. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage blocks are arranged relative to each other so that the channel is formed meandering.

8. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein a valve device is disposed upstream of the inlet opening and/or the outlet opening.

9. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage blocks comprise first and/or second connection elements which are embedded in the storage blocks at the inlet opening and at the outlet opening and which are formed form-fittingly with the channel and extend this channel outside of the storage blocks in order to connect the form-fitting contact with the heat-carrying medium and the first and/or second connection element of the next storage block.

10. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second connection elements are made of a temperature-resistant steel, which has been previously processed by form-giving methods, and/or wherein a connection between first and/or second connection elements of two storage blocks which are in mutually contact is configured as a welded and/or screw connection.

11. Thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein protruding first and/or second connection elements are sheathed with sleeves, which fit form-fittingly between adjacent storage blocks (14) around the first and/or second connection elements in order to store additional energy and to insulate the first and/or second connection elements.

12. Thermal storage system according to claim 11, wherein the sleeves are configured to supplement an outer shape of the storage blocks such that a continuous shaping over a plurality of storage blocks (14) and first and/or second connection elements is obtained.

13. Use of a thermal storage system according to claim 1 for storing thermal energy.

14. Method of storing thermal energy, comprising the steps of: providing a thermal storage system according to claim 1, wherein for thermal charging of the storage blocks via the charging circuit: thermally heated heat-carrying medium is supplied via the inlet opening to the channel; and thermally discharged heat-carrying medium is drained via the outlet opening from the channel; and for thermal discharging the storage blocks via the discharge circuit: thermally charged heat-carrying medium is drained via the inlet opening; and thermally discharged heat-carrying medium is supplied via the outlet opening to the channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings based on preferred exemplary embodiments by way of example, wherein the features shown below, both individually and in any combination, can represent an aspect of the invention. In the drawings:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a thermal storage system according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a view of a storage block according to a first preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a view of a plurality of storage blocks arranged offset from one another according to the first preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0045] FIG. 4 is a view of a storage block according to a second preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the thermal storage system 10 for storing thermal energy. The thermal storage system 10 comprises a solid storage 12 with a plurality of storage blocks 14 disposed with their outer sides relative to each other. A detailed view of the storage blocks is given in FIGS. 2 to 4. The storage blocks 14 comprise a longitudinally extending continuous opening 16 and/or at least one longitudinally formed recess 18 on their outside and are arranged relative to one another such that a channel 20 comprising an inlet opening 22 and an outlet opening 24 formed spaced apart from the inlet opening 22 is formed by the recess 18 and/or the continuous opening 16. Furthermore, a second channel 26 different from the first channel 20 and comprising a second inlet opening 28 and a second outlet opening 30 disposed spaced apart from the second inlet opening 28 is formed by the storage blocks 14. In this way, a piping-free solid storage 12 is provided, whereby material and manufacturing costs of the thermal storage system 10 can be reduced.

[0047] The thermal storage system 10 also comprises a charging circuit 32 for thermally charging the solid storage 12 and a discharge circuit 34 for thermally discharging the solid storage 12.

[0048] The charging circuit 32 comprises a first supply means 36 for thermally charging the solid storage 12 by supplying a thermally charged heat-carrying medium and a first draining means 38 for compensating the supplied heat-carrying medium.

[0049] The first supply means 36 is connected via a first valve device 40 to the inlet opening 22 of the channel 20 and to the second inlet opening 28 of the second channel 26. At one end of the first supply means 36 which is facing away from the inlet opening 22 the first supply means 36 is connected to a solar power plant 42. In this way, a heat-carrying medium thermally charged by the solar power plant 42 can be supplied by the first supply means 36 via the inlet opening 22 to the channel 20 and via the second inlet opening 28 to the second channel 26 and thus to the solid storage 12 for thermally charging the storage blocks 14.

[0050] The first draining means 38 is connected to the outlet opening 24 of the channel 20 and to the second outlet opening 30 of the second channel 26 via a second valve device 44. The first draining means 38 is connected to the solar power plant 42 at one end of the first draining means 38 which faces away from the outlet opening. In this way, in order to compensate for the supplied thermally charged heat-carrying medium, thermally discharged heat-carrying medium can be drained from the solid storage 12 via the outlet opening 24 and the second outlet opening 30 and supplied to the solar power plant 42 for renewed thermal charging.

[0051] The discharge circuit 34 comprises a second draining means 46 for thermally discharging the solid storage 12 and a second supply means 48 for compensating the drained thermally charged heat-carrying medium.

[0052] The second draining means 46 is connected at one end via the first valve device 40 to the inlet opening 22 of the channel 20 and the second inlet opening 28 of the second channel 26 for draining the thermally charged heat-carrying medium from the solid storage 12. At one end of the second draining means 46 which faces away from the second inlet opening 28 the second draining means 46 is connected to a power plant 50 for generating electricity. In this way, the thermally charged heat-carrying medium can be supplied from the solid storage 12 to the power plant 50 for generating electricity.

[0053] The second supply means 48 is connected via the second valve device 44 to the outlet opening 24 of the channel 20 and to the second outlet opening 30 of the second channel 26. At one end of the second supply means which faces away from the second outlet opening 30 the second supply means 48 is connected to the power plant 50. In this way, in order to compensate for the thermally charged heat-carrying medium supplied to the power plant 50, thermally discharged heat-carrying medium can be supplied to the solid storage 12 via the outlet port 24 and the second outlet port 30 for renewed thermal charge.

[0054] Thus, a piping-free solid storage is provided, which can be thermally charged and thermally discharged in a simple manner. Due to the fact that the solid storage is configured piping-free, the manufacturing costs of the thermal storage system can be reduced. In addition, the heat-carrying medium is in direct contact with the storage blocks, so that heat transfer losses can be reduced.

[0055] The first valve device 40 and the second valve device 44 are each configured as a 4/2-way valve.

[0056] The thermal charging and the thermal discharge of the solid storage 12 are carried out periodically. In this way, the channel 20 and the second channel 26 can be used for thermal charging of the solid storage 12 and for thermal discharge, whereby the number of channels 20, 26 in the solid storage 12 can be reduced and the structural integrity of the solid storage 12 can be increased.

[0057] The plurality of storage blocks 14 are arranged so that the channel 20 and the second channel 26 extend in a meandering form. In this way, the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the channel 20 as well as the second inlet opening 28 and the second outlet opening 30 of the second channel 26 can be formed on one side of the solid storage 12, so that they can be easily connected via the corresponding supply means 36, 48 and draining means 38, 46. The side of the solid storage 12 comprising the inlet opening 22, 28 and the outlet opening 24, 30 is fixedly mounted or has a fixed bearing 51. The part of the solid storage 12, which comprises the channels 20, 26, is slidably mounted or has a sliding bearing 53. Thermally induced changes in length of the solid storage 12 are not hindered by the sliding bearing 53. In this way, the charging circuit 32 and/or the discharge circuit 34 can be decoupled from the thermally induced changes in length of the solid storage 12. Thus, manufacturing costs of the thermal storage system 10 can be reduced.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a storage block 14 known from FIG. 1, wherein the solid storage 12 shown in FIG. 1 is formed from a plurality of storage blocks 14. The storage block 14 has a cuboid shape and comprises a first end face 52 and a second end face 56 arranged spaced apart from the first end face 52 in the longitudinal direction 54 of a storage block 14. The outer sides 58 are formed between the first end face 52 and the second end face 56 parallel to the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage block 14. The first outer side 60 is arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the second outer side 62. The third outer side 64 is parallel to and spaced apart from the fourth outer side 66.

[0059] In a corner region between the first outer side 60 and the third outer side 64, as well as in a corner region between the first outer side 60 and the fourth outer side 66 a respective recess 18 is formed in the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage block 14 as a rectilinear groove, which has a quarter-circular profile in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage block 14. At the second outer side 62, the recess 18 is formed in the form of a rectilinear groove which has a semicircular profile in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage block 14.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a plurality of the storage blocks 14 known from FIG. 2, which are arranged offset from each other. A first storage block 14 adjoins with its fourth outer side 66 at least in sections to the third outer side 64 of a second storage block 14. A third storage block 14 is arranged at least in sections with its first outer side 60 at the second outer side 62 of the first storage block 14 and the second outer side 62 of the second storage block 14. The semicircular recess 18 formed at the second outer side 62 of the second storage block 14 and the recess 18 formed in the corner region of the first outer side 60 and fourth outer side 66 of the third storage block 14 are arranged parallel to each other. In this way, by the arrangement of a further fourth storage block (not shown), which at least in sections adjoins to the fourth outer side 66 of the third storage block 14 and to the second outer side 62 of the second storage block 14, a channel 20 or a channel portion is formed.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the storage block 14, wherein the storage block 14 comprises an opening 16 which extends continuous from the first end face 52 to the second end face 56. The opening 16 need not necessarily extend from the first end face 52 to the second end face 56, but may also preferably open from the first end face 52 or the second end face 56 into one of the four outer sides.

[0062] The storage block 14 comprises first connection elements 74 formed as a dovetail connection 72 at the first end face 52, and first connection receptacles 78 corresponding to the first connection elements 74 and formed as tines 76 at the second end face 56. Thus, preferably, a tension-proof connection directed in the longitudinal direction of the channel 20 shown in FIG. 1 can be provided between the storage blocks 14.

[0063] Starting from the second outer side 62 in the direction of the first outer side 60, the dovetail connection 72 and the tines 76 extend tapering. In this way, the insertion of the dovetail connection 72 into the corresponding tines 76 for connecting the storage blocks 14 together can be simplified, whereby time and costs in the production of the solid storage 12 can be reduced.

[0064] At the second outer side 62 the storage block 14 comprises second connection elements 80 in the form of a plurality of projections formed cuboid in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the second outer side 62. At the first outer side 60 second connection receptacles 82 corresponding to the second connection elements 80 are arranged. The second connection receptacles 82 are preferably recesses aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first outer side 60 and corresponding to the projections of the second outer side 62. In this way, the first outer side 60 of a first storage block 14 can be connected in a simple way in a form-fitting manner to the second outer side 62 of a second storage block 14.

[0065] The exemplary embodiments described are merely examples which can be modified and/or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a particular exemplary embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features in any other exemplary embodiment. Each feature described for an exemplary embodiment of a particular category may also be used equivalently in an exemplary embodiment of another category.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0066] 10 thermal storage system [0067] 12 solid storage [0068] 14 storage block [0069] 16 continuous opening [0070] 18 recess [0071] 20 channel [0072] 22 inlet opening [0073] 24 outlet opening [0074] 26 second channel [0075] 28 second inlet opening [0076] 30 second outlet opening [0077] 32 charging circuit [0078] 34 discharge circuit [0079] 36 first supply means [0080] 38 first draining means [0081] 40 first valve device [0082] 42 solar power plant [0083] 44 second valve device [0084] 46 second draining means [0085] 48 second supply means [0086] 50 power plant [0087] 51 fixed bearing [0088] 52 first end face [0089] 53 sliding bearing [0090] 54 longitudinal direction of storage block [0091] 55 second end face [0092] 58 outer sides [0093] 60 first outer side [0094] 62 second outer side [0095] 64 third outer side [0096] 66 fourth outer side [0097] 72 dovetail connection [0098] 74 first connection element [0099] 76 tines [0100] 78 first connection receptacles [0101] 80 second connection elements [0102] 82 second connection receptacles