Radial particle-based terrestrial thermocline for high temperature thermal storage
| DWPI Title: Radial particle-based terrestrial thermocline for facilitating high temperature thermal energy storage, has engineered intermediate layer comprising intermediate layer material comprising material different than first and second permeable filler materials |
| Abstract: A system or method for thermal storage includes a recess or containment unit having a first storage layer and a second storage layer comprising a permeable filler material. An intermediate layer is disposed between the storage layers. A primary well traverses the layer in the recess. The primary well is in thermal communication with the first permeable filler material and the second permeable filler material. A heat source is provided for heating an inlet fluid. An input pump is in fluid communication with the primary well and the heat source. The primary well receives heated inlet fluid from the inlet pump and injects the fluid into the second layers. The heated inlet fluid transfers heat to the respective permeable filler material radially from the primary well toward an outer periphery of the thermocline recess. |
| Use: Radial particle-based terrestrial thermocline for facilitating high temperature thermal energy storage. |
| Advantage: The thermal energy storage system provided better temperature and flow control in a bed of porous materials, where layers or zones of different particle comprise sizes, materials and compositions. The system is excavated in a terrestrial, subsurface pit or recess, so that the system can be adapted from the existing mine or pit. The thermocline ensures use of auxiliary wells to inject or withdraw heat at lower temperature than the primary well, so that injected heat can be deployed for regenerating cooler portions of the storage system, when heat being withdrawn preheats the injected heat from the primary well or the auxiliary wells. The low-permeability top insulated layer mitigates water infiltration, air flow and heat loss through the top surface. |
| Novelty: The thermocline (10) has a thermocline recess comprising a first storage layer comprising a first permeable filler material i.e. sintered bauxite having a first permeability and a first thermal conductivity. A second storage layer comprises a second permeable filler material having a second permeability and a second thermal conductivity. An engineered intermediate layer (18) is formed between the first storage layer and the second storage layer. A primary well (20) is inserted into the thermocline vertically traversing the first storage layer, the intermediate layer and the second storage layer. The engineered intermediate layer comprises an intermediate layer material comprising a material different than the first and second permeable filler materials and having permeability less than the first permeability and the second permeability. Auxiliary well (22) is inserted vertically within the thermocline. |
| Filed: 9/17/2020 |
| Application Number: US17023550A |
| Tech ID: SD 15304.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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