Systems and methods of thermal energy storage and release

Abstract

Thermal energy storage systems and devices comprise at least one storage vessel, at least one heat transfer ramp adjacent to the at least one storage vessel, and at least one heat transfer fluid channel adjacent to the heat transfer ramp. Heat exchange occurs between a heat transfer medium traveling down the heat transfer ramp and a heat transfer fluid traveling through the heat transfer channel. The heat transfer ramp may be angled with respect to the storage vessel such that the heat transfer medium travels down the heat transfer ramp assisted by force of gravity.

1 . A system of thermal energy storage and release, comprising:
 at least one storage vessel;   at least one heat transfer ramp adjacent to the at least one storage vessel; and   at least one heat transfer fluid channel adjacent to the heat transfer ramp such that heat exchange occurs between a heat transfer medium traveling down the heat transfer ramp and a heat transfer fluid traveling through the heat transfer channel;   wherein the heat transfer ramp is angled with respect to the storage vessel such that the heat transfer medium travels down the heat transfer ramp assisted by force of gravity.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer medium is a granular material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one heat transfer ramp comprises at least two ramps in a substantially parallel layered configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the at least one heat transfer fluid channel is disposed between the two ramps. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one heat transfer ramp defines at least one slot. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one heat transfer channel is coupled to one or more of: a side surface of the heat transfer ramp, a top surface of the heat transfer ramp, or a bottom surface of the heat transfer ramp. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one heat transfer ramp comprises at least two ramps in a cascading configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein energy is stored as heat gathered by, or discharged to, a concentrating solar thermal power plant. 
     
     
         9 . A combined heat exchange and conveyance system, comprising:
 a bundled heat transfer assembly including at least two stacked heat transfer ramps and at least one heat transfer fluid channel adjacent to the at least two stacked heat transfer ramps;   wherein a heat transfer medium is conveyed through the heat transfer ramps such that the heat transfer medium travels down the heat transfer ramps assisted by force of gravity and a heat transfer fluid is conveyed through the at least one heat transfer fluid channel such that heat exchange occurs in the bundled heat transfer assembly between the heat transfer medium and the heat transfer fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the heat transfer medium is a granular material. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the heat transfer ramps define at least one slot such that the heat transfer medium falls through the at least one slot in a first heat transfer ramp to a second heat transfer ramp below the first heat transfer ramp. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one heat transfer fluid channel is disposed between the two stacked heat transfer ramps. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one heat transfer channel is coupled to a bottom surface of one or more of the heat transfer ramps. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one heat transfer channel is coupled to a side surface of one or more of the heat transfer ramps. 
     
     
         15 . A thermal heat transfer device, comprising:
 a combined heat exchanger and conveyor including at least one heat transfer ramp and at least one heat transfer fluid channel adjacent to the heat transfer ramp;   wherein a granular material is conveyed through the at least one heat transfer ramp such that the granular material travels down the heat transfer ramp assisted by force of gravity and a heat transfer fluid is conveyed through the at least one heat transfer fluid channel such that heat exchange occurs between the granular material and the heat transfer fluid.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the granular material is sand. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the heat transfer channel is angled relative to the at least one heat transfer ramp. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the at least one heat transfer ramp comprises at least two ramps in a substantially parallel layered configuration and the at least one heat transfer fluid channel is disposed between the two ramps. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the ramps define at least one slot such that the heat transfer medium falls through the at least one slot in a first ramp to a second ramp below the first ramp. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the at least one heat transfer channel is coupled to one or more of: a bottom surface of one or more of the heat transfer ramps, a top surface of one or more of the heat transfer ramps, or a side surface of one more of the heat transfer ramps.