Structural element for transitory storage and deferred use of thermal energy, related structure and methods

Abstract

Structural element ( 3;13 ) for a civil engineering structure, arranged for transitorily storing and using in a deferred manner thermal energy. The structural element is provided with: a first set ( 1;11 ) of at least one heat exchanger extending between a heat or coolness source (S) and the structural element so as to transfer thermal energy from the heat or coolness source to the structural element where it is transitorily stored; and a second set ( 2 a; 2 b; 12 a; 12 b ) of at least one heat exchanger extending between the structural element and at least one entity ( 5;15;17 ) external to the structural element, the second set of at least one heat exchanger being arranged for, when activated, transferring at least part of the thermal energy transitorily stored in the structural element to said entity.

1 . A structural element for a civil engineering structure, arranged for transitorily storing and using in a deferred manner thermal energy, the structural element having:
 a first set of at least one heat exchanger extending between a heat or coolness source and the structural element so as to transfer thermal energy from the heat or coolness source to the structural element where it is transitorily stored;   a second set of at least one heat exchanger extending between the structural element and at least one entity external to the structural element, the second set of at least one heat exchanger being arranged for, when activated, transferring at least part of the thermal energy transitorily stored in the structural element to said entity.   
     
     
         2 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of at least one heat exchanger comprises at least one tube arranged for conducting a heat transfer fluid in the heat or coolness source and at least one tube arranged for conducting a heat transfer fluid in the structural element, and wherein the second set of at least one heat exchanger comprises at least one tube arranged for conducting a heat transfer fluid in the structural element. 
     
     
         3 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first set of at least one heat exchanger and the second set of at least one heat exchanger have at least part of said at least one tube arranged for conducting a heat transfer fluid in the structural element in common. 
     
     
         4 . The structural element as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the heat or coolness source, the structural element and said at least one entity are separate elements. 
     
     
         5 . The structural element as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein
 said structural element comprises a thermal reservoir,   the first set of at least one heat exchanger is arranged for transferring thermal energy from the heat or coolness source into the thermal reservoir in the structural element,   the second set of at least one heat exchanger is arranged for transferring thermal energy between the thermal reservoir and the at least one entity.   
     
     
         6 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the thermal reservoir is filled at least in part with a material capable of storing or releasing thermal energy. 
     
     
         7 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the thermal reservoir comprises a porous material arranged to take at least in part the lateral and vertical pressure applied by the structure. 
     
     
         8 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein
 the first set of at least one heat exchanger comprises at least one tube arranged for conducting a heat transfer fluid from the heat or coolness source into the thermal reservoir, and   the second set of at least one heat exchanger comprises at least one tube arranged for conducting a heat transfer fluid from the thermal reservoir into the structural element.   
     
     
         9 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the first set of at least one heat exchanger and the thermal reservoir are arranged so as to have the heat transfer fluid circulate through the thermal reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the second set of at least one heat exchanger and the thermal reservoir are arranged so as to have the heat transfer fluid circulate through the thermal reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein
 the first set of at least one heat exchanger is arranged for conducting a first heat transfer fluid,   the second set of at least one heat exchanger is arranged for conducting a second heat transfer fluid,   the thermal reservoir comprises a third heat transfer fluid, and   wherein the first set of at least one heat exchanger and the thermal reservoir are arranged so as to have a heat transfer between the first heat transfer fluid and the third heat transfer fluid and the thermal reservoir and the second set of at least one heat exchanger are arranged so as to have a heat transfer between the third heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid.   
     
     
         12 . The structural element as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the heat or coolness source includes subsoil and/or an aquatic medium. 
     
     
         13 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat or coolness source is a heat source and includes a set of at least one solar probe. 
     
     
         14 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one entity includes another structural element for the civil engineering structure and/or air adjacent to the structural element. 
     
     
         15 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second set of at least one heat exchanger is arranged at least in part for conducting air throughout the structural element. 
     
     
         16 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second set of at least one heat exchanger makes use of at least one pump. 
     
     
         17 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second set of at least one heat exchanger makes use of at least one heat pump. 
     
     
         18 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the structural element is at least in part made of backfill. 
     
     
         19 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the backfill is stabilized using at least one reinforcement member within the structural element. 
     
     
         20 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein at least one reinforcement member is connected to a facing forming a boundary for the structural element. 
     
     
         21 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein at least one heat exchanger of the first and/or the second set of at least one heat exchanger is connected to the facing. 
     
     
         22 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the civil engineering structure comprises a stadium structure or a greenhouse. 
     
     
         23 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the structural element is arranged for supporting benches and/or a playing field in a stadium. 
     
     
         24 . A civil engineering structure comprising
 at least one structural element for transitorily storing and using in a deferred manner thermal energy, wherein the structural element comprises:   a first set of at least one heat exchanger extending between a heat or coolness source and the structural element so as to transfer thermal energy from the heat or coolness source to the structural element where it is transitorily stored;   a second set of at least one heat exchanger extending between the structural element and at least one entity external to the structural element, the second set of at least one heat exchanger being arranged for, when activated, transferring at least part of the thermal energy transitorily stored in the structural element to said entity.   
     
     
         25 . A method for transitorily storing and using in a deferred manner thermal energy in a structural element, the method comprising:
 maintaining active a first set of at least one heat exchanger extending between a heat or coolness source and the structural element so as to   transfer thermal energy from the heat or coolness source to the structural element where it is transitorily stored;   when a determined criterion is satisfied, activating a second set of at least one heat exchanger extending between the structural element and at least one entity external to the structural element, the second set of at least one heat exchanger being arranged for transferring at least part of the thermal energy transitorily stored in the structural element to said entity.   
     
     
         26 . A method for building a structural element for transitorily storing and using in a deferred manner thermal energy, the method comprising:
 providing a first set of at least one heat exchanger with a first end extending from a heat or coolness source;   building, in successive lifts, a structural element for it to cover a second end of each heat exchanger of said first set;   alternately with the building of the successive lifts of the structural element, placing a second set of at least one heat exchanger, so that a first end of each heat exchanger of said second set is surrounded by the structural element while a second end of each heat exchanger of said second set extends to at least one entity external to the structural element.   
     
     
         27 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the facing is separated from the backfill at least at one location with a thermal insulation material. 
     
     
         28 . The structural element as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the thermal insulation material comprises expanded polystyrene or mineral fibres. 
     
     
         29 . The civil engineering structure as claimed in  claim 24 , embodied as a stadium structure.