Liquid metal thermal storage system and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for storing thermal energy from working fluid heated by a high-temperature heat source and retrieving the thermal energy. The heated working fluid is in thermal communication with heat exchanger elements that can efficiently store thermal energy by, for example, phase change in one or more metal alloys.

1 . A system for storing and retrieving thermal energy from a fluid heated by a high temperature source comprising:
 a chamber containing heat exchanger elements, wherein the heated fluid is passed through the chamber containing the heat exchanger elements, which heat exchanger elements are in thermal communication with one or more metal alloys that melt at a specific temperature between about 577° C. and 1414° C. to store thermal energy; and   wherein a fluid to be heated is passed through said chamber where the one or more metal alloys give up the thermal energy stored.   
     
     
         2 . A system for storing and retrieving thermal energy from a fluid heated by a high temperature source comprising:
 a first chamber containing one or more metal alloys that melt at a specific temperature between about 577° C. and 1414° C. to store thermal energy;   a second chamber that is adapted to accept a fluid that is heated by the high temperature source, said second chamber in thermal communication with the first chamber; and   a third chamber this is adapted to accept a fluid that is to be heated by the first chamber, said third chamber in thermal communication with the first chamber.   
     
     
         3 . A method using the system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . A power generation plant that uses the system of  claim 1  as a source of energy. 
     
     
         5 . A power generation plant that uses the system of  claim 1  as an alternative source of energy when a primary source of energy is unavailable. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger elements have a plurality of compartments with each compartment having one or more metal alloys that melt at a different specific temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said first chamber has a plurality of compartments, with each compartment having one or more metal alloys that melt at a different specific temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heat exchanger elements have a plurality of compartments, with each successive compartment having a higher specific temperature at which the one or more metal alloys melt. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the first chamber has a plurality of compartments, with each successive compartment having a higher specific temperature at which the metal alloys melt. 
     
     
         10 . A method using the system of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         11 . A power generation plant that uses the system of  claim 2  as a source of energy. 
     
     
         12 . A power generation plant that uses the system of  claim 2  as an alternative source of energy when a primary source of energy is unavailable.