Installation for storing thermal energy

Abstract

An installation for storing thermal energy which can be obtained, for example, at times of overcapacities, from regenerative energy and then be stored is provided. The energy stored in a heat accumulator, a cold accumulator and in an additional heat accumulator can be, when needed, reconverted into electrical energy by circuits via a generator (G) while using a compressor and a turbine. The working gas is humidified by a humidification column, ideally until saturation, whereby, advantageously, a greater mass flow can be obtained at a lower volume flow. For this reason, more economical components can be used while simultaneously a high yield of the installation is achieved.

1 . An installation for storing thermal energy, comprising:
 a circuit for a working gas, wherein, in the circuit, the following units are connected to one another in the stated sequence by a line for the working gas:   a cold accumulator,   a first thermal fluid energy machine,   a heat accumulator and   a second thermal fluid energy machine,   wherein, as viewed in a throughflow direction of the working gas from the cold accumulator to the heat accumulator, the first thermal fluid energy machine is positioned as work machine and the second thermal fluid energy machine is positioned as prime mover,   wherein a humidification unit for the working gas is provided in the line between the first thermal fluid energy machine and the heat accumulator.   
     
     
         2 . The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a water separator is arranged in the line downstream of the second thermal fluid energy machine. 
     
     
         3 . The installation as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the water separator is connected to the humidification unit via a feed line. 
     
     
         4 . The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the line leading away from the second thermal fluid energy machine leads through a heat exchanger situated in the humidification unit. 
     
     
         5 . The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an auxiliary heat accumulator is provided in a branch line, wherein the branch line that leads away from the auxiliary heat accumulator leads through a heat exchanger situated in the humidification unit. 
     
     
         6 . The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a heat exchanger is provided in the line downstream of the second thermal fluid energy machine, with water for the humidification unit being fed as coolant to said heat exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . The installation as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heat accumulator is connected between a third thermal fluid energy machine and a fourth thermal fluid energy machine by a second line,   wherein, as viewed in the throughflow direction of the working gas from the third thermal fluid energy machine to the fourth thermal fluid energy machine, the third thermal fluid energy machine is positioned as a work machine and the fourth thermal fluid energy machine is positioned as a prime mover.   
     
     
         8 . The installation as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the cold accumulator is connected downstream of the fourth fluid energy machine as viewed in the throughflow direction as per  claim 7  by the second line. 
     
     
         9 . The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an auxiliary heat accumulator is connected between a fifth thermal fluid energy machine and a sixth thermal fluid energy machine by an auxiliary line,
 wherein, as viewed in the throughflow direction of the working gas from the fifth thermal fluid energy machine to the sixth thermal fluid energy machine, the fifth thermal fluid energy machine is positioned as a work machine and the sixth thermal fluid energy machine is positioned as a prime mover.   
     
     
         10 . The installation as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first thermal fluid energy machine and the second thermal fluid energy machine are, by bypass lines, connected such that the heat accumulator is situated upstream of the cold accumulator in the throughflow direction of a working fluid.