PCSM-Based Energy Storage Devices and Methods

Abstract

Devices and methods for using phase-change-materials to store and retrieve energy. Specifically, the invention discloses various containment devices that may be used to enclose a mass of phase-change-material. The disclosure describes ways it which these devices may be manufactured and ways in which they may be used. The storage devices preferably create an enclosed volume that eliminates any mixing between the phase-change material and any surrounding material such as thermal oil. Further, the invention minimizes the inclusion of unwanted materials such as air.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
         1 . A thermal energy storage battery comprising:
 a. a housing;   b. a plurality of elongated vessels within said housing, each including,
 i. a pressure-tight containment completely enclosing an enclosed volume, 
 ii. a phase-change thermal storage medium substantially filling said enclosed volume; 
   c. said plurality of elongated vessels being fixed in position within said housing;   d. said housing being flooded with a thermal oil;   e. a plurality of baffles located within said housing, said plurality of baffles being configured to force a serpentine flow path for said thermal oil within said housing;   f. a thermal energy input configured to selectively allow the input of thermal energy to said thermal oil within said housing; and   g. a thermal energy output configured to selectively allow the extraction of thermal energy from said thermal oil within said housing.   
     
     
         2 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. each of said elongated vessels includes a cylindrical side wall; and   b. said elongated vessels are oriented so that said cylindrical side walls are vertical.   
     
     
         3 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. said thermal energy input is an input pipe for adding said thermal oil to said housing; and   b. said thermal energy output is an output pipe for removing said thermal oil from said housing.   
     
     
         4 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said thermal energy input is a heat exchanger located in said housing, said heat exchanger configured to circulate a working fluid separate from said thermal oil in said housing. 
     
     
         5 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said thermal energy input is a resistance heating bank. 
     
     
         6 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said thermal energy output is an evaporator located at least partly within said housing, said evaporator configured to circulate a working fluid separate from said thermal oil in said housing. 
     
     
         7 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said heat exchanger is a gas flue. 
     
     
         8 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said phase-change thermal storage medium is sodium chloride. 
     
     
         9 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said thermal oil is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil and synthetic oil. 
     
     
         10 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 1  wherein said working fluid separate from said thermal oil in said housing is steam. 
     
     
         11 . A thermal energy storage battery comprising:
 a. a housing;   b. a plurality of vessels within said housing, each including,
 i. a pressure-tight containment completely enclosing an enclosed volume, 
 ii. a phase-change thermal storage medium substantially filling said enclosed volume; 
   c. said plurality of vessels being fixed in position within said housing;   d. said housing being flooded with a thermal oil;   e. a plurality of baffles located within said housing, said plurality of baffles being configured to force a serpentine flow path for said thermal oil within said housing;   f. a thermal energy input configured to selectively allow the input of thermal energy to said thermal oil within said housing; and   g. a thermal energy output configured to selectively allow the extraction of thermal energy from said thermal oil within said housing.   
     
     
         12 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 11 , wherein:
 a. each of said vessels includes a cylindrical side wall; and   b. said vessels are oriented so that said cylindrical side walls are vertical.   
     
     
         13 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 11 , wherein:
 a. said thermal energy input is an input pipe for adding said thermal oil to said housing; and   b. said thermal energy output is an output pipe for removing said thermal oil from said housing.   
     
     
         14 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said thermal energy input is a heat exchanger located in said housing, said heat exchanger configured to circulate a working fluid separate from said thermal oil in said housing. 
     
     
         15 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said thermal energy input is a resistance heating bank. 
     
     
         16 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said thermal energy output is an evaporator located at least partly within said housing, said evaporator configured to circulate a working fluid separate from said thermal oil in said housing. 
     
     
         17 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said heat exchanger is a gas flue. 
     
     
         18 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said phase-change thermal storage medium is sodium chloride. 
     
     
         19 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said thermal oil is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil and synthetic oil. 
     
     
         20 . A thermal energy storage battery as recited in  claim 11  wherein said working fluid separate from said thermal oil in said housing is steam.