Buffer store

Abstract

The present invention relates to a buffer store comprising a closed vessel housing for accommodating a storage fluid, in particular water, wherein the vessel housing has at least one inlet opening, for the filling of the vessel housing with the storage fluid, and at least one equalization opening, which fluidically connects the vessel housing to the surroundings and permits a fluidic equalization with the surroundings. According to the invention, a gas-tight cover is also provided in the interior of the vessel housing, which cover is capable of reliably protecting the storage fluid against mixing with other fluids, for example the ambient air.

1 . A buffer store, comprising:
 a closed vessel housing to hold a storage fluid, especially water, wherein the vessel housing has at least one inlet opening for filling the vessel housing with the storage fluid, and at least one equalization opening, which connects the vessel housing fluidically to the surroundings and makes possible a fluidic equalization with the surroundings, as well as a gas-tight cover in the interior of the vessel housing, which is capable of reliably protecting the storage fluid against mixing with other fluids, such as the ambient air.   
     
     
         2 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the gas-tight cover is flexible at least for a portion.   
     
     
         3 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the gas-tight cover has a filmlike structure at least for a portion.   
     
     
         4 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas-tight cover has at least one compensation area, which can compensate for a change in volume of the storage fluid by expanding or contracting the gas-tight cover in the compensation area or the storage fluid can be raised or lowered. 
     
     
         5 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas-tight cover is firmly joined to the vessel housing in the area of its outer circumference, for example, being clamped, glued, welded or screwed on. 
     
     
         6 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas-tight cover is double-walled and/or multilayered at least for a portion. 
     
     
         7 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas-tight cover at least for a portion has a lower density than the storage fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas-tight cover is formed as a film which floats at least for a portion on the storage fluid, especially the water. 
     
     
         9 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 8 ,
 characterized in that   the film is secured in the vessel housing in such a way that the film can follow a change in volume of the storage fluid in the compensation area, in particular it can be raised and lowered by floating on the storage fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that   the compensation area is chosen such that, when the vessel is filled with storage fluid having a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, the nominal filling height in the vessel housing defines a lower end of the compensation area, while an upper end of the compensation area is defined by a fill level of the storage fluid in the vessel housing that is produced when the storage fluid is heated to a temperature of 95 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         11 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the compensation area is chosen such that volume changes of the storage fluid can be equalized up to 20% of the storage volume of the buffer store. 
     
     
         12 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the gas-tight cover is a film made of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer or comprises an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer. 
     
     
         13 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the film comprises a thickness of 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably 1 mm to 4 mm, especially preferably 1.5 to 3 mm and most especially preferably 2 mm+/−0.2 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The buffer store as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the vessel housing may have on its inner circumference a mounting rail, especially a clamping rail, for the gas-tight mounting of the gas-tight cover. 
     
     
         15 . A buffer store as in  claim 1  wherein the buffer store is adapted for operation with heating water as the storage fluid for a heating plant and includes at least one of
 a rubber boat for an easier maintenance; 
 a pump system; 
 a stirring system; 
 a vessel heating system; or 
 a connection system for connecting to further system components in proximity to the buffer store.