HEAT STORAGE CONTAINER
A thermal energy storage container comprising a chamber defined by at least one sidewall, a first end plate and a second end plate, the chamber comprising: at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, a flow path for the transport of a heat transfer fluid, e.g. air, from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a support configured to support a receptacle within the flow path and enable direct contact between the heat transfer fluid, e.g. air, and a surface of the receptacle.
1 . A thermal energy storage container comprising a chamber defined by at least one sidewall, a first end plate and a second end plate, the chamber comprising: at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, a flow path for the transport of a heat transfer fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a support configured to support a receptacle within the flow path and enable direct contact between the heat transfer fluid and a surface of the receptacle, wherein the receptacle has composite phase change material (CPCM) located therein, the CPCM comprising structural material providing a supporting structure for shape stabilisation of the CPCM.
2 . The thermal energy storage container according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of supports configured to support a plurality of receptacles within the flow path and enable direct contact between the heat transfer fluid and a surface of each receptacle.
3 . The thermal energy storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is a gas, e.g. air.
4 . The thermal energy storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises one or more baffles defining a plurality of interconnected channels which are arranged in series to form the flow path and/or wherein the chamber comprises two baffles which are arranged perpendicular to one another, so as to divide the chamber into four channels.
5 . (canceled)
6 . (canceled)
7 . The thermal energy storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the or each support is configured to enable direct contact between the heat transfer fluid and at least 2, 3, 4 or 5 surfaces of the or each receptacle, when received in the chamber and/or to enable direct contact between the heat transfer fluid and at least 20% of the surface area of the or each receptacle, e.g. at least 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 or at least 95% of the surface area of the or each receptacle.
8 . (canceled)
9 . The thermal energy storage container according to claim 2 , wherein the supports are configured such that the receptacles, when received in the chamber, are arranged in a staggered configuration and are spaced apart from: each other, one or more of the sidewall(s), the first end plate and/or the second end plate of the chamber.
10 . The thermal energy storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the or each support comprises a bar.
11 . (canceled)
12 . The thermal energy storage container according claim 2 , wherein the supports are configured such that the receptacles, when present, are distributed substantially evenly within the flow path.
13 . The thermal energy storage container according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of the sidewall(s) of the chamber comprises a plurality of openings for receiving the or each receptacle therein.
14 . A receptacle for containing a material for thermal energy storage, the receptacle comprising a body, wherein a side or end portion of the body comprises a flange for securing the receptacle to a chamber, wherein the receptacle has composite phase change material (CPCM) located therein, the CPCM comprising structural material providing a supporting structure for shape stabilisation of the CPCM.
15 . The receptacle according to claim 14 , comprising a lid, wherein the lid is openable to allow access to the interior of the receptacle.
16 . The receptacle according to claim 14 , wherein the receptacle contains a graphite powder which coats at least a portion of an interior surface of the receptacle.
17 . (canceled)
18 . The receptacle according to claim 14 , wherein the composite phase change material comprises a phase change material, a structural material and a thermal conductivity enhancer material.
19 . The receptacle according to any of claim 18 , wherein the structural material is selected from: heavy magnesium oxide, light magnesium oxide, silica, alumina, vermiculite, diatomite or other suitable structural materials or combinations thereof and/or wherein the thermal conductivity enhancer material is an organic or an inorganic compound with high thermal conductivity and thermal stability in the operating temperature range, e.g. the thermal enhancer material is expanded graphite.
20 . (canceled)
21 . The receptacle according to claim 14 , wherein the CPCM is in the form of a module.
22 . The receptacle according to claim 21 , wherein the module is wrapped in a foil, e.g. stainless steel or aluminium foil, optionally wherein a surface of the foil is at least partially coated with graphite powder.
23 . A thermal energy storage system for storing, transporting and utilising renewable heat, waste heat or heat produced with off-peak electricity, the thermal energy storage system comprising a thermal energy storage container comprising a chamber defined by at least one sidewall, a first end plate and a second end plate, the chamber comprising: at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, a flow path for the transport of a heat transfer fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a support configured to support a receptacle within the flow path and enable direct contact between the heat transfer fluid and a surface of the receptacle, wherein the receptacle has composite phase change material (CPCM) located therein, the CPCM comprising structural material providing a supporting structure for shape stabilisation of the CPCM.
24 . (canceled)
25 . (canceled)
26 . (canceled)
27 . The thermal energy storage system according to claim 23 , further comprising one or more heat exchangers for charging and/or discharging heat transfer fluid, to and/or from the thermal energy storage container, in use.
28 . (canceled)
29 . (canceled)
30 . The thermal energy storage system according to claim 23 , further comprising one or more flowmeters and/or one or more thermocouples and/or one or more temperature and/or pressure controllers, and/or one or more pressure transducers, for monitoring and/or controlling the flow rate and/or temperature and/or pressure of the system and/or a blower and/or a high-temperature air blower.
31 . (canceled)
32 . (canceled)
33 . The thermal energy storage system according to claim 23 , further comprising a carrier for transporting the components of the thermal energy storage system or the components of a plurality of thermal energy storage systems.
34 . A method of charging a thermal energy storage system, the method comprising:
a) providing a thermal energy storage system according to claim 23 , wherein the chamber of the thermal energy storage container contains a receptacle or a plurality of receptacles, said receptacle or each of said plurality of receptacles comprising a body, wherein a side or end portion of the body comprises a flange for securing the receptacle to a chamber, wherein the receptacle has composite phase change material (CPCM) located therein, the CPCM comprising structural material providing a supporting structure for shape stabilisation of the CPCM, the receptacle having a thermal energy storage material located therein;
b) flowing a pre-heated heat transfer fluid through the fluid inlet of the chamber, along the flow path and out of the fluid outlet, such that heat transfer takes place from the heat transfer fluid to the receptacle(s), thereby charging the material therein.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is a gas, such as air, wherein the method further comprises heating the heat transfer fluid to obtain the pre-heated heat transfer fluid by a heat source selected from heat source site including an industrial waste heat (IWH) site, a renewable energy source site, or a heater, e.g. an electrical heater powered by off-peak/excess electricity.
36 . (canceled)
37 . (canceled)
38 . The method of claim 35 , the method further comprising transporting the heat transfer fluid from the fluid outlet back to the heat source and cooling the heat transfer fluid as it is transported from the fluid outlet to the heat source and/or transporting the thermal energy storage system to an end user site after charging the thermal energy storage material.
39 . (canceled)
40 . (canceled)
41 . (canceled)
42 . A method of discharging a thermal energy storage system, the method comprising:
a) providing a thermal energy storage system according to claim 23 , wherein the chamber of the thermal energy storage container contains a receptacle or a plurality of receptacles, said receptacle or each said plurality of receptacles comprising a body, wherein a side or end portion of the body comprises a flange for securing the receptacle to a chamber, wherein the receptacle has composite phase change material (CPCM) located therein, the CPCM comprising structural material providing a supporting structure for shape stabilisation of the CPCM, the receptacle having a charged thermal energy storage material located therein;
b) flowing a heat transfer fluid through the fluid inlet of the chamber, along the flow path and out of the fluid outlet, such that heat transfer takes place from the receptacle(s) to the heat transfer fluid, thereby discharging the material therein.
43 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising transporting the heated heat transfer fluid from the fluid outlet to an end user.
44 . (canceled)