Vermont Patent of the Month – July 2024
Norwich Technologies, Inc. has developed an innovative thermal energy storage system designed to revolutionize how we store and utilize thermal energy. This system addresses critical challenges in renewable energy storage, particularly in conjunction with sources like concentrating solar power (CSP). At its core, the technology employs a sophisticated arrangement of vessels, each housing a specialized working fluid. These vessels are equipped with floating separator pistons that divide the fluid into hot and cold portions, optimizing energy retention and transfer efficiency.
Central to the design are two manifolds: one connected to the heat source and thermal load outputs, and another to the heat source and thermal load inputs. These manifolds facilitate fluid circulation and maintain thermal balance within the system. A precision controller monitors and adjusts the fluid’s temperature and movement, ensuring optimal operational conditions for energy storage and retrieval.
The system accommodates various heat sources, including CSP systems, geothermal setups, biomass, waste-to-energy, and industrial heat recovery units. It supports different working fluids like water, mixed additives, oil, refrigerants, and molten salts, each tailored to specific operational requirements. For instance, water-based systems maintain temperatures ranging from 200 to 360 degrees Celsius for hot fluid and 80 to 170 degrees Celsius for cold fluid, under pressures ideal for fluid stability and performance.
Structurally, vessels are positioned horizontally to maximize space efficiency and maintain slight angular orientations for effective fluid management. Constructed from insulated steel and assembled via welded sections, these vessels ensure durability and thermal stability under varying environmental conditions.
The technology further integrates pumps for fluid circulation, a thermal expansion system to manage volume changes, and advanced piston design featuring compressible materials for minimal thermal losses and enhanced operational reliability. The floating pistons maintain neutral buoyancy within the fluid, enhancing their efficiency in segregating hot and cold fluid phases without excessive energy consumption.
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