High density thermal storage arrangement

A thermal energy storage arrangement comprising a graphite core heated by electrical resistance heaters with heat being removed from said graphite core by a gas flow extraction arrangement;

• said graphite core comprising a series of column graphite modules with each graphite module having a series of elongate graphite column blocks arranged in a side by side cluster configuration with each graphite module including as part of the gas flow extraction arrangement a first series of gas circulating passages through said graphite module defined within said cluster configuration between adjacent graphite column blocks and a second series of gas circulating passages on an outer surface of said cluster configuration of said graphite blocks and connect to said gas flow extraction arrangement;
• each graphite module including a top ceramic manifold and a bottom ceramic manifold that respectively cover and cooperate with a top and bottom end of said series of graphite blocks of said graphite column module;
• each module having an oxygen free non-reactive gas controlled to circulate through the module and extract heat stored in said series of graphite blocks;
• and wherein a top end of each elongate graphite column block includes a central passage extending in a length of the graphite block with one of said electrical resistance heaters being located therein with an end of the electrical heater extending through said top manifold;
• and
• wherein said graphite column blocks of each graphite module engage and cooperate with at least one adjacent graphite column block to collectively define said first series of gas circulating passages extending through said graphite core;
• and wherein said first series of gas circulation passages are defined by opposed partial channels between exterior surfaces of adjacent abutting graphite column blocks;
• wherein each graphite module includes a cooperating graphite fabric wrapped about said elongate graphite column blocks to collectively define said second series of gas circulating passages located between said graphite fabric and said graphite column blocks;
• said first and second series of gas circulating passageways extending between and connecting with said top and bottom ceramic manifolds;
• and
• wherein said first and second series of gas circulating passages include an erosion reducing high temperature coating of SiC, boron nitride or boron carbide bonded to said circulating passages of said graphite core.