Methods and systems for thermal energy storage and their use in buildings applications
AssigneeAlliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
InventorZhiwen MA
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to particle-based thermal energy storage (TES) systems employed for the heating and cooling applications for residential and/or commercial buildings. Particle-based TES systems may store thermal energy in the particles during off-peak times (i.e., when electricity demand and/or costs are relatively low) and remove the stored thermal energy for heating or cooling applications for buildings during peak times (i.e., when electricity demand and/or costs are relatively high).
Claims20
A system for using thermal energy storage for a building application, the system comprising:
- a plurality of particles;
- a heat pump configured to transfer heat to a first heat transfer fluid;
- and
- a first heat exchanger configured to operate in a charging mode and a discharging mode;
- wherein:
- during the charging mode, the first heat exchanger is configured to facilitate heat transfer between the first heat transfer fluid and the plurality of particles,
- during the discharging mode, the first heat exchanger is configured to facilitate heat transfer between the plurality of particles and a second heat transfer fluid, and
- the second heat transfer fluid is configured to exchange heat with the building application.
A method of heating or cooling a building application using thermal energy storage, the method comprising, in order:
- operating a heat pump comprising a first heat transfer fluid;
- directing the first heat transfer fluid and a plurality of particles to a first heat exchanger;
- storing the plurality of particles;
- sending a second heat transfer fluid and the plurality of particles to the first heat exchanger;
- and
- routing the second heat transfer fluid to the building application.
The method of clam 15, wherein:
- storing the plurality of particles comprises:
- conveying the plurality of particles to a silo, and
- transferring thermal energy to a phase change material positioned within the silo.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.