Method and apparatus for thermal energy storage. [Patent application]

Patent · Tue Aug 19 00:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7253429

Gruen, D M

A method and apparatus for storing energy by converting thermal energy to potential chemically bound energy in which a first metal hydride is heated to dissociation temperature, liberating hydrogen gas which is compressed and reacted with a second metal to form a second metal hydride while releasing thermal energy. Cooling the first metal while warming the second metal hydride to dissociation temperature will reverse the flow of hydrogen gas back to the first metal, releasing additional thermal energy. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for the storage and conversion of thermal energy from solar heat sources and for the utilization of this energy for space heating purposes, such as for homes or offices.

• Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration
• OSTI ID: 7253429
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
COMPRESSORS
DISSOCIATION HEAT
HEAT SOURCES
HYDRIDES
ENTHALPY
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REACTION HEAT
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
250600* - Energy Storage- Thermal
320101 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Residential Buildings- (-1987)
320102 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Office Buildings- (-1987)