Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865485

Copeland, Robert J ^[1]

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1. Lakewood, CO

A method and apparatus for operating a thermocline storage unit in which an insulated barrier member is provided substantially at the interface region between the hot and cold liquids in the storage tank. The barrier member physically and thermally separates the hot and cold liquids substantially preventing any diffusing or mixing between them and substantially preventing any heat transfer therebetween. The barrier member follows the rise and fall of the interface region between the liquids as the tank is charged and discharged. Two methods of maintaining it in the interface region are disclosed. With the structure and operation of the present invention and in particular the significant reduction in diffusing or mixing between the hot and cold liquids as well as the significant reduction in the thermal heat transfer between them, the performance of the storage tank is improved. More specifically, the stability of the interface region or thermocline is enhanced and the thickness of the thermocline is reduced producing a corresponding increase in the steepness of the temperature gradient across the thermocline and a more efficiently operating thermocline storage unit.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EG-77-C-01-4042
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4523629
• OSTI ID: 865485
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
operating
improved
thermocline
storage
unit
insulated
barrier
provided
substantially
interface
region
hot
cold
liquids
tank
physically
thermally
separates
preventing
diffusing
mixing
heat
transfer
therebetween
follows
rise
fall
charged
discharged
methods
maintaining
disclosed
structure
operation
particular
significant
reduction
thermal
performance
specifically
stability
enhanced
thickness
reduced
producing
corresponding
increase
steepness
temperature
gradient
efficiently
interface region
significant reduction
storage tank
temperature gradient
heat transfer
storage unit
thermocline storage
substantially preventing
thermal heat
substantially prevent
efficiently operating
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