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Title: Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit

Abstract

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 there between. 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.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5845423
Application Number:
ON: DE83018034
Assignee:
ERA-08-054044; EDB-83-176565
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-77CH00178
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
25 ENERGY STORAGE; THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT; DESIGN; TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS; THERMAL INSULATION; STABILITY; TANKS; CONTAINERS; EQUIPMENT; 250600* - Energy Storage- Thermal

Citation Formats

Copeland, R J. Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit. United States: N. p., 1982. Web.
Copeland, R J. Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit. United States.
Copeland, R J. Thu . "Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit". United States.
@article{osti_5845423,
title = {Method and apparatus for operating an improved thermocline storage unit},
author = {Copeland, R J},
abstractNote = {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 there between. 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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1982},
month = {9}
}

Patent:
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