System for thermal energy storage, space heating and cooling and power conversion

Patent · Tue Apr 21 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:863860

Gruen, Dieter M ^[1]; Fields, Paul R ^[2]

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1. Downers Grove, IL
2. Chicago, IL

An integrated system for storing thermal energy, for space heating and cong and for power conversion is described which utilizes the reversible thermal decomposition characteristics of two hydrides having different decomposition pressures at the same temperature for energy storage and space conditioning and the expansion of high-pressure hydrogen for power conversion. The system consists of a plurality of reaction vessels, at least one containing each of the different hydrides, three loops of circulating heat transfer fluid which can be selectively coupled to the vessels for supplying the heat of decomposition from any appropriate source of thermal energy from the outside ambient environment or from the spaces to be cooled and for removing the heat of reaction to the outside ambient environment or to the spaces to be heated, and a hydrogen loop for directing the flow of hydrogen gas between the vessels. When used for power conversion, at least two vessels contain the same hydride and the hydrogen loop contains an expansion engine. The system is particularly suitable for the utilization of thermal energy supplied by solar collectors and concentrators, but may be used with any source of heat, including a source of low-grade heat.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4262739
• Application Number: 06/000,741
• OSTI ID: 863860
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

thermal
energy
storage
space
heating
cooling
power
conversion
integrated
storing
cong
described
utilizes
reversible
decomposition
characteristics
hydrides
pressures
temperature
conditioning
expansion
high-pressure
hydrogen
consists
plurality
reaction
vessels
containing
loops
circulating
heat
transfer
fluid
selectively
coupled
supplying
appropriate
source
outside
ambient
environment
spaces
cooled
removing
heated
loop
directing
flow
gas
contain
hydride
contains
engine
particularly
suitable
utilization
supplied
solar
collectors
concentrators
including
low-grade
circulating heat
space heating
solar collectors
transfer fluid
power conversion
thermal decomposition
solar collector
particularly suitable
hydrogen gas
energy storage
heat transfer
thermal energy
reaction vessel
expansion engine
storing thermal
energy supplied
vessels contain
pressure hydrogen
/165/60/62/126/