초록 ▼

A quantity of aluminum is in heat exchange contact with a potassium loop and a steam/water loop. The potassium loop includes a solar energy collector and the solar-heated potassium melts the aluminum to store thermal energy as latent heat of fusion. The steam/water loop extracts steam at 1,000°F. as

A quantity of aluminum is in heat exchange contact with a potassium loop and a steam/water loop. The potassium loop includes a solar energy collector and the solar-heated potassium melts the aluminum to store thermal energy as latent heat of fusion. The steam/water loop extracts steam at 1,000°F. as long as at least some of the aluminum is in the molten state. The steam/water loop includes a steam power turbogenerator unit as user; the quantity of aluminum should suffice to yield, upon resolidification, sufficient heat to satisfy the energy demand of the unit during night time.

대표청구항 ▼

A thermal energy store, comprising: container means holding a quantity of aluminum; a first heat exchanger in the container means and adapted to be passed through by a high temperature fluid and being in heat exchange contact with the aluminum; and a second heat exchanger in the container means in h

A thermal energy store, comprising: container means holding a quantity of aluminum; a first heat exchanger in the container means and adapted to be passed through by a high temperature fluid and being in heat exchange contact with the aluminum; and a second heat exchanger in the container means in heat exchange contact with the aluminum, and adapted to be passed through by a second fluid to receive thermal energy from the aluminum including latent heat of fusion during resolidification of the aluminum.