초록 ▼

There is disclosed a process for storing energy by use of the heat of fusion of hydrated salts which are within a bulk container having heat exchange means. The process prevents stratification and supercooling from occurring during the heat releasing cycles by internally circulating the molten salt

There is disclosed a process for storing energy by use of the heat of fusion of hydrated salts which are within a bulk container having heat exchange means. The process prevents stratification and supercooling from occurring during the heat releasing cycles by internally circulating the molten salt within the container and also by preventing the temperature of the salt from rising above that at which complete melting of the salt crystals within the container occurs.

대표청구항 ▼

In a process for storing and releasing heat wherein heat is absorbed by a solid hydrated salt stored in a bulk container thereby causing said solid salt to become molten, and thereafter said molten salt is allowed to solidify and heat released from said salt in the solidification step is recovered,

In a process for storing and releasing heat wherein heat is absorbed by a solid hydrated salt stored in a bulk container thereby causing said solid salt to become molten, and thereafter said molten salt is allowed to solidify and heat released from said salt in the solidification step is recovered, the improvement which comprises terminating the input of said heat into said solid salt prior to the complete conversion of said solid salt to the molten state to prevent formation of an undesired lower energy solid hydrated salt and thereby to maintain heat storage capacity of said salt substantially unchanged, and internally circulating said mixture of said molten salt and said solid salt within said container during the solidification step thereby preventing stratification and supercooling.