An active thermal energy storage system is disclosed which uses an energy storage material that is stable at atmospheric pressure and temperature and has a melting point higher than 32 degrees F. This energy storage material is held within a storage tank and used as an energy storage source, from wh
An active thermal energy storage system is disclosed which uses an energy storage material that is stable at atmospheric pressure and temperature and has a melting point higher than 32 degrees F. This energy storage material is held within a storage tank and used as an energy storage source, from which a heat transfer system (e.g., a heat pump) can draw to provide heating of residential or commercial buildings and associated hot water. The energy storage material may also accept waste heat from a conventional air conditioning loop, and may store such heat until needed. The system may be supplemented by a solar panel system that can be used to collect energy during daylight hours, storing the collected energy in the energy storage material. The stored energy may then be used during the evening hours to heat recirculation air for a building in which the system is installed.
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The invention claimed is: 1. A thermal energy storage system, comprising: a first tank for holding a quantity of water; a second tank having a quantity of thermal energy storage material disposed therein, the thermal energy storage material comprising a substantially solid material having a melting
The invention claimed is: 1. A thermal energy storage system, comprising: a first tank for holding a quantity of water; a second tank having a quantity of thermal energy storage material disposed therein, the thermal energy storage material comprising a substantially solid material having a melting point above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (F), and a latent heat of fission approaching that of water; and recirculation piping connecting the first and second tanks, the recirculation piping being in fluid communication with an inner volume of said first tank, the recirculation piping further comprising a heating coil disposed within the second tank; wherein heated water disposed in said first tank at a first time is movable within said recirculation piping, and through said heating coil, to transfer heat from the heated water to the thermal energy storage material disposed within the second tank; and wherein cool water disposed in said first tank at a second time is movable within said recirculation piping, and through said heating coil, to transfer heat from said thermal energy storage material disposed within the second tank to the cool water. 2. The thermal energy storage system of claim 1, wherein water in the first tank is heated using a resistance electrical heater. 3. The thermal energy storage system of claim 1, further comprising a solar panel, said solar panel having a second recirculation loop engaged with the recirculation piping, said second recirculation loop having a heating fluid disposed therein; wherein said heating fluid is movable within said second recirculation loop, said recirculation piping, and said heating coil, to transfer heat from said heating fluid to said thermal energy storage material. 4. The thermal energy storage system of claim 1, further comprising an air conditioning loop comprising supply and return piping, a first heat transfer coil disposed within said second tank, a second heat transfer coil disposed within a ventilation supply opening, and a heat transfer fluid disposed within said air conditioning loop; wherein said heat transfer fluid is movable within said air conditioning loop to transfer energy between said thermal energy storage material and air directed over an outer surface of said second heat transfer coil. 5. The thermal energy storage system of claim 4, further comprising a compressor disposed in said supply piping and a control valve disposed within said return piping, said compressor and control valve being operable to control a flow rate of said heat transfer fluid through said air conditioning loop. 6. The thermal energy storage system of claim 5, wherein said compressor is a reversible compressor having a first operating mode for moving said heat transfer fluid through said air conditioning loop in a first direction, and having a second operating mode for moving said heat transfer fluid through said air conditioning loop in a second direction that is opposite to said first direction. 7. The thermal energy storage system of claim 1, farther comprising a heat pump loop comprising supply and return piping, a first heat transfer coil disposed within said first tank, a second heat transfer coil disposed within said second tank, and a heat transfer fluid disposed within said heat pump loop; wherein said heat transfer fluid is movable within said heat pump loop to transfer energy between said thermal energy storage material and water within said first tank. 8. A thermal energy storage system, comprising: a hot water tank for holding a quantity of water; a storage tank having a quantity of thermal energy storage material disposed therein, the thermal energy storage material comprising a substantially solid clathrate having a melting point above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (F); and a piping loop connecting the hot water tank and the storage tank, the piping loop being in fluid communication with an inner volume of said hot water tank, the piping loop further comprising a heating coil disposed within the storage tank; wherein when a quantity of water in said hot water tank has a temperature greater than a temperature of said thermal energy storage material, said water is movable within said piping loop and heating coil to transfer heat from the water to the thermal energy storage material; and wherein when said quantity of water in said hot water tank has a temperature less than a temperature of said thermal energy storage material, said water is movable within said piping loop and heating coil to transfer heat from the thermal energy storage material to the water. 9. The thermal energy storage system of claim 8, further comprising an electric powered heater associated with said hot water tank for heating said quantity of water. 10. The thermal energy storage system of claim 8, further comprising a solar panel, said solar panel having a recirculation loop engaged with said piping loop, said recirculation loop having water disposed therein; wherein said water is movable within said recirculation loop, said piping loop, and said heating coil, to transfer heat from said water to said thermal energy storage material. 11. The thermal energy storage system of claim 8, further comprising an air conditioning loop comprising supply and return piping, a first heat transfer coil disposed within said storage tank, a second heat transfer coil disposed within a building ventilation supply opening, and a heat transfer fluid disposed within said air conditioning loop; wherein said heat transfer fluid is movable within said air conditioning loop to transfer energy between said thermal energy storage material and air directed over an outer surface of said second heat transfer coil. 12. The thermal energy storage system of claim 11, further comprising a compressor disposed in said supply piping and a control valve disposed within said return piping, said compressor and control valve being operable to control a flow rate of said heat transfer fluid through said air conditioning loop. 13. The thermal energy storage system of claim 12, wherein said compressor is a reversible compressor having a first operating mode for moving said heat transfer fluid through said air conditioning loop in a first direction, and having a second operating mode for moving said heat transfer fluid through said air conditioning loop in a second direction that is opposite to said first direction. 14. The thermal energy storage system of claim 8, further comprising a heat pump loop comprising supply and return piping, a first heat transfer coil disposed within said hot water tank, a second heat transfer coil disposed within said storage tank, and a heat transfer fluid disposed within said heat pump loop; wherein said heat transfer fluid is movable within said heat pump loop to transfer energy between said thermal energy storage material and water within said hot water tank. 15. A thermal energy storage system, comprising: a first tank, a second tank, and an air distribution system; said first tank having a quantity of water disposed therein; said second tank having a quantity of thermal energy storage material disposed therein, said thermal energy storage material comprising a phase change material having a melting point above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (F), and a latent heat of fusion approaching that of water; wherein said first and second tanks are connected by a recirculation loop for moving said water from said first tank through a first coil disposed within said second tank to transfer energy between said water and said thermal energy storage material; and wherein said second tank and said air distribution system are connected by an air conditioning loop for moving a first heat transfer fluid from a second coil disposed in said second tank to a third coil disposed in said air conditioning system to transfer energy between said thermal energy storage material and air passed over said third coil. 16. The thermal energy storage system of claim 15, further comprising a heat pump loop comprising supply and return piping, a fourth heat transfer coil disposed within said first tank, a fifth heat transfer coil disposed within said second tank, and a second heat transfer fluid disposed within said heat pump loop; wherein said second heat transfer fluid is movable within said heat pump loop to transfer energy between said thermal energy storage material and water within said first tank. 17. The thermal energy storage system of claim 16, wherein said air conditioning loop comprises a first compressor and a first control valve for controlling movement of said heat transfer fluid through said air conditioning loop, and said heat pump loop further comprises a second compressor and a second control valve for controlling movement of said second heat transfer fluid through said heat pump loop. 18. The thermal energy storage system of claim 17, wherein the first compressor is a reversible compressor. 19. The thermal energy storage system of claim 15, further comprising a solar panel having a solar panel fluid loop in fluid communication with said recirculation loop between said first and second tanks; wherein fluid within said solar panel fluid loop is movable through said recirculation loop and said first coil to transfer energy from said solar panel to said thermal energy storage material. 20. The thermal energy storage system of claim 15, further comprising a solar panel for generating a current for electrical power, wherein said first tank comprises an electrical heater powered by said electrical power. 21. The thermal energy storage system of claim 15, wherein the thermal energy storage material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of clathrate, imidazole, imidazolium chloride and a derivative of pyrrole. 22. The thermal energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the thermal energy storage material comprises clathrate. 23. A thermal energy storage system, comprising: a first tank, a second tank, and a hot water radiator circulation system; said first tank having a quantity of water disposed therein; said second tank having a quantity of thermal energy storage material disposed therein, said thermal energy storage material comprising a phase change material having a melting point above 32 degrees Fahrenheit (F), and a latent heat of fusion approaching that of water; wherein said first and second tanks are connected by a recirculation loop for moving said water from said first tank through a first coil disposed within said second tank to transfer energy between said water and said thermal energy storage material; and wherein said second tank and said hot water radiator circulation system are connected by loop for moving a first heat transfer fluid from a second coil disposed in said second tank to a water coil disposed in said hot water radiator circulation system to transfer energy between said thermal energy storage material and water passed over said water coil.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (3)
Beaulieu Adrian A. (West Bridgewater MA), High temperature thermal storage system utilizing solar energy units.
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