US3973552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of storing and releasing thermal energy
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1975-06-23
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Granted: 1976-08-10
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Expires: 1995-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A cyclic method of storing and recovering thermal energy utilizing a particulate bed of a decomposable heat storage material selected from the group consisting of the hydroxides of magnesium, calcium, and barium. The bed of heat storage material is confined within a container adjacent a water-permeable wall of the container. Thermal energy of chemical decomposition is stored by heating the bed of selected hydroxide to a temperature within the range of from 300° to 900°C and above the decomposition temperature of the selected hydroxide for a time sufficient to decompose at least a part of the selected hydroxide to form the corresponding oxide and water vapor. The water vapor is withdrawn by passing a carrier gas into contact with the water-permeable wall of the container to absorb the water vapor permeating therethrough. The stored thermal energy is recovered by passing a water-laden carrier gas into contact with the water-permeable wall, whereby the water vapor permeates through the wall into contact with the oxide to reform the selected hydroxide and generate heat of reaction which is removed by the carrier gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy Ervin, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:07
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D11/00; F24S; F24S90/00; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/003; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A cyclic method of storing and recovering thermal energy comprising: providing a container having at least one water-permeable wall for the passage of water vapor therethrough; providing a particulate bed of a selected heat storage material in said container adjacent at least said one water-permeable wall, said heat storage material being selected from the group consisting of the hydroxides of magnesium, calcium, and barium, said bed of selected material having an apparent density of from 25% to 75% and a depth of less than about 40 cm; heating said bed of selected hydroxide to a temperature within the range of from about 300° to 900°C and above the decomposition temperature of the selected hydroxide for a time sufficient to decompose at least a part of the selected hydroxide to form the corresponding oxide and water vapor; withdrawing the formed water vapor by passing a carrier gas into contact with said water-permeable wall of the container to absorb the water vapor permeating therethrough; and recovering thermal energy by passing a water vapor-laden carrier gas into contact with the water-permeable wall whereby the water vapor permeates through the wall into contact with the oxide to reform the selected hydroxide and generate heat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A cyclic method of storing and recovering thermal energy comprising: providing a container having at least one water-permeable wall for the passage of water vapor therethrough; providing a particulate bed of a selected heat storage material in said container adjacent at least said one water-permeable wall, said heat storage material being selected from the group consisting of the hydroxides of magnesium, calcium, and barium, said bed of selected material having an apparent density of from 25% to 75% and a depth of less than about 40 cm; heating said bed of selected hydroxide to a temperature within the range of from about 300° to 900°C and above the decomposition temperature of the selected hydroxide for a time sufficient to decompose at least a part of the selected hydroxide to form the corresponding oxide and water vapor; withdrawing the formed water vapor by passing a carrier gas into contact with said water-permeable wall of the container to absorb the water vapor permeating therethrough; and recovering thermal energy by passing a water vapor-laden carrier gas into contact with the water-permeable wall whereby the water vapor permeates through the wall into contact with the oxide to reform the selected hydroxide and generate heat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heat generated is removed from the heat storage material by said carrier gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the container and bed of heat storage material are located in the focal zone of a focusing solar energy collector for heating the bed of selected hydroxide with solar energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said bed has a depth of from about 1 to 10 cm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said heat storage material is magnesium hydroxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier gas is withdrawn from a reservoir prior to contacting the water-permeable wall of the container to absorb the water vapor permeating therethrough and subsequently is cooled and returned to the reservoir providing a closed loop system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there are two water-permeable walls within said container and the bed of heat storage material is confined intermediate the two walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the carrier gas passes through both the water-permeable walls and the bed of heat storage material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the selected hydroxide is calcium hydroxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier gas is steam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |