Continuous thermal energy delivery from a periodically active energy source

Claim 3

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said width of said annular chamber is determined by the relation: ##EQU3## wherein the damping factor F is a ratio of the maximum admissible cyclic temperature amplitude of said working fluid entering said energy utilization sector, total cycle duration τ o in hours, said thermal energy transmission and storage material thermal conductivity k s (Btu/h ft deg F.), effective specific heat including the heat of fusion c ps (Btu/lb deg F.), density ρ s (lb/ft 3 ), and said annular width Δr (ft).

Claim 4

An apparatus of claim 2 wherein the radius of said working fluid conduit is fixed by said energy utilization sector.

Claim 5

An apparatus of claim 3 wherein said length of said annular chamber is obtained by dtermination of the required mass of said energy transmission and storage material by the relation: ##EQU4## wherein m is the total mass of said energy transmission and storage material, lbs, Q.is the rated energy delivery rate to said energy utilization sector by said working fluid, Btu/h, P e is the duration of the eclipse period, hr., C ps is the effective specific heat as defined in claim 2, Δt is the bulk of said material temperature drop during an eclipse period, deg F.

Claim 6

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said working fluid conduit means and said containment means have substantially circular cross sections.

Claim 7

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid-solid phase change thermal energy storage material forms a thin layer of solid phase adjacent said working fluid conduit means.

Claim 8

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermal energy storage material has a specific heat in the liquid phase of above about 0.6 Btu/lb°F.

Claim 9

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermal energy storage material has a thermal conductivity of above about 1 Btu/hft°F.

Claim 10

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermal energy storage material has a heat of fusion of above about 300 Btu/lb.

Claim 11

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermal energy storage material has a specific heat in the liquid phase of about 0.6 to about 0.8 Btu/lb°F.; said thermal energy storage material has a thermal conductivity of about 1 to about 5 Btu/hft°F.; and a heat of fusion of about 350 to about 450 Btu/lb.

Claim 12

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermal energy storage material is lithium hydroxide.

Claim 13

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermal energy utilization means is a turbine power generation means.

Claim 14

An apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a solar concentrator focused on said containment means.

Claim 15

A process for continuous delivery of relatively uniform predetermined thermal energy from a cyclically active thermal energy source having an ON period substantially exceeding an OFF period in duration, said process comprising: passing working fluid from a lower temperature outlet of a thermal utilization sector of a continuous working fluid conduit loop to a higher temperature inlet to said thermal utilization sector, said working fluid conduit passing through an energy supply sector in the central portion of an outer containment means forming an annular chamber therewith, said annular chamber substantially filled with a liquid-solid phase change thermal energy transmission and storage material having a high specific heat in the liquid phase and having a width and length consistent with said continuous delivery of relatively uniform predetermined thermal energy based upon density, heat of fusion, specific heat, and thermal conductivity of said thermal transmission storage material; exposing said outer containment means during cyclic insolation to said thermal energy source superheating said thermal energy storage material in the liquid phase to a temperature above said higher temperature inlet to said thermal utilization sector; passing a portion of thermal energy from said thermal energy transmission and storage material inwardly to heat said working fluid and to reduce solid phase of said thermal energy storage material adjacent said working fluid conduit during cyclic insolation; optionally but not necessarily covering said containment means during periodic eclipse to reduce loss of thermal energy; and passing a portion of said thermal energy from said thermal energy storage material inwardly to heat said working fluid and further heating said working fluid by release of heat of fusion upon solidification of said thermal energy storage material adjacent said working fluid condiut during eclipse.

Claim 16

A process for continuous delivery of relatively uniform predetermined thermal energy from a cyclically active thermal energy source having an ON period substantially exceeding an OFF period in duration, said process comprising: passing working fluid from a lower temperature outlet of a thermal utilization sector of a continuous working fluid conduit loop to a higher temperature inlet to said thermal utilization sector, said working fluid conduit passing through an energy supply sector in the central portion of an outer containment means forming an annular chamber therewith, said annular chamber substantially filled with a liquid-solid phase change thermal energy transmission and storage material having a high specific heat in the liquid phase and having a width and length consistent with said continuous delivery of relatively uniform predetermined thermal energy based upon density, heat of fusion, specific heat, and thermal conductivity of said thermal transmission storage material; exposing said outer containment means during cyclic insolation to said thermal energy source superheating said thermal energy storage material in the liquid phase to a temperature above said higher temperature inlet to said thermal utilization sector; passing a portion of thermal energy from said thermal energy transmission and storage material inwardly to heat said working fluid and to reduce solid phase of said thermal energy storage material adjacent said working fluid conduit during cyclic insolation; optionally but not necessarily covering said containment means during periodic eclipse to reduce loss of thermal energy; and passing a portion of said thermal energy from said thermal energy storage material inwardly to heat said working fluid and further heating said working fluid by release of heat of fusion upon solidification of said thermal energy storage material adjacent said working fluid condiut during eclipse.

Claim 17

The process of claim 14 wherein the time of said insolation is about 50 to about 70 minutes and the time of said eclipse is about 25 to about 45 minutes.

Claim 18

The process of claim 15 wherein a thermal gradient is maintained across the thickness of said thermal energy storage material.

Claim 19

The process of claim 14 wherein a thin layer of said solid phase is formed on said working fluid conduit.

Claim 20

The process of claim 14 wherein a solar concentrator focuses thermal energy from said thermal energy source on said containment means.

Claim 21

The process of claim 14 wherein said thermal energy storage material has a specific heat in the liquid phase of about 0.6 to about 0.8 Btu/lb°F.; said thermal energy storage material has a thermal conductivity of about 1 to about 5 Btu/hft°F.; and a heat of fusion of about 350 to about 450 Btu/lb.

Claim 22

The process of claim 14 wherein said thermal energy storage material is lithium hydroxide.