Patent ID: 8544275
Filing Date: 2013-10-01
Classification: F01K,F28D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A heat storage system for providing/storing heat, heat being stored using a heat transfer fluid at or about a predetermined temperature, the system comprising: a storage container; and a ceramic heat storage medium, said medium having an extended longitudinal section extending along a longitudinal axis of said container, said medium formed with particles, said particles cooperating and defining voids between said particles to facilitate flow of heat transfer fluid in said longitudinal direction, said voids combining to define a longitudinal flow path along said longitudinal axis through said medium; said particles and voids enabling flow of said fluid along a plane perpendicular to said axis laterally across said medium, said particles configured to limit particle-to-particle heat transfer, said particles configured to promote and having an affinity for direct transfer of heat with said fluid in said plane and thus defining a heat front along said plane, wherein said medium and fluid cooperate to transfer heat between said fluid and said medium along said plane to form said heat front tending perpendicular to said axis and along said plane; said heat front propagating along said axis; said particles simultaneously resisting heat transfer by contact with each other and having an affinity for rapidly transferring heat by direct contact with said fluid; and said container having a heat transfer fluid inlet, at least one insulating layer placed in said longitudinal flow path separated from said inlet to define a compartment, said at least one insulating layer adapted to substantially prevent reduction of temperature gradient within said compartment; said at least one insulating layer having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow of heat transfer fluid along said flow path and out of said compartment.