Patent ID: 8554377

Claim:
A method for optimizing a thermocline in a fluid within a tank, the method comprising the steps of measuring a plurality of temperatures of the fluid at a plurality of locations along a vertical height of the tank; identifying a thermocline region from the plurality of temperatures of the fluid; computing an average temperature of the fluid in the thermocline region; identifying a first location along the vertical height of the tank whereat the temperature of the fluid in the tank equals the average temperature of the fluid in the thermocline region; closing a plurality of valves located at a plurality of locations along the vertical height of the tank; opening a first valve from the plurality of valves, wherein the first valve is closest in proximity to the first location; pumping a fluid stream through a heat exchanger, wherein the fluid stream entering the heat exchanger is from the first valve; and the fluid stream exiting the heat exchanger is returned to the tank at one or more locations above the thermocline region; measuring a temperature of the fluid stream exiting the heat exchanger; and maintaining the fluid stream exiting the heat exchanger at an exit set point temperature by modulating a flow rate of the fluid stream.