U.S. patent application number 12/011188 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for dynamic heat accumulator and method for storing heat.
This patent application is currently assigned to KBA-MetalPrint GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Mathias Hanel.
Application Number | 20080210218 12/011188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39256997 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080210218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanel; Mathias |
September 4, 2008 |
Dynamic heat accumulator and method for storing heat
Abstract
A heat accumulator has a heat accumulator structure with at
least two accumulator elements through which a medium flows for
charging and that thus each forms a hot end and a cold end by
temperature layering and having a medium rinse device. In a rinse
operation the heat accumulator produces at least one cold medium
rinse flow and introduces it into the cold end of at least one of
the accumulator elements. The hot medium rinse flow exiting from
the hot end of the accumulator element enters the hot end that is
in the charged state via at least one rinse path.
Inventors: |
Hanel; Mathias; (Hessigheim,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
KBA-MetalPrint GmbH & Co.
KG
Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
39256997 |
Appl. No.: |
12/011188 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 17/04 20130101;
F28D 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/400 |
International
Class: |
F24H 7/00 20060101
F24H007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 29, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 005 331.4 |
Claims
1. A heat accumulator having a heat accumulator structure that has
at least two accumulator elements through which a medium flows for
charging and that thus each forms a hot end and a cold end by
temperature layering and having a medium rinse device that in a
rinse operation for said heat accumulator produces at least one
cold medium rinse flow and introduces it into said cold end of at
least one of said accumulator elements, the hot medium rinse flow
exiting from said hot end of said accumulator element entering via
at least one rinse path said hot end that is in the charged state
and that is of said at least one other accumulator element.
2. The heat accumulator of claim 1, wherein said hot ends form
upper ends of said accumulator elements and said cold ends form
lower ends of said accumulator elements.
3. The heat accumulator of claim 1, wherein said rinse path
connects said at least two accumulator elements at their hot ends
and is embodied as a common connecting chamber arranged above said
accumulator elements and extends at least partially across
them.
4. The heat accumulator of claim 1, wherein at least one first
medium opening is disposed above said or above each of said
accumulator elements.
5. The heat accumulator of claim 4, wherein said first medium
openings form first heat input openings when said heat exchanger is
charging and form first heat output openings when said heat
accumulator is discharging.
6. The heat accumulator of claim 4, wherein said connecting chamber
has said first medium openings.
7. The heat accumulator of claim 4, wherein a first
blocking/cross-section adjustment element is upstream of each of
said first medium openings as seen from the direction of flow of
the medium during charging.
8. The heat accumulator of claim 7, wherein said rinse path
connects said at least two accumulator elements at their hot ends
and is embodied as a common connecting chamber arranged above said
accumulator elements and extends at least partially across them;
and further wherein said first blocking/cross-section adjustment
elements are upstream of said connecting chamber as seen from the
direction of flow of the medium during charging.
9. The heat accumulator of claim 7, wherein said first
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements are embodied as first
dampers or first disk valves.
10. The heat accumulator of claim 4, wherein at least one second
medium opening is disposed beneath each of said accumulator
elements.
11. The heat accumulator of claim 10, wherein during charging of
said heat accumulator, said second medium openings form medium
return openings for the charging medium flow and during discharging
form medium supply openings for the discharging medium flow.
12. The heat accumulator of claim 11, wherein said cold end of each
of said at least two accumulator elements is adjacent to an
individual chamber, the individual chambers being arranged beneath
said accumulator elements.
13. The heat accumulator of claim 11, wherein a second
blocking/cross-section adjustment element is upstream of each of
said second medium openings as seen in the direction of flow of the
medium during discharge.
14. The heat accumulator of claim 12, wherein said second
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements is upstream of said
individual chambers as seen in the direction of flow of the medium
during discharge.
15. The heat accumulator of claim 12, wherein said associated
medium charging flow or medium discharging flow exits laterally
from said individual chambers or enters said individual chambers
laterally.
16. The heat accumulator of claim 12, wherein said individual
chambers have said second medium openings.
17. The heat accumulator of claim 13, wherein said second
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements are embodied as second
dampers or second disk valves.
18. The heat accumulator of claim 12, wherein at least one medium
rinse opening is disposed beneath said or each of said accumulator
elements.
19. The heat accumulator of claim 18, wherein a third
blocking/cross-section adjustment element is upstream of each of
said second medium rinse openings as seen in the direction of flow
of a medium rinse flow.
20. The heat accumulator of claim 19, wherein said third
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements are upstream of said
individual chambers as seen in the direction of flow of said medium
rinse flow.
21. The heat accumulator of claim 19, wherein said associated
medium rinse flow enters the individual chambers laterally.
22. The heat accumulator of claim 18, wherein said individual
chambers have said medium rinse openings.
23. The heat accumulator of claim 19, wherein said third
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements are embodied as third
dampers or third disk valves.
24. The heat accumulator of claim 1, wherein said accumulator
elements are arranged in accumulator chambers of a housing of said
heat accumulator.
25. The heat accumulator of claim 24, wherein said accumulator
chambers are disposed adjacent to one another and are separated
from one another by means of at least one common separating
wall.
26. The heat accumulator of claim 12, wherein said individual
chambers are disposed adjacent to one another and are separated
from one another by means of at least one common separating
wall.
27. The heat accumulator of claim 1, wherein the medium is gas, in
particular air.
28. The heat accumulator of claim 1, wherein said accumulator
elements comprise ceramic material.
29. The heat accumulator of claim 1, wherein said accumulator
elements constitute individual elements.
30. The heat accumulator of claim 29, wherein said individual
elements are honeycombs.
31. A method for storing heat in a heat accumulator that has
accumulator elements comprising: introducing a hot medium into at
least one accumulator element for charging and embodying one hot
end and one cold end due to temperature layering in said
accumulator element; and introducing at least one cold medium rinse
flow into the cold end of said accumulator element and introducing
the hot medium rinse flow exiting therefrom from said hot end of
said accumulator element into a hot end, in the charged state, of
at least one additional accumulator element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent
Application No. 10 2007 005 331.4 filed 29 Jan. 2007, which
application is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a heat accumulator having
a heat accumulator structure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Heat accumulators are known that have a housing that is
filled with a heat-storing material, in particular a ceramic
material. For charging the heat accumulator, a hot medium flow is
conducted through the material so that the latter heats up. For
discharging, a cold medium flow is conducted through the hot
material, so that the medium flow heats up and is available as a
hot medium flow. Ceramic honeycombs in particular are used for the
ceramic material. Fill and/or plates can also be used. They have a
plurality of through-flow channels for the medium. Heat is added
and heat is removed as a function of the energy flows during
charging and discharging, and these energy flows can be of
different magnitudes. This can cause local temperature increases in
the heat accumulator structure of the heat accumulator. When heat
is added to the heat-storing material, a heat profile occurs, that
is, the heat-storing material on the input side has the highest
temperature. The temperature of the heat-storing material decreases
in the direction of the output of the accumulator. The same applies
for the temperature distribution when heat is removed. If the
accumulator is idle, that is, if no heat energy is being added or
removed, the temperature equalizes from the warm side to the cold
side across the volume of the heat accumulator structure.
SUMMARY
[0005] The underlying object of the invention is to create a heat
accumulator having a heat accumulator structure in which a desired
in particular horizontal and/or vertical temperature distribution
state is maintained, even during lengthy idle periods. In
particular a reproducible state is maintained so that optimum
operation with high efficiency is possible.
[0006] This object is inventively attained in that the heat
accumulator structure of the heat accumulator has at least two
accumulator elements through which a medium flows for charging and
that thus each form a "hot end" and a "cold end" by temperature
layering, a medium rinse device being provided that in a rinse
operation for the heat accumulator produces at least one cold
medium rinse flow and introduces it into the cold end of at least
one of the accumulator elements, the hot medium rinse flow exiting
from the hot end of the aforesaid accumulator element entering via
at least one rinse path the hot end that is in the charged state
and that is of the at least one other accumulator element. Thus,
the cold end of the at least one accumulator element is acted upon
by means of the medium rinse flow, which in particular is produced
by the medium rinse device when the heat accumulator is in the idle
state. The rinse medium flow passes through the accumulator element
in the opposite direction to the medium charging flow. When it
flows through the accumulator element, the medium charging flow
produces a heat profile, that is, the accumulator element is hotter
in the input zone than in the output zone. This results in
temperature layering, starting from the hot end to the cold end,
the latter representing the output end of the accumulator element
for the medium charging flow. If the medium rinse flow, which
relative to the medium charging flow has a lower temperature, that
is, is "cold", is now introduced into the cold end of the charged
accumulator element, the medium rinse flow heats up as it passes
through the accumulator element and exits from the hot end of the
aforesaid accumulator element as a hot medium rinse flow. This hot
medium rinse flow is now introduced via the at least one rinse path
into the hot end that is in the charged state and that is of the at
least one other accumulator element. The hot end of this other
accumulator element is the end that a hot medium charging flow acts
upon during normal charging. The "hot end" state only exists in the
other accumulator element if there has been a corresponding
charging. This is why the wording "hot end that is in the charged
state" was selected, which thus does not mean that when the hot
medium rinse flow is introduced into the (hot) end of the other
accumulator element there must be a charged accumulator element,
that is, a hot end having a high temperature. Therefore this can
also be an uncharged or partly charged other accumulator element,
that is, an accumulator element that does not have any temperature
profile or that has a corresponding pronounced temperature profile.
However, it is preferably provided that the other accumulator
element also has a charged or at least partly charged state, that
is, that the hot medium rinse flow exiting from the one accumulator
element meets the hot end of the other accumulator element. Because
of this process, the available temperature layering produced by the
charging process remains present in a first accumulator element
because the cold end is "cooled" by the cold medium rinse flow and
the hot medium rinse flow exiting from the hot end is supplied to
the hot end of the other, second accumulator element. Consequently
the hot medium rinse flow in the second accumulator element also
ensures that its temperature profile, that is, its temperature
layering, is maintained, because the hot medium rinse flow cools
off while it passes through the other accumulator element so that
the other accumulator element has a higher temperature on the input
side than on the output side with respect to the flow-through
direction of the medium rinse flow. In particular it is provided
that this rinsing with the medium rinse flow is repeated during an
extended idle period, the cold end of the other, second accumulator
element then being acted on by a cold medium rinse flow that exits
from the hot end of the second accumulator element and is conducted
to the hot end of the one, first accumulator element. These
processes can be repeated. In addition, because of this there is a
back and forth movement of the energy transported by means of the
respective medium rinse flow while the temperature layers of the at
least two accumulator elements are maintained. Equalization of the
temperatures of the accumulator elements is therefore prevented so
that there are reproducible conditions and largely uniform
temperatures are available for the charging and discharging, that
is, the exit temperature of the charging flow from the cold end of
the at least one, first accumulator element is always approximately
the same and the removal temperature during discharging of the at
least one, first accumulator element is also reproducible so that
downstream heat consuming processes can be conducted with optimum
efficiency.
[0007] In accordance with one further development of the invention
it is provided that the hot ends form upper ends of the accumulator
elements and the cold ends form lower ends of the accumulator
elements. The accumulator elements consequently have a vertical
extension, the medium charging flow that is introduced into the
upper ends exiting from the lower ends. The cold medium rinse flow
enters into the lower end of at least one accumulator element. The
hot medium rinse flow produced thereby exits from the upper end of
this accumulator element and is introduced into the upper end of at
least one additional accumulator element and exits from the lower
end of the latter accumulator element as a cold medium rinse
flow.
[0008] In accordance with one further development of the invention
it is provided that the rinse path connecting the at least two
accumulator element [sic] at their hot ends is embodied as a common
connecting chamber arranged above the accumulator elements and
extending at least partially across them. In addition, at their hot
ends the accumulator elements are communicatingly connected to one
another via the common connecting chamber so that the hot medium
rinse flow can enter into at least one accumulator element,
specifically its hot end, from at least one other accumulator
element.
[0009] Furthermore, it is advantageous when at least one first
medium opening is disposed above each accumulator element. In
particular it is provided that the first medium openings form first
heat input openings when the heat exchanger is charging and form
first heat output openings when the heat accumulator is
discharging. The connecting chamber preferably has the first medium
openings. Consequently the medium charging flow can be supplied to
the corresponding accumulator element from above via the first
medium opening allocated to each accumulator element, the medium
charging flow exiting downward from the first medium opening that
forms a first heat input opening, passing through the connecting
chamber in a largely vertical manner, and meeting the upper end of
the aforesaid associated accumulator element. When the heat
accumulator is discharging, a cold medium flow is supplied to the
lower end of the accumulator element in question. It flows upward
through the accumulator element, and in doing so is heated. It
exits from the upper, hot end of the accumulator element as a hot
medium discharge flow and flows vertically through the connecting
chamber and then travels to the first medium opening, which, in
this case, forms a first heat output opening, and flows from there
via a channel system to a heat utilization location. When rinsing,
as already explained, a cold medium rinse flow flows into the cold,
lower end of at least one charged accumulator element and exits
from the upper, hot end of this accumulator element. Again, the hot
medium rinse flow is deflected in the connecting chamber such that
it is supplied to the hot end of at least one other accumulator
element for instance during the course of a 180.degree.
deflection.
[0010] In accordance with one further development of the invention
it is provided that a first blocking/cross-section adjustment
element is upstream of each of the first medium openings, as seen
from the direction of flow of the medium during charging.
Furthermore, it is advantageous when the first
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements are upstream of the
connecting chamber as seen from the direction of flow of the medium
during charging. During charging, by closing a first
blocking/cross-section adjustment element, no medium charging flow
is supplied to this accumulator element or only a very small medium
charging flow is supplied via another blocking/cross-section
adjustment element and the connecting chamber. Charging or
non-charging of the associated accumulator element occurs depending
on whether the first blocking/cross-section adjustment elements of
corresponding accumulator elements are opened or closed.
Consequently the charging process can be controlled or regulated by
intentionally supplying the medium charging flow to the desired
accumulator elements. During rinsing, a closed
blocking/cross-section adjustment element of an accumulator element
leads to the hot medium rinse flow exiting from the associated
accumulator element not being supplied to an external heat
consumer, but rather being deflected via the connecting chamber and
being supplied to at least one other accumulator element.
Regardless of the type of operation, the degree of blocking or
opening of a blocking/cross-section adjustment element always leads
to the associated medium flow being adjustable in terms of its
volume flow.
[0011] The first blocking/cross-section adjustment elements can
preferably be embodied as dampers. The embodiment as dampers
represents a robust and simple solution.
[0012] At least one second medium opening is provided beneath each
of the accumulator elements.
[0013] During charging of the heat accumulator, the second medium
openings form medium return openings for the medium charging flow
in the cycle. During discharging of the heat accumulator, the
second medium openings form medium supply openings. During
charging, the medium charging flow or at least a portion thereof
passes through at least one accumulator element and exits from the
lower, cold end of the accumulator element and travels to the
associated second medium opening. From there the now cold medium
charging flow is returned to a heat source in order to be reheated
so that it can again be conducted to the heat accumulator as a hot
medium charging flow. Consequently there is a medium cycle.
Naturally the function of the heat accumulator is also conceivable
in an exemplary embodiment in which the cycle is not closed. During
discharging a hot medium discharging flow exits from the upper, hot
end of the accumulator element in question and is supplied to a
heat consumer. The heat consumer cools the medium discharging flow.
The latter is then returned to the heat accumulator in that it
enters into the lower, cold end of the associated accumulator
element through the second medium opening, that is, the medium
supply opening, and passes upward through the accumulator element,
whereby it is heated and can be supplied again to the heat consumer
as a hot medium discharging flow. There is also a medium cycle in
this case.
[0014] One further development of the invention provides that the
cold end of each at least two accumulator elements is adjacent to
an individual chamber, the individual chambers being arranged
beneath the accumulator elements. The individual chambers ensure
that the medium can flow through the entire cross-section of the
respective associated accumulator element. The individual chambers
consequently represent medium distribution chambers, both for
charging and for discharging operations, as well as for rinsing
operations. Each area of the connecting chamber disposed above an
accumulator element acts in a similar fashion.
[0015] A second blocking/cross-section adjustment element is
preferably upstream of each of the second medium openings as seen
in the direction of flow of the medium during discharge. In
particular it is provided that the second blocking/cross-section
adjustment elements is upstream of the individual chambers as seen
in the direction of flow of the medium during discharge.
[0016] In accordance with one further development of the invention,
it is provided that the associated medium charging flow or medium
discharging flow exits laterally from the individual chambers or
enters the individual chambers laterally. Preferably the individual
chambers have the second medium openings. These are embodied on the
sides of the individual chambers. The individual chambers
preferably have walls to which the second blocking/cross-section
adjustment elements are allocated. The medium preferably flows
laterally into the individual chambers or out of the individual
chambers.
[0017] In accordance with one further development of the invention,
the accumulator elements are arranged in accumulator chambers of a
housing of a heat accumulator. Preferably the accumulator chambers
are embodied adjacent to one another and are separated from one
another by means of at least one common separating wall. The
separating wall is preferably a vertical wall. The individual
chambers are also preferably adjacent to one another and are
separated from one another by means of a common separating
wall.
[0018] Gas, in particular air, is preferably used for the
medium.
[0019] The accumulator elements preferably have ceramic material
that guarantees high heat accumulating capacity. The accumulator
elements in particular constitute individual elements. For instance
saddle shapes and/or sphere shapes can be used for fill for
individual elements.
[0020] In addition or alternatively the individual elements can
preferably be embodied as honeycombs. The honeycombs have medium
through-flow channels so that there are very large heat exchange
surface areas with low flow losses.
[0021] The invention furthermore relates to a method for storing
heat in a heat accumulator that has accumulator elements, in
particular in a heat accumulator as described in the foregoing,
having the steps: introducing a hot medium into at least one
accumulator element for charging and embodying one hot end and one
cold end due to temperature layering in the accumulator element,
introducing at least one cold medium rinse flow into the cold end
of the accumulator element and introducing the hot medium rinse
flow exiting therefrom from the hot end of the accumulator element
into a hot end, in the charged state, of at least one additional
accumulator element.
[0022] It is preferably provided that the introduction of the at
least one cold medium rinse flow, as described in the foregoing, is
performed multiple times such that heat is transported back and
forth between at least two accumulator elements by means of the hot
medium rinse flow. The heat is thus transmitted from the one
accumulator element to the other accumulator element and then again
from the one accumulator element to an accumulator element and so
on. This always maintains the temperature layering, that is, the
temperature profile of the accumulator element in question.
[0023] Additional advantageous embodiments result from the
subordinate claims.
[0024] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0026] FIG. 1 depicts a heat accumulator system having a heat
accumulator;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective elevation of the heat accumulator
from FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts the representation from FIG. 2 at a slightly
oblique angle and from below;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the heat accumulator system in
accordance with FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective elevation of another exemplary
embodiment of a heat accumulator;
[0031] FIGS. 6 through 8 are two side views and a top view of the
heat exchanger in accordance with FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings,
corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts and features.
[0033] FIG. 1 depicts a heat accumulator system 1 that has a heat
accumulator 2. In the exemplary embodiment described, the heat
accumulator 2 is consequently operated by means of a heat source 5.
However, the heat accumulator 2 can also be used in conjunction
with a plurality of heat energy sources, which heat energy sources
also may be different from one another, without departing from the
subject-matter of the invention.
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the heat source 5 is
attached to a medium cycle, air being used as the medium. Disposed
in the medium cycle 6 are two fans 7 and 8, at least one fan 7 or 8
transporting air to the heat source 5 via a line 9 while heat is
added using the heat source 5. The air is very intensely heated in
the heat source 5 and the heated air is supplied to a branch 11 via
a lien 10. A line 12 that is attached to a heat absorber 13 goes
out from the branch 11. The hot air preferably has a temperature of
several hundred degrees Celsius at in particular 1 bar. The air
leaving the heat absorber 13, which is cooled and has a pressure of
preferably 1 bar, is again supplied to the heat source 5 by means
of the fan 8 and/or 7. Disposed between the two fans 7 and 8 is a
branch 19 from which an accumulator line 20 runs that leads to the
heat accumulator 2. Furthermore branching from the branch 11 is an
accumulator line 21 that also leads to the heat accumulator 2. The
accumulator line 20 leads to the "cold end" 22 and the accumulator
line 21 leads to the "hot end" 23 of the heat accumulator 2. The
significance of these terms shall be explained in greater detail in
the following.
[0035] While heat is being added to the heat source 5, required
heat energy cannot be supplied to the heat accumulator 2 from the
heat absorber 13 by means of the accumulator line 21, that is, a
corresponding hot air flow is supplied to the hot end 23 of the
heat accumulator 2 via the accumulator line 21. The hot air flow
that heats the heat accumulator 2 cools as it passes through the
heat accumulator 2 from for instance approximately 700.degree. C.
(the temperature ranges in particular from 300.degree. C. to
1000.degree. C.) to for instance 150.degree. C. (the temperature
ranges in particular from 50.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.) and
leaves the cold end 22 of the heat accumulator 2 via the
accumulator line 20. Then the air passing through the heat
accumulator 2 is resupplied to the heat source 5. Naturally it is
also possible to supply all of the energy from the heat source 5
only to the heat accumulator 2 if for instance the heat absorber 13
is not active for certain operational reasons.
[0036] The heat accumulator 2 is discharged during periods when no
heat energy or insufficient heat energy is delivered by the heat
source 5. In such a case the fan 7 is turned off and the heat
source 5 is separated from the cycle by closing two valves 24. The
fan 8 is active and supplies air to the cold end 22 of the heat
accumulator 2 via the accumulator line 20. The air passes through
the heat accumulator 2 and heats up for instance preferably to
approximately 700.degree. C. and leaves the heat accumulator 2 via
the accumulator line 21. The hot air then flows via the line 12 to
the heat absorber 13 (for instance heat exchanger) and from there
back to the fan 8. It is clear from this that the heat absorber 13
can also be operated during periods in which no heat energy or
insufficient heat energy is delivered by the heat source 5.
[0037] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the structure of the heat
accumulator 2 using an exemplary embodiment. The heat accumulator 2
has a housing 25 that is divided into a plurality of accumulator
chambers 26 through 29. Four accumulator chamber 26 through 29 are
provided in the exemplary embodiment depicted. Disposed in each
accumulator chamber 26 through 29 is an accumulator element 30
through 33 that is able to accumulate store energy. The accumulator
elements 30 through 33 preferably comprise ceramic material, for
instance ceramic honeycombs, that is, the accumulator elements 30
through 33 are made up of individual elements. The accumulator
chambers 26 through 29 are arranged adjacent to one another and are
separated from one another by means of separating walls 34 through
37.
[0038] Embodied in the housing 25 above the accumulator chambers 26
through 29 is a common connecting chamber 38 that creates a
connection for the medium, in particular the aforesaid air, among
the accumulator elements 30 through 33.
[0039] A first medium opening 39 through 42 is disposed above each
accumulator element 30 through 33, the first medium openings 39
through 42 being embodied in a cover 43 for the connecting chamber
38.
[0040] In accordance with FIG. 2, the accumulator line 21 divides
into four individual lines 44 through 47, first
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 48 through 51 being
arranged in the individual lines 44 through 47. The first
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 48 through 51 are
embodied as dampers, in particular double baffles. The individual
lines 44 through 47 are attached to the first medium openings 39
through 42, respectively.
[0041] Individual chambers 52 through 55 are disposed beneath each
accumulator element 30 through 33 or beneath the accumulator
chambers 26 through 29, whereby in terms of flow engineering there
is a connection between each corresponding accumulator chamber 26
through 29 and the individual chamber 52 through 55 disposed
therebeneath. The individual chambers 52 through 55 are adjacent to
one another and are separated from one another by means of common
separating walls 56 through 59. A deflection chamber 60 through 63
is allocated to each individual 52 through 55, the deflection
chambers 60 through 63 being disposed laterally on the housing 25,
each in the area of its associated individual chamber 52 through
55. Each individual chamber 52 through 55 is connected to an
associated deflection chamber 60 through 63 via a second medium
opening 64 through 67. The deflection chambers 60 through 63 have
floors 68 through 71 that are provided with second
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 72 through 75. The
second blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 72 through 75 are
preferably embodied as disk valves. The accumulator line 20 (not
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) is attached to the second
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 72 through 75.
[0042] Furthermore, arranged laterally on the housing 25 are
deflection chambers 76 through 79, each of which is connected to
its associated individual chamber 52 through 55 in terms of flow
engineering. The individual chambers 52 through 55 are each
connected via medium rinse openings 80 through 83 to respective
associated deflection chambers 76 through 79. The deflection
chambers 76 through 79 have floors 84 through 87 that are provided
with third blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 88 through 91
and attached to a medium rinse line 92 (FIG. 4) that is not shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3. The third blocking/cross-section adjustment
elements 88 through 91 are preferably embodied as disk valves.
[0043] FIG. 4 uses a block diagram to illustrate the heat
accumulator 1. The heat source 5 and the heat absorber 13 are drawn
in broken lines as boxes. In addition to the valves 24, further
valve 93 are provided that cannot be seen in FIG. 1 and that are
allocated to the heat absorber 13. Compared to the depiction in
FIG. 1, the valve 24 allocated to the fan 7 is arranged downstream
of the fan 7, rather than upstream thereof, but this does not
represent a difference in terms of function. It can be seen from
FIG. 4 that the medium rinse line 92 is fed by a medium rinse fan
94 that can supply ambient air to the third blocking/cross-section
adjustment elements 88 through 91 via an air filter 95.
[0044] The following function occurs: First, it is assumed that
heat energy
[0045] available, that is, the heat source 5 delivers heat energy
for heating up the air that forms the medium and that is caused to
circulate in the cycle by means of the fan 7 and/or the fan 8. The
hot air is preferably 700.degree. C. and preferably is at 1 bar
pressure. It is returned via the line 10, the open valve 24, the
line 12, and the open valve 93 to the heat absorber 13 and from
there via the fan 8, the open valve 93, the fan 7, the open valve
24, and the line 9 back to the heat source 5. However, it is also
possible to release the air directly into the environment via the
fan 7. After the hot air has left the heat absorber 13 it is
preferably still 150.degree. C. at a pressure of 1 bar.
[0046] If the heat absorber 13 does not require all of the heat
energy, some of the hot air is deflected at the branch 12 and
supplied via the accumulator line 2 to at least one of the
accumulator elements 30 through 33. The accumulator element 30
through 33 or accumulator elements 30 through 33 is/are selected by
opening or partly opening the first blocking/cross-section
adjustment elements 48 through 51. For instance, if all of the
first blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 48 through 51 are
opened, a corresponding partial hot air flow is supplied via the
common connecting chamber 38 to each of the accumulator elements 30
through 33. Because the hot air flows through the accumulator
elements 30 through 33, the latter are heated up and a temperature
profile is created. The result is that they form a hot end 23 in
the upper area and a cold end 22 in the lower area. There is
consequently a temperature profile across the length of the
respective accumulator element 30 through 33, the hot end having a
temperature of preferably approximately 700.degree., and the cold
end having a temperature of approximately 150.degree. C., each at 1
bar. This temperature profile can also be called temperature
layering of the respective accumulator element 30 through 33. The
hot air flowing through each accumulator element 30 through 33
leaves the heat accumulator 2 via the respective associated
individual chambers 52 through 55 and the corresponding opened
second blocking/cross-section adjustment element 72 through 75 and
travels via a common valve 96 in the accumulator line 20 and via
the branch 19 back to the collector 5, in order to be reheated
there.
[0047] From the foregoing it is clear that by intentionally opening
or partly opening or blocking the blocking/cross-section adjustment
elements 48 through 51 and 72 through 75 it is possible to charge
[the heat accumulator] with a corresponding quantity of heat. It is
also possible just to charge the heat accumulator 2 and not to
operate the heat absorber 13. For this it is merely necessary to
close the valves 93.
[0048] In the following it is assumed that the valves 24 are closed
for discharging the heat accumulator 2 so that the heat energy is
delivered only by the heat accumulator 2. This operation can occur
for instance when no energy is available, that is, the heat
generator 5 is not providing any heat energy. For this, the fan 8
is operated so that a corresponding air flow is supplied via the
line 20 and the valve 96 and the second blocking/cross-section
adjustment elements 72 through 75 and the respective individual
chambers 52 through 55 to the cold ends 22 of the accumulator
elements 30 through 33. Naturally it is possible to select from the
number of available accumulator elements 30 through 33 only the
element or those elements that are desired. They can be selected by
closing or opening the corresponding second blocking/cross-section
adjustment elements 72 through 75. Due to the medium flow flowing
through the hot accumulator elements 30 through 33, the latter heat
up according to the temperature profile in each accumulator element
30 through 33 so that hot air leaves each accumulator element 30
through 33 at a temperature of for instance 700.degree. and travels
through the common connecting chamber 38 and the opened first
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 48 through 51, the
accumulator line 21, and the line 12 to the heat absorber 13. Then
the air that has been cooled to approximately 150.degree. C.
because it has passed through the heat absorber 13 is available to
pass through the cycle again.
[0049] Moreover, a mixed mode operation for charging and
discharging the heat accumulator 2 is also possible. Heat energy
can be provided to the absorber and collected in the heat
accumulator 2 in parallel. It is also possible to provide heat
energy to the absorber and remove it from the heat accumulator 2 in
parallel.
[0050] It is particularly significant that, in accordance with the
following process, the temperature layering is not equalized during
an idle period for the heat accumulator 2 that is when heat energy
is neither supplied thereto nor removed therefrom. If left alone,
the temperature layering within the accumulator elements 30 through
33 would slowly even out so that there is no longer a temperature
gradient (in this exemplary instance 700.degree. C. at the hot end
23 and 150.degree. C. at the cold end 22). However, the consequence
of this would be that the accumulator would no longer be fully
utilizable in terms of capacity, which would substantially reduce
the efficiency of the entire system. However, due to the option of
rinsing with a medium rinse device 98 it is provided that the
desired temperature layering can be maintained while the heat
accumulator 2 is idle. For this, ambient air is suctioned by means
of the medium rinse fan 94 via the air filter 96 and, with only a
very low volume flow, that is a low throughput, is supplied for
instance via the opened third blocking/cross-section adjustment
element 91 and the associated individual chamber 55 to the cold end
22 of the accumulator element 33. This air passes through the
accumulator element 33 from below to above and in doing so heats up
in the lower area for instance to approximately 150.degree. C. and
in the upper area, that is at the hot end 23, for example to
700.degree. C. The air then enters the connecting chamber 38 at the
upper end 23 and is supplied from there for instance to the
accumulator element 31. The connecting chamber 38 consequently
forms a rinse path 99. This occurs in that the first
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 48 through 51 are closed
and the second blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 72, 74,
75 are also in the closed position. The third
blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 88, 89, 90 are also
closed. Only the second blocking/cross-section adjustment element
73 is in the open position, so that the hot air that has been
heated to approximately 700.degree. C. enters into the hot end 23
of the accumulator element 31 from the connecting chamber 38 and
passes through the accumulator element 31 from above to below so
that the air exits from the cold end 22 at approximately
150.degree. C. It is then conducted out into the environment via
the second blocking/cross-section adjustment element 73 and a
discharge valve 97 that is attached to the accumulator line 20 and
is disposed upstream of the preferably closed valve 96. This energy
loss is only minor because the volume flow is not large. After a
certain period of time the aforesaid process can be reversed, that
is, the corresponding valves and elements are switched such that
the medium rinse fan 94 now supplies the cold end 22 of the
accumulator element 31 and the hot air entering therethrough into
connecting chamber 38 is supplied to the hot end 23 of the
accumulator element 33. From all of this it is clear that, by
appropriately switching the valves and elements, other accumulator
elements 30 through 33 and other combinations of accumulator
elements 30 through 33 can also be provided with rinse air, so that
each temperature profile of the individual accumulator elements 30
through 33 is maintained. Consequently the temperature layering is
not destroyed, but rather due to this rinse process or these rinse
processes is maintained in each accumulator element 30 through 33,
even when the heat accumulator 2 is idle.
[0051] By operating the heat accumulator appropriately, it is
possible to adapt to corresponding energy flows during charging and
discharging, in particular also during partial load operation, so
that the heat energy is stored in a controlled manner and there are
no local increases in temperature that are not desired.
Furthermore, equalization in the temperature profile in the
accumulator elements is prevented. If there is an undesired
equalization in the temperature layering, the output temperature
increases when the accumulator is charged and decreases when it is
discharged. Such an accumulator can thus be used in an only partial
manner and must be completely emptied or shut down for full
charging or discharging. The invention avoids this. With the
invention, it is always possible for the hot side or the hot ends
of the accumulator elements to be acted upon by the charging flow
and the cold side or the cold ends to be acted upon by the
discharging flows. For stabilizing and maintaining the temperature
distribution in the individual layers of the accumulator elements,
rinsing is performed from the cold side, that is from the cold end,
using rinse air that is distributed on the hot side, that is on the
hot end, to at least one other accumulator element or to different
other accumulator elements. Of course it is also possible to supply
to a plurality of accumulator elements simultaneously with the
rinse medium flow that, after it is heated, is conducted to at
least one other accumulator element. The objective is to store the
maximum quantity of energy at a charge that is as high as
possible.
[0052] Drawings 5 through 8 depict another exemplary embodiment of
a heat accumulator 2, the structure of which however largely
corresponds to that of the exemplary embodiment described in the
foregoing. FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate an exemplary embodiment in
which, compared to FIG. 4, no first blocking/cross-section
adjustment elements 48 through 51 are provided. Thus the
accumulator line 21 runs directly into the connecting chamber 38,
dividing first in order to be able to supply the air to the
accumulator elements 30 through 33 as uniformly as possible. For
activating or deactivating each of the accumulator elements 30
through 33, the blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 88
through 91 and/or 72 through 75 are actuated appropriately. The
common accumulator line 20 can be seen clearly in FIGS. 5 through 8
(it is not shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3). For
the sake of clarity, the connection of the medium rinse line 92
(FIG. 4) to the third blocking/cross-section adjustment elements 88
through 91 is not shown in FIGS. 5 through 8. Otherwise the
statements regarding FIGS. 1 through 4 also apply correspondingly
to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 5 through 8.
* * * * *