U.S. patent application number 16/325953 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-04 for arrangement, particularly refrigerating machine or heat pump.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mahle International GmbH. Invention is credited to Roland Burk.
Application Number | 20190203990 16/325953 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59738281 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190203990 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burk; Roland |
July 4, 2019 |
ARRANGEMENT, PARTICULARLY REFRIGERATING MACHINE OR HEAT PUMP
Abstract
An arrangement may comprise a first and a second heat tank, a
thermochemical reactor which is thermally and fluidically connected
to the heat tank, a heat transfer fluid circuit containing a heat
transfer fluid for transporting heat between the two heat tanks and
the thermochemical reactor, a temporary heat store arranged in the
heat transfer fluid circuit for temporarily storing the heat
transfer fluid. The temporary heat store may be for receiving the
heat transfer fluid has two different temperature levels. The
temporary heat store may comprise a first partial store with a
variable storage volume and a second partial store with a variable
storage volume. The variable storage volume may be thermally and
fluidically separate from the first. A valve system may be located
in the heat transfer fluid circuit. The heat transfer fluid circuit
may comprise at least one movable valve device, by which the heat
transport between the two heat tanks, the thermochemical reactor
and the temporary heat store can be controlled by the heat transfer
fluid.
Inventors: |
Burk; Roland; (Stuttgart,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mahle International GmbH |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
59738281 |
Appl. No.: |
16/325953 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
August 16, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2017/000981 |
371 Date: |
February 15, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 25/005 20130101;
F25B 41/04 20130101; F28D 2020/0095 20130101; F25B 30/04 20130101;
F28D 20/0034 20130101; F25B 2400/24 20130101; F25B 49/046 20130101;
F25B 17/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 41/04 20060101
F25B041/04; F25B 17/08 20060101 F25B017/08; F25B 25/00 20060101
F25B025/00; F25B 49/04 20060101 F25B049/04; F28D 20/00 20060101
F28D020/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 17, 2016 |
DE |
102016215368.4 |
Claims
1. A system for an arrangement of a refrigerating machine or heat
pump, comprising: a first heat tank functioning as heat source and
with a second heat tank functioning as heat sink; a thermochemical
reactor including an adsorption refrigerating machine or an
adsorption heat pump, which is connectible or connected thermally
and fluidically to the heat tanks; a heat transfer fluid circuit in
which a heat transfer fluid is arranged for transporting heat
between the two heat tanks and the thermochemical reactor; a
temporary heat store arranged in the heat transfer fluid circuit
for temporarily storing the heat transfer fluid, wherein the
temporary heat store is designed to receive the heat transfer fluid
with two different temperature levels and for this purpose has a
first partial store with variable storage volume and a second
partial store with variable storage volume which is thermally and
fluidically separated therefrom; a transport device located in the
heat transfer fluid circuit for propelling the heat transfer fluid
(F) in the heat transfer fluid circuit; a valve system (9)
comprising at least one displaceable valve device including two
displaceable valve devices provided in the heat transfer fluid
circuit, wherein the transport of heat between the two heat tanks,
the thermochemical reactor and the temporary heat store can be
controlled via the heat transfer fluid; and a control/regulating
device for controlling the valve system.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the temporary heat
store is designed to receive and discharge a first and a second
fluid mass of the heat transfer fluid simultaneously, wherein the
two fluid masses have different temperature levels.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first partial store
of the temporary heat store is connected fluidically to the first
heat tank and the second partial store of the temporary heat store
is connected fluidically to the second heat tank.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the volume-variable
first partial store is designed to complement the volume-variable
second partial store, so that the total volume formed by the two
partial stores is constant.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the temporary heat
store is embodied as a receptacle wherein the receptacle comprises:
a housing with an interior space of which a dividing element is
arranged so as to be movable and which divides the interior space
into a volume-variable first partial store and a second partial
store which is also volume-variable and is insulated thermally from
the first partial store, a first aperture in the housing for
introducing a heat transfer fluid with a first temperature level
into the first partial store and discharging the heat transfer
fluid therefrom, and a second aperture in the housing for
introducing a heat transfer fluid with a first temperature level
into the second partial store and discharging it the heat transfer
fluid therefrom, wherein the volume-variable first partial store is
designed to complement the volume-variable second partial store, so
that the total volume formed by the two partial stores is
constant.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the housing is of an
elongated construction, wherein the first aperture is located at a
first longitudinal end and the second aperture is located at a
second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end.
7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the housing is
constructed as a tubular body which extends substantially linearly
in an axial direction wherein the dividing element lies against a
circumferential wall of the tubular body and is movable in the
axial direction along the inner side thereof to form the two
volume-variable partial stores.
8. The system according to any one of claim 5, wherein at least one
of: a first sensor element s provided at the first aperture, and by
means of which it can be determined whether the dividing element is
in a first end position in which the dividing element is at a
minimum distance from the first aperture, and, and a second sensor
element is provided at the second aperture, by which it can be
determined whether the dividing element is in a second end position
in which the dividing element is at a minimum distance from the
second aperture.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein an operating state can
be set by the control/regulating device in the at least one
displaceable valve device of the valve system, in which state the
heat transfer fluid circuit forms a first partial circuit, in which
the heat transfer fluid circulates between the thermochemical
reactor and the second heat tank so that heat is transferred from
the thermochemical reactor into the second heat tank.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein in this operating
state the first partial store has a maximum volume and the second
partial store has a minimum volume.
11. The system according to claim 1, wherein an operating state can
be set by the control/regulating device in the at least one
displaceable valve device of the valve system, in which state the
heat transfer fluid circuit forms a second partial circuit, in
which the heat transfer fluid circulates between the thermochemical
reactor and the first heat tank so that heat is transferred from
the first heat tank into the thermochemical reactor.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein in this operating
state the second partial store has a maximum volume and the first
second partial store has a minimum volume.
13. The system according to claim 1, wherein an operating state can
be set by the control/regulating device in the at least one
displaceable valve device of the valve system, wherein: heat
transfer fluid is transported from the first partial store into the
first heat tank, heat transfer fluid is transported from the first
heat tank into the thermochemical reactor, and heat transfer fluid
is transported from the thermochemical reactor into the second
partial store.
14. The system according to claim 1, wherein an operating state can
be set by the control/regulating device in the at least one
displaceable valve device of the valve system, in wherein: heat
transfer fluid is transported from the second partial store into
the second heat tank, heat transfer fluid is transported from the
second heat tank into the thermochemical reactor, and heat transfer
fluid is transported from the thermochemical reactor into the first
partial store.
15. The system claim 1, wherein the first and the second heat tanks
and the thermochemical reactor are each equipped with a fluid inlet
and a fluid outlet to enable the heat transfer fluid to be
introduced therein and discharged therefrom, wherein: the fluid
inlet of the thermochemical reactor can be connected selectively to
the fluid outlet of the first or second heat tank by the first
displaceable valve device, and the fluid outlet of the
thermochemical reactor can be connected selectively to the fluid
inlet of the first or second heat tank by the second displaceable
valve device.
16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the temporary heat
store is connected fluidically in parallel with the second valve
device, so that the fluid inlet of the first heat tank communicates
fluidically with the first partial store and der fluid inlet of the
second heat tank communicates fluidically with the second partial
store.
17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first valve device
and the second valve device each comprise a 3-port/2-position
switching valve.
18. A method for operating an arrangement of a refrigerating
machine or heat pump, comprising: providing a heat transfer fluid
circuit in which a thermochemical reactor, two heat tanks with
different temperature levels and a temporary heat store are
disposed, wherein the temporary heat store includes two thermally
and fluidically separate partial stores, in which a heat transfer
fluid present in the heat transfer fluid circuitcan be received
thermally and fluidically separately from each other; removing a
heating process heat transfer fluid, temporarily stored in the
first partial store of the temporary heat store, is removed from
the first heat tank into the thermochemical reactor by the heat
transfer fluid, and into the first heat tank while heat transfer
fluid is discharged from the thermochemical reactor and into the
second partial store of the temporary heat store and removing a
cooling process heat transfer fluid, temporarily stored in the
second partial store of the temporary heat store, from the
thermochemical reactor and into the second heat tank by the heat
transfer fluid in the second partial store while heat transfer
fluid (F) is discharged from the thermochemical reactor and
introduced into the first partial store of the temporary heat
store.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: providing a housing
with an interior space and a dividing element arranged in the
interior space; providing a first sensor element at the first
aperture to determine whether the dividing element is in a first
end position in which the dividing element is at a first minimum
distance from the first aperture; and providing a second sensor
element at the second aperture to determine whether the dividing
element is in a second end position in which the dividing element
is at a second minimum distance from the second aperture.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: transporting heat
transfer fluid from the first partial store into the first heat
tank; transporting heat transfer fluid from the first heat tank
into the thermochemical reactor; and transporting heat transfer
fluid from the thermochemical reactor into the second partial
store.
Description
CROSS-REFERENE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to International
Application PCT/EP2017/000981 filed on Aug. 16, 2017, and to German
Application DE 10 2016 215 368.4 filed on Aug. 17, 2016, the
contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement, particularly a
refrigerating machine or heat pump, and a method for operating said
arrangement.
[0003] Thermochemically driven sorption refrigeration systems have
potential for substantial energy conservation, since inexpensive
waste or surplus heat is used as operating energy, thus making it
possible to economise on expensive mechanical operating energy. In
fixed position applications, a substantial burden can be removed
from electrical networks particularly in warm time and climate
zones with a substantial cooling requirement. During the cold
season, the plants can also function as heat pumps which use burner
heat to raise additional environmental heat to a temperature level
which is adequate for heating purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Against this background, devices are known from the related
art in which porous solid materials are used, reacting with a
working material for implementing heat, and which have no moving
parts that are consequently susceptible to wear and failure in the
working material area.
[0005] However, the disadvantage of adsorption heat pumps or
adsorption refrigeration systems which function with the aid of
such thermochemical reactors compared with continuously operating
adsorption systems is that the periodic temperature changes
associated with cycled thermal masses result in efficiency losses,
which reduce the power density and power efficiency obtained by the
adsorption heat pumps and adsorption refrigeration system.
[0006] In this context, DE 10 2006 043 715 A1 discloses an
adsorption heat pump which uses a stratified heat store.
[0007] This enables both sensible and latent heat to be stored and
reused with a time delay during the adsorption cycle.
[0008] One problem addressed by the present invention is to
describe new ways in the development of sorption heat pumps and/or
sorption refrigeration systems, particularly with improved
efficiency.
[0009] This problem is solved with the object of the independent
claims. Preferred variants are objects of the dependent claims.
SUMMARY
[0010] Accordingly, the basic idea of the invention is to equip a
thermochemical reactor for creating an adsorption heat pump or
adsorption refrigerating machine--in the present case with a
temporary heat store which has two partial stores for receiving a
heat transfer fluid having two different temperature levels. This
temporary heat store serves to temporarily store heat contained in
the heat transfer fluid during the thermal cycling of the
thermochemical reactor and the switching of the reactor between two
different temperature levels associated therewith. The term
"thermochemical reactor" is understood to refer in broader terms to
a container having a least one working material and an integrated
heat transfer structure, with which an exothermic or endothermic
reaction or phase transformation can be initiated by removing
and/or introducing heat depending on at least one temperature
boundary condition. Accordingly, it may be a sorption reactor or a
phase transformer, particularly a condenser and/or vaporiser. More
specific variants, components and/or sub-components of such kind
are also known by the terms "sorber", "sorption reactor",
"thermochemical store" or "phase transformer".
[0011] The temporary heat store used in the present case, which is
essential for the invention, allows temporary storage of the heat
transfer fluid at the temperature level of one heat source of the
arrangement in the first partial store and simultaneous temporary
storage of the heat transfer fluid at the temperature level of a
heat sink of the arrangement in the second partial store of the
temporary heat store.
[0012] An increase in the volume of the first partial store in the
temporary heat store that is essential to the invention
automatically induces an decrease in the volume of the second
partial store and vice versa. Since the overall volume of the two
variable volume partial stores remains unchanged, introducing the
heat transfer fluid at the temperature level of the heat source
into the first partial chamber facilitates the discharge of the
heat transfer fluid at the second temperature level from the second
partial store and vice versa. In this way, it is possible to
minimise undesirable energy losses from the thermochemical reactor
during thermal cycling, that is to say when switching between the
two temperature levels of the heat source and the heat sink.
Consequently, this results in improved efficiency of the
arrangement according to the invention compared with conventional
arrangements.
[0013] An arrangement according to the invention, particularly a
refrigerating machine or a heat pump, comprises a first heat tank,
which functions as a heat source, and a second heat tank, which
functions as a heat sink. The arrangement further comprises a
thermochemical reactor which is thermally and fluidically
connectable or connected to the heat tanks. The thermochemical
reactor is preferably an essential component of an adsorption
refrigerating machine or an adsorption heat pump.
[0014] The arrangement further comprises a heat transfer fluid
circuit, in which a heat transfer fluid is provided for
transporting heat between the two heat tanks and the thermochemical
reactor. A temporary heat store for temporary storage of
temperature-controlled heat transfer fluid is provided in the heat
transfer fluid circuit. According to the invention, the temporary
heat store has a first partial store with variable storage volume.
The temporary heat store further has a second partial store with
variable storage volume which is thermally and fluidically separate
from the first partial store.
[0015] A transport device of the arrangement according to the
invention which is present in the heat transfer fluid circuit
serves to move the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid
circuit. The arrangement further comprises a valve system located
in the heat transfer fluid circuit, which valve system includes at
least one displaceable valve device. With this at least one
displaceable valve device, it is possible to control the transport
of heat between the two heat tanks, the thermochemical reactor and
the temporary heat store via the heat transfer fluid. Finally, the
arrangement according to the invention comprises a
control/regulating device for controlling said valve system.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the temporary heat store is
designed to receive and discharge a first and a second fluid mass
of the heat transfer fluid simultaneously, wherein the two fluid
masses have different temperature levels. This makes it possible to
temporarily store a fluid mass with the temperature level of the
heat source and a fluid mass with the temperature level of the heat
sink in the temporary heat store at the same time.
[0017] Particularly preferably, the first partial store of the
temporary heat store is connected fluidically to the first heat
tank and the second partial store of the temporary heat store is
connected fluidically to the second heat tank. This arrangement
enables heat transfer fluid stored in the temporary store at the
temperature level of the heat source to be returned easily to the
first heat tank. This arrangement also enables transfer fluid
stored in the temporary store at the temperature level of the heat
sink to be returned easily to the second heat tank.
[0018] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the
temporary heat store is embodied as a receptacle. In this variant,
the receptacle comprises a housing with a dividing element arranged
so as to be movable in the interior thereof, which element divides
the interior into a volume-variable first partial store and a
second partial store which is also volume-variable and is thermally
insulated from the first partial store. A first aperture is
provided in the housing to channel the heat transfer fluid into the
first partial store and channel it out of the first partial store.
A second aperture is also provided in the housing to channel the
heat transfer fluid into the second partial store and channel it
out of the second partial store.
[0019] In an advantageous further development, the housing is of
elongated construction. In this context, the first aperture is
located on a first longitudinal end and the second aperture is
located on a second longitudinal end opposite the first
longitudinal end. The large length to cross-section ratio which is
associated with an elongated construction of the housing serves the
purpose of ensuring that a temperature stratification of the fluid
mass flowing in and out is largely preserved and no significant
mixing thereof occurs during the necessary storage time.
[0020] The housing may expediently be designed as a tubular body
which extends substantially linearly in an axial direction. In this
variant, the dividing element for creating the two volume-variable
partial stores fits against the inner side of the circumferential
wall of the tubular body so as to be movable in the axial direction
thereof. Such a structure is technically easy to manufacture and is
thus associated with low production costs.
[0021] In another advantageous further development, a first sensor
element is provided at the first aperture and serves to determine
whether the dividing element is in a first end position, in which
the dividing element has a minimum separation from the first
aperture. Alternatively or additionally, in this variant a second
sensor element may be provided as the second aperture, and may
serve to determine whether the dividing element is in a second end
position, in which the dividing element has a minimum separation
from the second aperture. This makes it possible to detect when the
heat transfer fluid has been completely removed from one of the two
partial stores during thermal cycling of the thermochemical
reactor; because in this case the dividing element is positioned at
a minimal distance from the first or second aperture.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the
control/regulating device in the at least one displaceable valve
device of the valve system is able to set an operating state in
which the heat transfer fluid circuit forms a first partial
circuit. In the first partial circuit, the heat transfer fluid
circulates between the thermochemical reactor and the second heat
tank so that the heat from the thermochemical reactor is
transferred to the second heat tank, that is to say to the heat
sink. In this way, heat may be transported away from the
thermochemical reactor particularly effectively.
[0023] In this operating state, the first partial store preferably
has a maximum volume and the second partial store has a minimum
volume. This means that the first partial store is filled with the
heat transfer fluid, which has substantially the temperature level
of the heat source.
[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the
control/regulating device in the at least one displaceable valve
device of the valve system is able to set an operating state in
which the heat transfer fluid circuit forms a second partial
circuit. In this second partial circuit the heat transfer fluid
circulates between the thermochemical reactor and the first heat
tank so that heat is transferred from the first heat tank, that is
to say from the heat source into the thermochemical reactor.
[0025] In this operating state, the second partial store preferably
has a maximum volume and the first partial store has a minimum
volume. This means that the second partial store is filled with the
heat transfer fluid, which has substantially the temperature level
of the heat sink.
[0026] In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the
control/regulating device in the at least one displaceable valve
device of the valve system is able to set an operating state in
which heat transfer fluid is transported from the first partial
store of the temporary heat store into the first heat tank. At the
same time, heat transfer fluid is transported from the first heat
tank into the thermochemical reactor and heat transfer fluid is
transported from the thermochemical reactor into the second partial
store. In this way, heat may be introduced into the thermoelectric
reactor particularly effectively in order to raise the temperature
from a low level to a higher level. In the following text, this
process will therefore be referred to as the heating process.
[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the
control/regulating device in the at least one displaceable valve
device of the valve system is able to set an operating state in
which heat is transported from the second partial store to the
second heat tank by means of the heat transfer fluid. At the same
time, heat is transported from the second heat tank into the
thermochemical reactor and from the thermochemical reactor into the
first partial store by means of the heat transfer fluid. In this
way, heat may be removed from the thermoelectric reactor
particularly effectively in order to lower the temperature from a
high level to a lower level. In the following text, this process
will therefore be referred to as the cooling process.
[0028] In an advantageous further development, the first and the
second heat tanks as well as the thermochemical reactor are each
equipped with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet to enable the heat
transfer fluid to be introduced into them and discharged therefrom.
In this variant, the heat transfer fluid circuit comprises a first
displaceable valve device, by means of which the fluid inlet of the
thermochemical reactor may be connected selectively with the fluid
outlet of the first or the second heat tank. In the same way, the
heat transfer fluid circuit comprises a second displaceable valve
device, by means of which the fluid outlet of the thermochemical
reactor may be connected selectively with the fluid inlet of the
second heat tank.
[0029] The temporary heat store is expediently connected
fluidically in parallel with the second valve device, so that the
fluid inlet of the first heat tanks is in fluidic communication
with the first partial store and the fluid inlet of the second heat
tank is in fluidic communication with the second partial store.
[0030] In an advantageous further development, the first valve
device and the second valve device each comprise a
3-port/2-position switching valve.
[0031] The invention further relates to a method for operating an
arrangement, preferably an arrangement such as was described in the
preceding text with a heat transfer fluid circuit in which a
thermochemical reactor, two heat tanks of different temperatures
and a temporary heat store are arranged and are connected to each
other fluidically via a heat transfer fluid circuit.
[0032] The temporary heat store used to carry out the method
according to the invention has two thermally and fluidically
separated partial stores, in which a heat transfer fluid
circulating in the heat transfer fluid circuit may be taken up
thermally and fluidically separately from each other.
[0033] According to the inventive method, for a heating process
heat transfer fluid stored temporarily at a higher temperature is
taken from the first partial store of the temporary heat store and
introduced into the thermochemical reactor via the first heat tank.
At the same time, heat transfer fluid at a lower temperature
discharged from the thermochemical reactor is transported away and
introduced into the second partial store of the temporary heat
store. For a cooling process, heat transfer fluid stored
temporarily at a lower temperature is taken from the second partial
store of the temporary heat store and introduced into the
thermochemical reactor via the second heat tank. At the same time,
heat transfer fluid at a higher temperature discharged from the
thermochemical reactor is transported away and introduced into the
first partial store of the temporary heat store. By using the
temporary heat store which is essential to the invention, heat is
stored temporarily to effect a temperature change and reused for
the respective reciprocal temperature change.
[0034] Further important features and advantages of the invention
will be evident from the subclaims, the drawing and the associated
description of the figures with reference to the drawing.
[0035] Of course, the features presented in the preceding text and
those that will be explained subsequently are usable not only in
the respective described combinations but also in other
combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0036] Preferred embodiments of the invention are represented in
the drawings and will be explained in greater detail in the
following description, in which the same reference signs refer to
identical or similar or functionally equivalent components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] In the schematic drawings:
[0038] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an arrangement according to the invention
in different operating states,
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the construction of the
temporary heat store which is essential to the invention of the
arrangement of FIGS. 1 bis 4,
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a first variant of the temporary heat store of
FIG. 5,
[0041] FIG. 7 shows a second variant of the temporary heat store of
FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] FIG. 1 shows an example of an arrangement 1 according to the
invention, particularly a refrigerating machine or a heat pump. The
arrangement 1 comprises a first heat tank 2a with a first
temperature T.sub.1 and a second heat tank 2b with a second
temperature T.sub.2. The arrangement 1 further comprises a
thermochemical reactor 5 which is or may be connected thermally and
fluidically to the two heat tanks 2a, 2b. For this purpose, the
arrangement 1 comprises a heat transfer fluid circuit 3, in which a
heat transfer fluid F is located for transporting heat between the
two heat tanks 2a, 2b and the thermochemical reactor 5.
[0043] In the present context, the term "thermochemical reactor" is
understood to refer to an apparatus in which transformation
processes are initiated at different temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2
by the introduction and removal of heat--known to the person
skilled in the art as reaction heat or sorption heat. The
thermochemical reactor 5 may include a receptacle 15, only
indicated schematically in the figures, in which thermochemical
reactions take place. The first temperature T.sub.1 has a larger
value than the second temperature T.sub.2, i.e. the first heat tank
2a functions as the heat source, from which heat may be transferred
to the thermochemical reactor 5 by means of the heat transfer fluid
F. In contrast, the second heat tank 2b functions as a heat sink,
to which heat may be transferred from the thermochemical reactor 5
by means of the heat transfer fluid F.
[0044] A temporary heat store 100 is also present in the heat
transfer fluid circuit 3 for temporarily storing the heat transfer
fluid F. The temporary heat store 100 cooperates with the two heat
tanks 2a, 2b to enable a temperature change of the thermochemical
reactor 5 from temperature T.sub.1 to temperature T.sub.2 and vice
versa with very low energy losses.
[0045] The construction of the temporary heat store 100 is shown in
a detail schematic representation in FIG. 5. According to FIG. 5,
the temporary heat store 100 includes a first partial store 101a
with variable storage volume 102a, and a second partial store 101b
with variable storage volume 102b which is thermally and
fluidically separated from therefrom. The volume-variable first
partial store 101a of the temporary heat store 100 is constructed
to complement the volume-variable second partial store 101b, so
that the overall volume contained by the two partial stores 101a,
101b is constant.
[0046] The temporary heat store 100 may also be described as a
short duration sensible heat store, a regenerator or a temperature
variator and constitutes a component of arrangement 1 that is
essential to the invention, being indispensable for enabling
temperature change with low energy losses to be made at all in the
thermochemical reactor 5.
[0047] The temporary heat store 100 is designed to be able to take
up and discharge a first and a second fluid mass of the heat
transfer fluid F at different temperatures simultaneously. The
temporary heat store 100 is also designed to take up and discharge
the first and a second fluid mass of the heat transfer fluid F
simultaneously wherein the two masses have different temperature
levels. The temporary heat store 100 is further designed in such
manner that temperature stratifications introduced in the flow
direction are preserved for the period between the delivery of
fluid masses to the store and their removal therefrom.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first partial store 101a of
the temporary heat store 100 is connected fluidically to the first
heat tank 2a. On the other hand, the second partial store 101b of
the temporary heat store 100 connected fluidically to the second
heat tank 2b.
[0049] The functional principle of the temporary heat store 100 is
based on a thermally insulated fluid container with apertures at
the ends thereof and a large length to cross-section ratio within
which an displaceable insulating separating element is arranged, as
is shown schematically in FIG. 5.
[0050] In the exemplary scenario of FIG. 5, the temporary heat
store 100 is embodied as receptacle 103. This receptacle 103
comprises a housing 104. The housing 104 delimits an interior space
107 in which a dividing element 106 is arranged movably and which
isolates the two partial stores 101a, 101b from each other
thermally and fluidically. The dividing element 106 divides the
interior space 107 into a volume-variable first partial store 101a
and a second partial store 101b which is also volume-variable and
is isolated thermally and fluidically from the first partial store
101a. Dividing element 106 of the temporary heat store 100 is
advantageously designed such that it is easily movable due to
pressure differences between the partial stores and efficiently
seals the two partial stores off from each other.
[0051] As the figures show, the thermochemical reactor 5 and the
temporary heat store 100 are each equipped with separate
receptacles 15 and 103 respectively.
[0052] As may be seen in FIG. 5, a first aperture 108a is present
in the housing 104 to deliver the heat transfer fluid F at
temperature T.sub.1 into the first partial store 101a and remove it
from the first partial store 101a. The housing 104 further has a
second aperture 108b to deliver the heat transfer fluid F at
temperature T.sub.2 into the second partial store 101b and remove
it from the second partial store 101b.
[0053] The housing 104 is embodied as a tubular body 105 which
extends linearly in an axial direction A. The dividing element 106
lies against the inner side 112 of a circumferential wall 111 of
the tubular body 105 to form the two volume-variable partial stores
101a, 101b and is movable in the axial direction A. The first
aperture 108a is located on a first longitudinal end 109a. The
second aperture 108b is located on a second longitudinal end 109b
opposite the first longitudinal end 109a.
[0054] As is illustrated in FIG. 5, when the dividing element 106
is positioned in the extreme left position, that is to say t at the
first aperture 108a, the temporary heat store 100 may be filled
with "cold" heat transfer fluid F at temperature T.sub.2. The
dividing element 106 may be displaced to the right, towards the
second aperture 108b by hot heat transfer fluid F at temperature
T.sub.1 flowing in from the left through the first aperture 108a,
so that the temporary heat store 100 is filled with heat transfer
fluid F at temperature T.sub.1. At the same time, heat transfer
fluid F at temperature T.sub.2 is discharged to the right through
the second aperture 108b until the dividing element 106 is
positioned at the second aperture 108b and the heat transfer fluid
F at temperature T.sub.2 has been entirely displaced by the hot
heat transfer fluid F at temperature T.sub.1 without mixing
therewith.
[0055] A first sensor element 110a is provided at the first
aperture, with which it is possible to determine whether the
dividing element 106 is in a first end position, in which it is at
a minimum distance from the first aperture 108a. In similar manner,
a second sensor element 110b is provided at the second aperture
108b, with which it is possible to determine whether the dividing
element 106 is in a second end position, in which it is at a
minimum distance from the second aperture 108b.
[0056] If one then considers FIG. 1 again, it may be seen that a
transport device 8 is provided in the heat transfer fluid circuit 3
to propel the heat transfer fluid F around the heat transfer fluid
circuit 3.
[0057] The heat transfer fluid circuit 3 is also equipped with a
valve system 9 which comprises a first displaceable valve device
10a and a second displaceable valve device 10b. It is possible to
adjust and consequently also control the transport of heat between
the two heat tanks 2a, 2b, the thermochemical reactor 5 and the
temporary heat store 100 by means of the two valve devices 10a,
10b. A control/regulating device 4 which cooperates with the valve
devices 10a, 10b is provided for controlling the valve devices 10a,
10b of the valve system 9.
[0058] The first and the second heat tanks 2a, 2b and the
thermochemical reactor 5 each have a fluid inlet 11a, 11b, 11c for
introducing the heat transfer fluid F and a fluid outlet 12a, 12b,
12c for discharging the heat transfer fluid.
[0059] The fluid inlet 11b of the thermochemical reactor 5 may be
connected selectively to the fluid outlet 12a, 12c of the first or
second heat tank 2a, 2b by means of the first displaceable valve
device 10a. The fluid outlet 12b of the thermochemical reactor 5
may be connected selectively to the fluid inlet 11a, 11c of the
first or second heat tank 2a, 2b by means of the second
displaceable valve device 10b.
[0060] As may further be seen in FIG. 1, the temporary heat store
100 is fluidically connected in parallel with the second valve
device 10b, so that the fluid inlet 1 la of the first heat tank 2a
communicates fluidically with the first partial store 101a, and the
fluid inlet 11c of the second heat tank 2b communicates fluidically
with the second partial store. The first valve device 10a and the
second valve device 10b are each designed as 3-port/2-position
switching valves 13a, 13b.
[0061] The following text will now describe a complete thermal
cycle of the thermochemical reactor 5, in which the thermochemical
reactor 5 is switched between a first state with temperature
T.sub.1 of the first heat tank 2a and a second state with
temperature T.sub.2 of the second heat tank 2b.
[0062] The two valve devices 10a, 10b of the valve system 9 may be
shifted into an operating state shown schematically in FIG. 1 by
the control/regulating device 4. In this operating state, the first
partial store 101a has a maximum volume and the second partial
store 101b has a minimal volume, i.e., the first partial store 101a
of the temporary heat store 100 is filled with heat transfer fluid
F at temperature T.sub.1 and the second partial store 101b is
empty. In this operating state, the heat transfer fluid circuit 3
forms a first partial circuit 14a, in which the heat transfer fluid
F circulates between the thermochemical reactor 5 and the second
heat tank 2b. In this operating state, the heat transfer fluid F
transfers heat from the thermochemical reactor 5 to the second heat
tank 2b, i.e., heat is taken out of the thermochemical reactor 5.
As a consequence of this transport of heat from the thermochemical
reactor 5 into the second heat tank 2b, reaction heat of the
thermochemical reactor 5 is directed away to the second heat tank
at temperature T.sub.2.
[0063] As the thermal cycling progresses, the thermochemical
reactor 5 is then switched into a state with temperature T.sub.1 of
the first heat tank 2a. In order to switch the thermochemical
reactor into a state with temperature T.sub.1, the two valve
devices 10a, 10b are first shifted into an operating state shown in
FIG. 2 by the control/regulating device 4. In the operating state
shown in FIG. 2, the two valve devices 10a, 10b are adjusted in
such manner that heat transfer fluid F is transported from the
first partial store 101a of the temporary heat store 100 into the
first heat tank 2a. Heat transfer fluid F is also transported from
the first heat tank 2a into the thermochemical reactor 5. In
addition, heat transfer fluid F is transported from the
thermochemical reactor 5 into the second partial store 101b. In
this operating state, the first partial store 101a of the temporary
heat store 100 is full of heat transfer fluid F at temperature
T.sub.1 and the second partial store 101b is full of heat transfer
fluid F at temperature T.sub.2. In this operating state, the
temperature of the thermochemical reactor is raised from T.sub.2 to
T.sub.1, without removing a significant amount of heat from the
heat source 2a.
[0064] As soon as the heat transfer fluid F stored temporarily in
the first partial store 101a of the temporary heat store 100 has
been completely removed from the temporary heat store 100, the
dividing element 106 is located in the aforementioned first end
position, which may be detected by the control/regulating device 4
by means of the first sensor element 110a.
[0065] Then, the two valve devices 10a, 10b are switched to an
operating state as represented schematically in FIG. 3 by the
control/regulating device 4.
[0066] In the operating state as represented schematically in FIG.
3, the heat transfer fluid circuit 3 forms a second partial circuit
14b, in which the heat transfer fluid F circulates between the
thermochemical reactor 5 and the first heat tank 2a. In this way,
heat transfer fluid F is transported from the first heat tank 2a to
the thermochemical reactor. In this operating state, heat is
transferred from the first heat tank to the thermochemical reactor
5. In this operating state, the second partial store 101b has a
maximum volume and the first partial store 101a has a minimum
volume, i.e., the second partial store 101b of the temporary heat
store 100 is filled with heat transfer fluid F at temperature
T.sub.2 and the first partial store 101b is empty. In this
operating state, heat transfer fluid is transferred to the
thermochemical reactor via the heat tank at temperature level
T.sub.1.
[0067] Then, the two valve devices 10a, 10b are switched to an
operating state as represented schematically in FIG. 4 by the
control/regulating device 4. In the operating state represented in
FIG. 4, both valve devices 10a, 10b are set in such manner that
heat is transported from the second partial store 101b into the
second heat tank 2b by means of the heat transfer fluid F. At the
same time, heat from the thermochemical reactor 5 is transported
into the first partial store 101a of the temporary heat store 100.
In this operating state, the temperature of the thermochemical
reactor is reduced from T.sub.1 to T.sub.2 without a significant
quantity of heat being direct to the heat sink 2b.
[0068] As soon as the heat transfer fluid F stored temporarily in
the second partial store 101b of the temporary heat store 100 has
been completely removed from the temporary heat store 100, the
dividing element 106 is located in the aforementioned second end
position, which may be detected by the control/regulating device 4
with the aid of the second sensor element 110b. In this state, the
first partial store 101a is completely full of heat transfer fluid
F (see FIG. 1). The two valve devices 10a, 10b are switched back to
the operating state shown in FIG. 1 by the control/regulating
device 4 and one complete switching cycle of the thermochemical
reactor 5 is complete.
[0069] FIG. 6 shows a further development of the receptacle 103 of
FIG. 5. In the receptacle 103 of FIG. 6, a spiral structure 113 is
disposed in the interior space 107 of the housing 104. This spiral
structure 113 lends the interior space 107 the geometry of a fluid
duct 114 with spiral geometry. The fluid duct 114 is delimited by
the spiral structure 113 and by the housing 104, particularly the
circumferential wall 111 thereof. The spiral structure 103 may be
embodied as an insert 115 disposed in the interior space. The
spiral structure 113 may comprise at least ten windings 116,
preferably even at least 20 windings. The dividing element 106 is
designed so as to be displaceable, particularly slidable along the
spiral fluid duct 114. This means that the geometrical shape of the
dividing element 106 is selected such that it is displaceable along
the fluid duct 114 in the interior space 107 which is delimited by
the circumferential wall 111 and the spiral structure 113.
[0070] FIG. 7 shows a further variant of the example in FIG. 5, in
which the receptacle 103 is embodied as a hose-like body 117 which
extends in an extension direction E, at least sections of which are
not non-linear. In this variant, the dividing element 106 lies
against the inner side 112 of the circumferential wall 111 of the
hose-like body 117 and is movable along it in the extension
direction E to form the two volume-variable partial stores 101a,
101b. This variant enables the creation of an arrangement of the
receptacle 103 which is particularly compact in terms of space. A
length of the housing 104 or the hose-like body 117 measured along
the extension direction E is preferably at least ten times, more
preferably at least twenty times greater than a transverse
direction Q measured transversely to the extension direction E.
* * * * *