Integration of an energy storage device with a separate thermal process

摘要

The present invention relates to methods of integrating one or more thermal processes with one another, wherein the thermal processes to be integrated have different supply and demand criteria for thermal energy. The method involves the use of one or more thermal stores.

主权项

1. A method for integrating a first thermal process and a second thermal process, wherein the rate of heat transfer from the first thermal process is different from the rate of heat transfer to the second thermal process, the method comprising:
providing a first thermal store; managing receipt of first thermal energy by the first thermal store by charging the first thermal store with the first thermal energy from the first thermal process by transferring the first thermal energy to the first thermal store at a first rate of energy transfer; and managing a supply of the stored first thermal energy by the first thermal store by discharging the first thermal store by transferring the stored first thermal energy from the first thermal store to components of the second thermal process at a second rate of energy transfer, wherein the second rate is different from the first rate, wherein the first thermal store is an asymmetric thermal store comprising a first thermal mass, a second thermal mass and a third thermal mass, wherein aspect ratios of at least two of the first, second and third thermal masses are different to one another and wherein an arrangement of conduits and valves is such that the thermal masses can be isolated from each other; and wherein the steps of charging and discharging the first thermal store comprise passing a heat transfer fluid through a combination of one or more of the thermal masses.