摘要 |
In a process for achieving heat exchange in a latent heat store 10, between a heat storage medium 14 and a heat vehicle medium 37, by way of a heat transfer surface 30 separating the two media, the heat storage medium 14 (e.g. a grit) is brought into a fluidized state by a fluidizing medium e.g. a paraffin oil 16 (or air or an inert gas, Fig. 3) which is substantially immiscible with the heat storage medium. A temperature sensor 39 may control a pump 20 to regulate the degree of fluidization. The heat vehicle medium 37 may be a water-glycol mixture circulated through a solar heat collector 36 or through the evaporator of a heat pump (e.g. 56, Fig. 2). The heat store 10 may provide heat for a heating or hot water system (e.g. via a circuit 40, 42, 44). Supplementary heat for the heat store may be provided by an electric heater 48 or by an oil burner (.e.g. 70, Fig. 2) in the circuit 40, 42, 44. <IMAGE> |