| 摘要 |
Thermal storage apparatus (81) for storing and returning thermal energy to a heat transfer fluid passing through the apparatus, comprising two or more thermal stores (82,84) connected in parallel with each other,each comprising fluid-permeable thermal storage media disposed in a chamber for transferring thermal energy to or from the fluid, and, flow controllers (86,88) for selectively altering the flow path of the fluid through the apparatus,wherein the apparatus is operable in different respective flow modes, wherein in at least one flow mode the apparatus is operable in alternative phases of charging and discharging as the nature of the incoming heat transfer fluid changes, and at least one store is selectively configured to perform the charging while at least one other store is selectively configured to perform the discharging, thereby minimising switching of those individual stores between charging and discharging in that flow mode and the associated thermal front reversals. Such an arrangement is useful where the apparatus is subjected to successive part charge or discharge cycles. |
