Thermal energy storage apparatus, arrangement and method

摘要

A thermal energy storage apparatus adapted to receive heat source input for the development and substantially continuous supply of thermal energy to a Stirling engine for the transfer of said thermal energy to electrical and/or mechanical energy, even during periods when heat source input is intermittent or unavailable for a period of time. The apparatus includes a series of elongate canisters containing silicon metalloid and made of refractory material. The canisters are interlaced with a thermal energy absorbing material in communication with a wicking material to which the Stirling engine is in communication.

主权项

1. A thermal energy storage apparatus adapted to receive heat source input for the development and substantially continuous supply of thermal energy to a Stirling engine for the transfer of said thermal energy to electrical and/or mechanical energy, even during periods when heat source input is intermittent or unavailable for a period of time, said apparatus including:
a main housing block containing a series of elongated refractory canisters made of refractory material, and further containing a thermal energy absorbing material situated about the refractory canisters; said elongated refractory canisters containing an elemental form of silicon material adapted to absorb thermal energy from the thermal energy absorbing material contained within the main housing block; wherein the elemental form of silicon material, upon absorbing thermal energy from the thermal energy absorption material, transforms from a solid to liquid state allowing said elemental form of silicon material to latently or effectively store the thermal energy therein, and wherein the elemental form of silicon material transfers thermal energy back into the thermal energy absorption material when the thermal energy absorption material has a lower temperature than the elemental form of silicon material; the thermal energy storage apparatus further including wicking material in communication with the thermal energy absorption material and with the Stirling engine, such that thermal energy transfer from the thermal energy absorption material into the wicking material registers as a thermal energy input to the Stirling engine to commence the transfer of said thermal energy to workable mechanical and/or electrical energy through the Stirling engine; said elongated refractory canisters each having a cylindrical casing made of refractory material configured to receive the elemental form of silicon material; wherein the thermal energy absorbing material is made up of sintered graphite; and wherein the sintered graphite material is compressed or moulded into elongated rods which are entwined and packed against the respective elongated refractory canisters.