Device and system for storing thermal energy

Abstract

A device is provided for the temporary storage of thermal energy with a solid storage medium and a pipe system made of individual pipes. The pipe system extends through the solid storage medium and an energy transfer medium flows through the pipe system. The solid storage medium and the pipe system being mechanically decoupled from one another.

1 . A device for the temporary storage of thermal energy comprising:
 a solid storage medium;   a pipe system formed of a plurality of individual pipes, the pipe system extending through the solid storage medium; and   an energy transfer medium flowing through the pipe system,   wherein the solid storage medium and the pipe system are mechanically decoupled from one another.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a gap is provided in each case between the solid storage medium and an individual pipe for mechanical decoupling. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein, to produce the gap, a meltable material is temporarily arranged on an outer sheath of the individual pipes. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the meltable material is formed of a plastic, a polyethylene, or a polypropylene, or a plastic with similar properties, or of a metal with a low melting point, preferably tin or zinc. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the gap has a width of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a gap, which is filled permanently with a heat-conducting material is provided in each case between the solid storage medium and an individual pipe for mechanical decoupling. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the heat-conducting material is graphite, preferably expanded graphite. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the heat-conducting material is arranged as a coating on a surface of the individual pipes, preferably as a film. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the thickness of the heat-conducting material is between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and is preferably 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid storage medium includes concrete or fiber concrete. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the concrete is made with a water-cement value greater than 0.5. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid storage medium has areas with a higher permeability than the other areas or hollow spaces. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual pipes are arranged with a lateral distance in several plane-parallel levels, whereby the individual pipes of a level run congruent or with a lateral offset to the individual pipes of a neighboring level. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the individual pipes of a level have a mutual distance between 30 mm and 250 mm, preferably of about 120 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the levels have a mutual distance between 30 mm and 250 mm, preferably of about 70 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pipe system at an end side in each case is closed with a front plate, which is provided with through-openings into which the ends of the individual pipes open. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the front plates are arranged at a clearance to the solid storage medium. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein at an outer side of the front plates, facing away from the solid storage medium, half-shells are attached, which together with the front plates form channels into which the individual pipes open in groups in each case via the openings. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid storage medium is substantially surrounded by thermal insulation. 
     
     
         20 . A system for the temporary storage of thermal energy having at least two heat accumulators, which have in series or parallel an energy transfer medium therein, each heat accumulator comprising:
 a solid storage medium; and   a pipe system formed of a plurality of individual pipes, the pipe system extending through the solid storage medium;   wherein the energy transfer medium flows through the pipe system, and   wherein the solid storage medium and the pipe system are mechanically decoupled from one another   
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein at least two heat accumulators are connected in series to form a line, and wherein the individual pipes, assigned to each other, of the heat accumulator are connected to one another by moldable connecting pipes or flexible connecting tubes.