Stabilized thermal energy output system

Abstract

A thermal energy storage system utilizes a high temperature storage segment having flow passages extending through the storage segment whereby a working fluid can extract energy from the storage system for powering conventional downstream equipment. A mixing manifold cooperates with an outlet manifold for reducing the temperature of the working fluid to a temperature safe for the downstream equipment. The mixing manifold, an outlet manifold, an inlet manifold and a support base for the high temperature storage segment, are all of a high temperature tolerant material allowing the high temperature storage segment to operate at temperatures in excess of 1000° C. and preferably to temperatures above 1400° C. The temperature of the working fluid provided to the conventional equipment can be managed to be below a maximum temperature which in many cases may be about 700° C.

1 . A fluid flow mixing manifold for reducing the temperature of a thermal energy transfer fluid, said fluid flow mixing manifold comprising:
 a divided housing that includes a thermal discharge port, a high temperature fluid input port and a cooling fluid mixing input port;   said divided housing including a mixing chamber with said cooling mixing flow input port and said high temperature fluid input port in communication with an input end of said mixing chamber;   said mixing chamber including a series of mixing members that cause the fluid flowing through said mixing chamber to effectively mix as the fluid flows to said thermal discharge port located at an output end of said mixing manifold; and   wherein said fluid flow mixing manifold is designed for operating at temperatures in excess of 1000° C.   
     
     
         2 . A fluid flow mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said series of mixing members are baffles provided in the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         3 . A fluid flow mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said baffles are positioned in said mixing chamber to provide a direct radiation block through said mixing chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A fluid flow mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 1  wherein fluid flow mixing manifold is of a ceramic material. 
     
     
         5 . A fluid flow mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 3  wherein fluid flow mixing manifold is of a ceramic material. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid flow mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mixing manifold includes a controller that monitors the temperature of the mixing manifold adjacent the output;
 said controller including a flow control arrangement for regulating the volume of a cooling mixing flow passing through said input port; 
 said controller further including an arrangement for regulating volume of the thermal energy transfer fluid passing through said high temperature fluid input port; 
 said controller regulating said fluid flows passing through said input ports to cause mixed fluid flow passing through said output port to be at a temperature below approximately 700° C. 
 
     
     
         7 . A fluid mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said controller is used to provide a desired temperature output of the mixed fluid flow. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid flow mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the mixing manifold includes a controller that monitors the temperature of the mixing manifold adjacent the output;
 said controller including a flow control arrangement for regulating the volume of a cooling mixing flow passing through said input port; 
 said controller further including an arrangement for regulating volume of the thermal energy transfer fluid passing through said high temperature fluid input port; 
 said controller regulating said fluid flows passing through said input ports to cause mixed fluid flow passing through said output port to be at a temperature below approximately 700° C. 
 
     
     
         9 . A fluid flow mixing manifold as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the mixing manifold includes a controller that monitors the temperature of the mixing manifold adjacent the output;
 said controller including a flow control arrangement for regulating the volume of a cooling mixing flow passing through said input port; 
 said controller further including an arrangement for regulating volume of the thermal energy transfer fluid passing through said high temperature fluid input port; 
 said controller regulating said fluid flows passing through said input ports to cause mixed fluid flow passing through said output port to be at a temperature below approximately 700° C. 
 
     
     
         10 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit having a high temperature storage segment with a series of heat transfer passages extending there through for energy offloading to a working fluid passing through said heat transfer passages and a series of electrical powered heaters located within said high temperature storage segment for heating thereof; and including a high temperature ceramic base located below and supporting said high temperature storage segment; and wherein said ceramic base includes a top surface in contact with said high temperature storage segment, side walls extending downwardly from said top surface and supporting said top surface along a length thereof; and wherein said base includes two or more cavities between said sidewalls and extending parallel to said length of said top surface; and wherein at least one of said cavities acts as a pathway for distributing said working fluid to an inlet end of said high temperature storage segment. 
     
     
         11 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said side walls are thin relative to a height of said sidewalls and define a restricted heat conduction path between said top surface and a support portion provided at a lower edge of said side walls. 
     
     
         12 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said at least one cavity has at least two adjacent cavities located side by side below said top surface having a common intermediate wall there between extending in the length of said top surface. 
     
     
         13 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said at least one cavity has at least two adjacent cavities located side by side below said top surface having a common intermediate wall there between extending in the length of said top surface. 
     
     
         14 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said at least two adjacent cavities have bottom surfaces extending in the length of said top surface and located at a position intermediate the height of said sidewalls. 
     
     
         15 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 11  including a ceramic inlet manifold at one end of said graphite storage segment forming a working fluid connection between said base and graphite storage segment. 
     
     
         16 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 12  including a ceramic inlet manifold at one end of said graphite storage segment forming a working fluid connection between said base and graphite storage segment. 
     
     
         17 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 15  including a ceramic outlet manifold at an opposite end of said graphite storage segment open to said graphite storage segment and positioned to receive said working fluid and channel said working fluid to a ceramic mixing manifold. 
     
     
         18 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said mixing manifold comprising;
 a divided housing that includes a thermal discharge port, a high temperature fluid input port and a cooling fluid mixing input port; 
 said divided housing including a mixing chamber with said cooling mixing flow input port and said high temperature fluid input port in communication with an input end of said mixing chamber; 
 said mixing chamber including a series of mixing members that cause the fluid flowing through said mixing chamber to effectively mix as the fluid flows to said thermal discharge port located at an output end of said mixing manifold; and 
 wherein said fluid flow mixing manifold is designed for operating at temperatures in excess of 1000° C. 
 
     
     
         19 . In a high temperature thermal storage unit as claimed in  claim 18  in combination with conventional thermal energy power conversion equipment connected to said mixing manifold and powered by said working fluid.