Flat-Bottom Tank with Floating Deck for Thermal Energy Storage

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The patent describes a thermal energy storage system designed as a flat-bottomed tank that uses a fluid as the storage medium. A special floating cover with a flexible seal is placed between the tank bottom and the roof, separating the fluid from the atmosphere and providing pressure compensation. The system enables efficient loading and unloading of thermal energy by evenly distributing the fluid via diffusers.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Large-scale heat storage in renewable energy plants (e.g., solar or wind power integration)
• District heating networks for storing surplus heat
• Industrial waste heat recovery and storage
• Backup heat supply for critical facilities
• Thermal buffering in power plants to balance energy supply and demand

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enhanced thermal insulation and reduced energy losses due to floating cover and seals
• Efficient pressure compensation minimizes structural stress and improves safety
• Minimized vapor and gas emissions to the environment
• Adaptable for storing large volumes of thermal energy at different temperatures
• Facilitates efficient heat exchange and storage management through diffuse fluid distribution

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal energy storage in the form of a flat-bottom tank using a fluid as storage medium, with a storage bottom, a closed circumferential storage wall and a storage roof, which according to the invention has a floating deck between the storage bottom and the storage roof, which is arranged by means of a flexible seal between storage wall and floating deck and seals the fluid as well as gases and vapors in an annular space, which is protected by at least one flexible lip, between floating deck and the storage wall against the storage roof and the environment, wherein a roof space exists between the floating deck and the storage bottom and the roof space and/or the annular space and/or the fluid are pressure-equalized to the environment and the charging and discharging is realized by means of fluid exchange via at least one upper diffuser on the floating deck and at least one lower diffuser.