Charging and/or Discharging System and Method for Charging and/or Discharging a Thermal Energy Storage with an Insert in an Interior Region of a Diffuser

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This patent describes a system and method for charging and/or discharging a thermal energy storage unit, specifically using a special insert with defined flow resistance within a diffuser connection region. The insert, such as a bidirectional Borda mouthpiece, is designed to create a higher flow resistance than the connected liquid line, ensuring well-controlled layering (stratification) of fluids (such as water) during energy storage or retrieval. This leads to efficient thermal layering and minimizes undesired mixing, which is crucial for the effectiveness of large-scale hot or cold water storage systems.

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• Large-scale thermal energy storage systems in heating or cooling plants for buildings, campuses, or industrial facilities.
• District heating and cooling systems requiring efficient storage and retrieval of hot or cold water.
• Thermal energy storage solutions for renewable energy integration, such as storing excess heat from solar or waste-heat sources.
• Cold storage systems used in air conditioning or process cooling with high demands for stratification and efficiency.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improves thermal stratification, maximizing the usable energy in thermal storage tanks.
• Reduces undesired mixing of hot and cold layers, increasing system efficiency and energy savings.
• Enables quick charging and discharging of large fluid volumes with controlled flow patterns.
• Bidirectional operation allows for both filling and emptying with stable performance.
• Can be implemented in both hot and cold water storage systems.
• Stabilizes fluid flows and minimizes turbulence via special shaped inserts and disturbances, reducing maintenance and operational issues.

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Patent Abstract

Charging and/or discharging system comprises an insert arranged in a diffuser connecting region and having a flow resistance which is higher than the flow resistance of a liquid line (10, 11, 12, 13). An independent claim is also included for a method for charging and/or discharging a thermal energy storage unit. Preferred Features: The diffuser connecting region has a cylindrical flange for joining the diffuser (5, 6) to the liquid line. The insert is arranged in the flange. The insert comprises a bidirectional mouth.