Patents Assigned to UTRF
  • Publication number: 20220042718
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for high-efficiency thermal storage with a fluid-filled “battery” tank positioned within a fluid-filled “reservoir” tank. Fluid loops couple the tanks to a heat pump and a building. The heat pump can charge the battery tank or deliver thermal energy (cold or heat) to a building, using the reservoir tank or ambient air as a thermal energy source. The battery tank can discharge energy to the building jointly with the heat pump or, at periods of peak electricity usage, with the heat pump switched off. Operating modes allow significant savings in electricity usage and mitigate the “duck curve.” Low duty cycle usage of the reservoir enables efficient underground thermal storage with less digging than conventional geothermal technologies. Additional efficiency is achieved with phase change materials installed inside a tank or in a tank wall, providing temperature regulation. Control methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicants: UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF)
    Inventors: Xiaobing Liu, Ming Qu, Joseph K. Warner, Liang Shi
  • Patent number: 7449165
    Abstract: A carbon monolith includes a robust carbon monolith characterized by a skeleton size of at least 100 nm, and a hierarchical pore structure having macropores and mesopores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, UTRF
    Inventors: Sheng Dai, Georges A. Guiochon, Chengdu Liang