Abstract: Thermal energy storage and recovery methods and systems are provided herein, which utilize a thermal energy storage vessel. The vessel comprises a packed bed of chemically inert particulates exhibiting high thermal conductivity. A gaseous heat transfer fluid (e.g., steam) is fed to the vessel, whereby at least a portion of the fluid condenses on the particulates and transfers latent heat to the particulates. During a heat recovery step, a heat recovery fluid (e.g., air) is fed to the vessel, whereby sensible heat transfers from the particulates to the heat recovery fluid. The warmed heat recovery fluid may then be used to provide required heat for a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method to use high temperature thermal storage for integration into building heating/cooling systems and to meet building's peak power demand. The method can be used to store the thermal energy at any desirable rate and then discharge this stored energy to meet the demand for short or long time intervals. Input energy stored with this method is thermal energy, however, output can be thermal or electric based upon the requirement.

Abstract: Thermal storage systems that preferably do not create substantially any additional back pressure or create minimal additional back pressure and their applications in combined cycle power plants are disclosed. In one embodiment of the method for efficient response to load variations in a combined cycle power plant, the method includes providing, through a thermal storage tank, a flow path for fluid exiting a gas turbine, placing in the flow path a storage medium comprising high thermal conductivity heat resistance media, preferably particles, the particles being in contact with each other and defining voids between the particles in order to facilitate flow of the fluid in a predetermined direction constituting a longitudinal direction, arrangement of the particles constituting a packed bed, dimensions of the particles and of the packed bed being selected such that a resultant back pressure to the gas turbine is at most a predetermined back pressure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing the process of heat and/or mass transfer operations in packed beds and embodiments of applications of the methods are disclosed herein below. In one instance, the method results in the profile of the quantity representative of the heat and/or mass transfer operation having a propagating substantially sharp front.

Abstract: A method to use high temperature thermal storage for integration into building heating/cooling systems and to meet building's peak power demand. The method can be used to store the thermal energy at any desirable rate and then discharge this stored energy to meet the demand for short or long time intervals. Input energy stored with this method is thermal energy, however, output can be thermal or electric based upon the requirement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing the process of heat and/or mass transfer operations in packed beds and embodiments of applications of the methods are disclosed herein below. In one instance, the method results in the profile of the quantity representative of the heat and/or mass transfer operation having a propagating substantially sharp front.