Abstract: A single-phase fluid (SPF) storage is introduced for desalination of high-salt water using thermal energy from a concentrated solar power (CSP) unit. The SPF having a specific volumetric enthalpy higher than that of water at critical point in the operating ranges from 20 to 300 bar in pressure and 190 to 400 C in temperature is used as a new type of thermal energy storage (TES) medium and heat transfer fluid (HTF). It produces wet steam of a quality required by the desalination unit generating both steam for utilization of latent heat and condensate for sensible heat when its pressure is reduced to lower operating pressures. With a MED-TVC unit by using the steam as motive steam, the capacity of the CSP unit and SPF storage can be reduced as much as the energy recycled in the desalination unit.

Abstract: A single-phase fluid (SPF) storage is introduced for desalination of high-salt water using thermal energy from a concentrated solar power (CSP) unit. The SPF having a specific volumetric enthalpy higher than that of water at critical point in the operating ranges from 20 to 300 bar in pressure and 190 to 400 C in temperature is used as a new type of thermal energy storage (TES) medium and heat transfer fluid (HTF). It produces wet steam of a quality required by the desalination unit generating both steam for utilization of latent heat and condensate for sensible heat when its pressure is reduced to lower operating pressures. With a MED-TVC unit by using the steam as motive steam, the capacity of the CSP unit and SPF storage can be reduced as much as the energy recycled in the desalination unit.

Abstract: Ice slurry is manufactured in direct contact heat transfer in a tank comprising a layer of heavy solvent, of water dissolving a freezing point depressant, of ice slurry, and of light solvent. The heavy solvent is heavier in density than water, and the light solvent lighter than ice. The heavy solvent, water, and light solvent are immiscible with each other. The freezing point depressant is insoluble in the heavy and light solvents. The light solvent is chilled in a chiller, and injected into the heavy solvent layer, where bubbles of light solvent are generated without ice clogging. The cold liquid bubbles ascending through the water layer produce ice. Ice slurry is continuously withdrawn below the light solvent layer. The light solvent side of the chiller is coated with a hydrophobic coating material to prevent formation of sessile ice particles of the undissolving water molecules from the light solvent.

Abstract: Two sensible thermal energy storage (STES) systems in multiple chambers containing molten eutectic salts have been devised for use at temperatures above 565° C. For the first type, the thermal energy of low specific heat of an immiscible gaseous heat transfer fluid (HTF) at temperatures above 900° C. is readily converted to dispatchable heat of high specific heat in the molten eutectic salt liquid layers operating at high temperatures, which can again produce a gaseous HTF at a constant temperature of 700° C. or higher for the lower electricity generation capacities. For the second type, the molten eutectic salt liquids are used as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium and also a HTF at temperatures above 700° C. for the higher electricity generation capacities. These STES systems provide an effective cushion against the disturbances of heat supply from the sun.

Abstract: Two sensible thermal energy storage (STES) systems in multiple chambers containing molten eutectic salts have been devised for use at temperatures above 565° C. For the first type, the thermal energy of low specific heat of an immiscible gaseous heat transfer fluid (HTF) at temperatures above 900° C. is readily converted to dispatchable heat of high specific heat in the molten eutectic salt liquid layers operating at high temperatures, which can again produce a gaseous HTF at a constant temperature of 700° C. or higher for the lower electricity generation capacities. For the second type, the molten eutectic salt liquids are used as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium and also a HTF at temperatures above 700° C. for the higher electricity generation capacities. These STES systems provide an effective cushion against the disturbances of heat supply from the sun.

Abstract: Ice slurry is manufactured in direct contact heat transfer in a tank comprising a layer of heavy solvent, of water dissolving a freezing point depressant, of ice slurry, and of light solvent. The heavy solvent is heavier in density than water, and the light solvent lighter than ice. The heavy solvent, water, and light solvent are immiscible with each other. The freezing point depressant is insoluble in the heavy and light solvents. The light solvent is chilled in a chiller, and injected into the heavy solvent layer, where bubbles of light solvent are generated without ice clogging. The cold liquid bubbles ascending through the water layer produce ice. Ice slurry is continuously withdrawn below the light solvent layer. The light solvent side of the chiller is coated with a hydrophobic coating material to prevent formation of sessile ice particles of the undissolving water molecules from the light solvent.

Abstract: For a latent thermal energy storage (LTES) system comprising phase change material (PCM) slurry, it is problematic to recover thermal energy by crystallizing out solid components from slurry mixtures. It is because the solidifying components form a solid layer of low thermal conductivity on the heat transfer surfaces making heat transfer inefficient. This invention allows an effective thermal energy recovery readily achievable by using gaseous or liquid bubbles of immiscible heat transfer fluid (HTF) in close contact with the phase change material (PCM) slurry mixtures. The circulating immiscible HTF, free of solidifying components, is used for releasing thermal energy through cold heat transfer surfaces to the heat users. A process comprising a multi-chamber LTES system has been devised for applications in the concentrated solar power (CSP) plants using a PCM binary slurry of Li2CO3 and Na2CO3 as a heat storage medium and CO2 gas as an immiscible HTF.