Abstract: A quantity of aluminum is in heat exchange contact with a potassium loop and a steam/water loop. The potassium loop includes a solar energy collector and the solar-heated potassium melts the aluminum to store thermal energy as latent heat of fusion. The steam/water loop extracts steam at 1,000.degree. F. as long as at least some of the aluminum is in the molten state. The steam/water loop includes a steam power turbogenerator unit as user; the quantity of aluminum should suffice to yield, upon resolidification, sufficient heat to satisfy the energy demand of the unit during night time.

Abstract: An arrangement for the storage of energy in power plants in which an excess of water during low-load operation is heated in feed water preheaters, and is stored as hot water in a hot storage vessel. During peak-load operation, the hot water from the storage vessel is fed into a feed water line, bypassing the feed water preheaters. Alternately with the hot water, colder water is taken from or stored in the lower portion of the hot storage tank. Before being fed into the hot storage tank, the colder water is thermally degassed with bleeder steam at a pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure, preferably between 1.01 and 1.5 atmospheres (abs). The feed water tank connected to the degasser is used for volume compensation while storing the hot water in the hot water storage tank. The storage tank may be in the form of three units of substantially identical volume. The hot storage tank and the feed water tank used as warm-water storage, are alternately filled and emptied.

Abstract: An arrangement for the storage of energy in power plants to cover peak-load conditions. Hot water is heated in the feed water preheaters and is stored in a hot water storage tank. The tank is filled and emptied alternately, with a tank receiving cold water. The stored hot water is kept at feed water temperature, so that the temperature is uniform throughout the storage tank level. During peak load, the hot water is fed directly into the feed water line behind the high-pressure water preheaters. A steam cushion is maintained above the water surface in the hot-water storage tank to provide pressure and volume balance. The hot-water line leading to the hot-water storage tank, discharges into the feed water line behind the pressure feed water preheaters. A high-pressure feed pump is located behind this junction, and the hot-water storage tank is located underground in a cavern. The steam cushion and the hot-water storage tank may be connected to one of the bleeder lines of the turbine.

Abstract: A hot-gas engine in which the transfer of heat from the heat-source to the meltable material of a heat storage reservoir is effected exclusively indirectly via the working medium in order to prevent overheating, fast corrosion and cracking of the reservoir walls.

Abstract: A solar collector system uses a hexagonal field module of heliostatic mirrors with each heat receptor tower being located outside of its associated module. Each mirror includes a reflecting film held down electrostatically (for easy replacement) and protected by wind guards.

Abstract: An improved process for storing the off-peak electrical output of an electricity generating plant in the form of heat by using said off-peak electrical output to raise the temperature level of a quantity of stored low vapor pressure thermal energy retention material and recalling said stored heat during periods of peak power demand in the form of electrical power, or industrial process heat wherein the excess electrical power, running a compressor (i.e. heat pump), compresses low grade heat containing vapor thereby raising the temperature and said compressed high heat is transferred to a LVP thermal energy retention material, the improvement comprising using as a source of low grade heat the waste heat generated by industrial and/or municipal installation such as refineries, steel mills, incinerators, etc.

Abstract: The excess power from a power station, whether nuclear, fossil fuel, geothermal, solar, etc. is stored in the form of heat in a low vapor pressure thermal energy retention material which is selected from the group consisting of petroleum hydrocarbon distillates having a boiling range of between 500.degree. to 1300.degree. F with a vapor pressure in the temperature range of 500.degree.-650.degree. F not exceeding 1 atm. Low vapor pressure thermal energy retention materials may be heated in any number of ways, for example, directly by turbine extraction steam and primary high pressure steam, or by means of excess volumes of boiler feed water heated by turbine extraction steam and primary high pressure steam, or by direct solar energy or by means of the excess electricity generated by any form of power station.

Abstract: A thermal power plant of the type in which excess energy produced by the plant during off-peak load periods is used to produce compressed air which is then accumulated in a storage tank. The compressed air is withdrawn from storage during peak load periods and delivered to a hot air turbine for generation of additional energy. A heat exchanger is incorporated in he compressed air line leading from the storage tank to the hot air turbine and steam is supplied to the heat exchanger for heating the compressed air prior to delivery to the hot air turbine. Heating steam can be produced by electrically heating water in a storage tank or it can be constituted by bleeder steam taken from an auxiliary steam turbine facility, or it can be taken from a steam storage tank.

Abstract: An improvement in the process for the generation of electrical power in which heat released by exhaust gases derived from the combustion of gaseous products in a coal gasification process is stored and utilized to generated increased electrical power during peak demand periods.

Abstract: A solar heat wave energy system having a solar energy collector that collects energy from the sun to heat a boiler which in turn runs a steam turbine generator for generating electricity during the daytime. The system also has an assembly for generating electricity during the nighttime, which assembly includes a storage structure disposed between the solar collector and the boiler. This storage structure includes a plurality of separate storage stacks, each housed underground and including a plurality of heat conductive pipes interdigitally arranged with a plurality of plates constructed from twice-baked clay and arranged resting on a base formed from a similar clay as the plates. Solar energy is absorbed by the collector and transferred to the storage structure by means of suitable piping for storage in the twice-baked clay plates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for operating power turbomachinery which includes an electromagnetic induction heated, graphite heat storage core adapted to heat compressed fluid for subsequent expansion across a fluid turbine to generate rotary mechanical power output.

Abstract: A method is described for storing the offpeak electrical output of an electricity generating plant in the form of heat by using it to raise the temperature level of a quantity of stored heat retention material and recalling said stored heat during periods of peak power demand in the form of electrical power. During low power demand periods hot water is drawn from a hot water storage means and cooled by flashing it at successively lower pressures. The cold condensate is sent to a cold water storage means while the various flash vapors are fed to appropriate stages of a steam compressor driven by excess power drawn from the electricity generating station. The steam which has been compressed by means of the excess electrical power is directed to heat exchanger means where it is used to heat a low vapor pressure (LVP) thermal energy retention material flowing from cold to hot storage means through the heat exchanger means.

Abstract: In an electric generator capable of producing surplus electrical energy at certain periods, that improvement which comprises utilizing the surplus electrical energy to directly heat an electricity conducting heat storing magma, the magma having passages therethrough for the selective reception of water producing steam during high demand or low energy producing periods to increase the total production of electrical energy.

Abstract: The specification discloses a Solar Power Plant which utilizes a sun-tracking parabolic collector and a plurality of energy storage and conversion devices, all of which are operated under the control of a novel energy management system. Allocation of energy to a particular storage component or to useful output is dependent upon the state of the system as well as the nature of the demand. Outputted energy may also be recaptured and reallocated to minimize losses. Efficiency at the component level is enhanced by the utilization of novel heat exchangers which effectuate complete conversion of the operating liquid to superheated gas.

Abstract: A heat storage unit using salt or a salt mixture. Heat is extracted from the unit by converting water to steam and a series of pipes is provided extending to different depths in the salt. The pipes extend to different heights at the top of the unit so that water first overflows into the pipe extending the shortest distance into the salt. This results in the salt in the unit solidifying from the top downwards, thereby obviating problems caused by molten salt migrating to spaces at the foot of the container caused by contraction of salt on solidification. A heating system uses several such units with electrical heating between the units and pumped circulation of the condensate from the generated steam. An alternative system uses steam generated in such units selectively to drive a turbine for refrigeration equipment in a cooling system or to heat the heat exchange medium in a heating system.

Abstract: A heat engine operating from power derived from the difference in temperatures between, for example, solar heat ambient air and an underground water source. A plurality of enclosed tanks are supported in radially opposed pairs from a framework which is rotatable about a horizontal axis. Each tank has its interior divided by a flexible membrane to provide first and second chambers. The first chamber of each tank contains a liquid propellant, and the two first chambers of each radially opposed pair of tanks are interconnected for fluid communication therebetween. The second chamber of each tank contains a high vapor pressure fluid and is coupled to an evaporator coil positioned adjacent its tank and to a condensor coil positioned adjacent the radially opposite tank. The lower-most tank has its first chamber first coil within a hot reservoir to cause the high vapor pressure fluid to expand, applying pressure to the flexible diaphragm of that tank.

Abstract: A steam turbine power plant having associated therewith a closed loop flow arrangement for extracting heat from the power plant and supplying the extracted heat to an external heat load. Included within the flow arrangement is a predetermined number of heater elements, each of which extracts steam having a predetermined heating capacity associated therewith from a predetermined number of separate locations within the power plant. The heat so extracted is transferred to a heat transfer medium flowing at a predetermined flow rate within the closed loop arrangement. The extracted heat is exchanged to the heat load within a heat exchanger element connected within the flow arrangement. The amount of heat extracted from the power plant is functionally related to, and automatically limited by, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium within the closed loop arrangement. The flow rate of the heat transfer medium is itself functionally related to the flow rate of the motive fluid for the power plant.

Abstract: A receiver for collecting solar energy at high temperatures with low reradiation losses, the invention comprises in a preferred embodiment an insulated cavity absorber wherein a temperature gradient exists from the receiving end of the absorber toward the closed end thereof. The closed end exists at a higher temperature than the receiving end due to the cooling effect of a flow of fluid directed into contact with the walls of the absorber from the receiving end toward the closed end, the fluid being additionally utilized to extract heat from the absorber for utilization thereof.

Abstract: An energy accumulator for storing large quantities of heat in the form of superheated water includes an excavation which is divided into upper and lower compartments by a horizontal diaphragm. The lower compartment is filled with superheated water from a heat source such as a nuclear or other steam generating facility. The water in the lower compartment is maintained in its superheated condition by a heavy mass of water in the upper compartment which applies its weight and pressure through the diaphragm to the superheated water in the lower compartment. Means are provided for drawing the superheated water from the lower compartment to a heat exchanger in which the heat is transmitted to a fluid heat carrying medium which can be pumped to a location where the heat is to be used, such as for urban heating. The circulatory system associated with the superheated water is closed and the mass of water employed in the system is constant.

Abstract: A hot-gas reciprocating engine comprising at least three pistons which each separate a space of lower temperature and a space of higher temperature. Each space of lower temperature is each time connected, via a regenerator and a heat exchanger which is in heat-exchanging contact with a reservoir containing heat-accummulating material, to a space of higher temperature having volume variations which lead in phase as well as to a space of higher temperature having volume variations which lag in phase. The said connections include valves which are operated by means for selectively releasing one of the two connections, each of the pistons co-operating, by way of a drive rod, with a tiltable plate which is mounted on a rotatable shaft.

Abstract: The apparatus described comprises two rotating heat exchangers, which serve as a heat source and a heat sink respectively, and which are designed to act simultaneously as fans. Owing to a very small separation between the annular rotating heat-exchange surfaces, the fans function with extremely low noise. These heat exchangers form a unit with a casing rotatably supported in bearings and their heat-exchange surfaces communicate with the inside of the casing. An expansion engine is located inside the casing and may be designed as a high-speed turbine or as a high-speed displacement motor.

Abstract: The power output from a nuclear power plant or fossil fuel power plant operating under constant reactor (or furnace) and boiler conditions is varied by regulating the rate of turbine extraction steam and primary high pressure steam used to heat boiler feed water (BFW). During periods of low power demand excess extraction steam is drawn off to heat excess quantities of boiler feed water. One portion of the BFW is fed to the boiler while the other portion is used to reheat a low vapor pressure (LVP) organic material which hot material is stored under an inert atmosphere at atmospheric pressure in a high temperature storage location means. During periods of high power demand BFW preheat duties would be taken over entirely by the moving LVP organic material, moving from hot to cold storage location means, use of extraction steam for BFW reheat being curtailed and such untapped extraction steam being allowed instead to expand itself fully in the turbines.

Abstract: A transportable power system, suitable, for example, for powering a vehicle or a transportable machine tool, comprises a storage container for receiving and storing, in liquid form, a working fluid which is nevertheless gaseous at standard temperature and pressure and of non-toxic and/or non-inflammable nature, and self-contained heat supply means together with pump means by which the liquid working fluid is pumped through heat exchange means to convert it to its gaseous form and thence through the heat supply means, which is conveniently a thermal storage unit, wherein the temperature of the gas is raised preparatory to being expanded through means for converting the heat energy of the working fluid into mechanical work. The heat supply means should have a thermal capability sufficient to cause the temperature of the gas to rise to at least 200.degree. C above its critical temperature.

Abstract: The power output from a nuclear power plant or fossil fuel power plant operating under constant reactor (or furnace) and boiler conditions is varied by increasing the turbine extraction steam during low power demand periods for the purpose of using the steam to heat a low vapor pressure organic material and storing such low vapor pressure organic material under atmospheric pressure at high temperature. During periods of high power demand, the extraction rate from the steam turbine is decreased or even discontinued and the stored hot low vapor pressure organic material is used for boiler feed water preheat and interstage steam reheat.

Abstract: A method of producing, storing, modulating and distributing energy, consisting in: storing in tanks of large capacities hot water excesses produced at least during some working periods by thermal and nuclear electric power generating plants and using these hot water excesses according to the needs with the assistance of a hot water injection, recovery equipment, pipe-lines and facility means.

Abstract: The output of at least the lowest-pressure turbo-compressor is connected via the intermediate cooler of the compressor group to the input of the turbo-compressor and a throttling means is placed in the conduit between the compressor output and cooler. The looping of the output to the input is effected to diminish the starting and idling power of the compressor group. Charging of the compressed air storage chamber is prevented by a check valve until the pressure of the pressure chamber is exceeded in the compressor group.

Abstract: A geothermal power device including typically a volcanic plug basalt rock geothermal heat exchange unit and a source of a high temperature thermal energy source connected to a gas generator vessel and passing through and through interior space of the generator vessel through isolated flow high pressure conduits surrounded by liquid sodium in communication with a separate high pressure conduit passing through the vessel having ammonia flowing therethrough in isolation from the sodium, and the ammonia carrying conduit being connected to feed a high pressure turbine, effluent from the high pressure turbine in a gaseous state being fed to an intermediate superheater with relatively high pressure coils extending through superheater interior space also containing liquid sodium and also having a high pressure conduit passing therethrough connected to the geothermal energy source, superheated ammonia from the intermediate superheater being fed to a low pressure turbine followed by a condenser and a liquid pump return

Abstract: A body of water is confined in a closed vessel and heated to above 100.degree.C. This water is then drawn in a liquid state from this vessel and passed through a first expander where it is separated into steam and condensate. The steam from this first expander is used to drive the first stage of a load and the condensate is passed to another expander where it is again transformed into steam and condensate, the steam being used to drive the second stage of the load. Several such expanders are provided and the condensate from the last expander is fed to a low-pressure storage vessel. The high-pressure vessel is filled almost to the top with water during periods of low power consumption and the water is drawn off during peak-power periods. Superheaters may be provided in the outlet conduits of the expanders and the water at above 100.degree.C may be fed directly into the lower-pressure expanders to maintain their operating efficiency.

Abstract: In a solar heat collecting and storage system in which mirrors reflect sunlight on a heat storing material such as a pile of pebbles, with air being drawn into the pile of pebbles so the heat accumulating on the surface of the pile is drawn into the center of the pile of pebbles, is located an artificial light of the correct color so that it will produce crop growth. When the sun is not shining the mirrors, that have been used to collect solar heat, are used to reflect this artificial light over growing crops and thus produce crop yields greater than normal.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system for converting a fluid such as water, into a superheated vapor for driving a turbine includes an energy storage device for storing thermal energy from the vapor to be utilized should the pressure of the vapor fall below a predetermined value. The energy storage device includes a storage tank having a plurality of stacked vertical compartments containing metallic spheres filled with metal alloy for storing the thermal energy therein and a fluid reservoir below the stacked compartments.

Abstract: Installation for producing motive power, operating on a hybrid cycle of gas and vapor such as steam. The installation has a heat accumulator for storing a heat-exchange fluid which can also act as a fluid fuel for a heat source adapted to heat the fluid of the heat accumulator. Heat can be drawn from the accumulator in the form of a flow of hot fluid, for use as required by a motive power producing machine which may be a vapor turbine. Fluid can also be drawn from the accumulator, to act as a fuel for the heat source, supplementary fluid being supplied to the accumulator to make up for the amount drawn off, whereby the accumulator contents are continuously renewed, to reduce thermal decomposition of the fluid fuel. The heat source can be a gas turbine for producing a basic power output, the turbine exhaust gases being used to heat the heat-exchange fluid by way of a heatexchanger connected to the heat accumulator.

Abstract: A gas dissociation solar thermal power system in which SO.sub.3 in a solar furnace is heated by a sun ray reflector. The SO.sub.3 dissociates into SO.sub.2 + O.sub.2 + absorption of heat. The SO.sub.2 + O.sub.2 gas is directed through a salt-heat chamber where it recombines into SO.sub.3 and gives off heat. The SO.sub.3 is directed back to the solar furnace and repeats the cycle. Useful heat is taken from the salt-heat chamber for operation of an electrical generator or other desired equipment.

Abstract: A lens is used to concentrate solar rays to heat an expansible fluid. Energy is extracted from the fluid to drive an electric current generator. The heated fluid may first pass through a heat sink to provide a more continuous flow of heated fluid to the current generating system. The lens itself may be biconvex and comprise two or more plates. If desired, the volume between the plates may be filled with a fluid, preferably having the same index of refraction as the material of the plates. Suitable apparatus may be provided to control the aximuth and bearing of the lens so that it is always situated as nearly as possible between the sun and the fluid container.

Abstract: Fossil fuels such as coal or oil are gasified by treatment under superatmospheric pressures with oxygen containing gasifying agents to produce a primary gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The primary gas is desulfurized and converted in increasing portion into methanol which is stored as the load on the power plant increases. An increasing proportion of the stored methanol is used in addition to desulfurized primary gas in the power plant as the load on the power plant increases.

Abstract: The rotary closed parallel cycle engine system consists of multiple rotary units which are mounted together axially for a combined power output.The rotary units follow a modified Stirling cycle with each eccentric rotor and multi-vaned unit independent from adjacent units, so that gas leakage in any one unit does not disable the engine system.Heat transfer is accomplished by a large number of small diameter transfer tubes formed into wide loops on either side of the engine units.Hydrogen is the internal working gas, and hydrogen is also advocated as the engine fuel source.

Abstract: In a system for converting heat energy to mechanical energy, a working fluid is vaporized and then permitted to expand in an expander. The vaporized working fluid is introduced to a condenser including a container and a conduit for guiding the working fluid through the container. A condensing medium in a generally solid state is disposed in the container in contact with the conduit to absorb heat from and thereby condense the working fluid. In response to the absorbed heat, the condensing medium liquifies, in which state it can be supercooled at ambient temperatures and stored for an extended period of time. The supercooled condensing medium can be triggered at a predetermined time to release the absorbed heat to the system. The provision of a super-coolable condensing medium in the condenser minimizes the heat loss thus providing a significant increase in the overall efficiency of the system.

Abstract: To simplify control, decrease start-up time and improve efficiency, a heat storage device is provided connected to receive hot combustion gases from a burner, the heat storage device preferably including a vessel which contains a substance changing in phase between solid and liquid, and being heated by the exhaust gases from the burner. A heat pipe is in heat transfer relation to the substance, extending in a predetermined direction, and ducts, pipes or conduits conducting the combustion gases from the burner extend in parallel to the heat pipe, through the substance, or surrounding a vessel containing the substance. Preferably a group of heat storage units are joined to common inlet and outlet manifolds connecting combustion gases, arranged such that the flow speed of combustion gases further downstream is higher than that further upstream, to equalize heat transfer and hence storage capability and storage times of the individual units.