PACKED ROCK BED THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY

摘要

A packed rock bed thermal energy storage facility is provided in the form of a pile of unconstrained rock that is free to expand and contract with changing temperature without creating significant stress. A hot fluid inlet and outlet space is provided above the bed and a cold fluid inlet and outlet space is formed by a grid and larger rocks, or by larger rocks only, that support the pile toward a bottom of the bed. Fluid flow can occur downward through the rock bed during heating of the bed and upward through the rock bed during cooling of the bed in a heat recovery cycle. The bed is completely covered by an insulated arched roof. The rock bed may be an enclosure having a roof, walls and a floor with a lower central region and somewhat inclined side regions extending at a gentle slope towards sidewalls supporting the roof.