GB385294A - Improvements in and relating to the storage and utilisation of heat - Google Patents

Abstract

385,294. Heat - storing apparatus. SZIKLA, G., 52, Budafoki-Ut, MERSE, P., 7, Arpad-Utca, and VAGO, P. VON, 52, Budafoki-Ut, both in Budapest. May 14, 1931, No. 14324. [Class 64 (ii).] Electrically generated heat is stored in a body of metal or ceramic material, or a fusible salt, and the stored heat is conveyed to the point of utilization by a liquid heat carrier of high boiling point moving in a regulable manner by means of thermo-siphon action. The heatstoring mass I may be placed in an evacuated casing 4 which may contain heat-reflecting sheets 6 and may be surrounded by insulating material 16. The liquid heat carrier which may be mercury, passes through a pipe-coil 7 to the point of utilization 9. An inverted U-tube 10 is interposed in the circuit through which liquid can only pass by overflow at the highest point. This tube is connected by flexible tubes 11, 13 to a vessel 12 which is movable vertically to regulate the level in the descending branch of the U-tube. The rate of circulation of the heat carrier by convection varies with the height h which is regulated by moving the vessel 12, and the temperature in the oven 14 is correspondingly regulated. In a modification, Fig. 2, the liquid circuit is connected by a pipe 19 to an airtight air-cooled vessel 20 surrounded by a heating coil 21 which is energized by a relay 23 controlled by a thermostat in the oven 14. The space 20 contains a small quantity of water, which vaporizes when the thermostat causes the coil 21 to be heated, and the pressure forces the mercury downward in the tube 19 and consequently causes an overflow in the U-tube 10, so that more heat is conveyed to the oven 14. In another modification, Fig. 3 (not shown), several heat consumers are supplied from a common heat accumulator through separate inverted U-tubes, each of which is connected to an electrically-heated vessel containing inert gas for controlling the overflow of mercury in the U-tube, and an additional similar vessel may be provided by which all the consumers may be controlled simultaneously. The heat storage mass 1 may alternatively consist of potassium or sodium nitrate, the solidification point of which lies between the extreme working temperatures, or a material the decomposition of which is a reversible reaction within these temperatures.