Concrete and tube hot thermal exchange and energy store (TXES) including temperature gradient control techniques

摘要

A thermal heat capture, storage, and exchange arrangement, includes at least one thermal exchange and storage (TXES) array, with each TXES array including one or more TXES elements that receive a fluid flow of a heat source fluid and a working fluid, with the TXES elements providing for a transfer of thermal energy between the heat source fluid and the TXES elements. A manifold system provides the working fluid to an input of the TXES elements and receives the working fluid from an output of the TXES elements. At least one heat engine operable with the TXES array extracts heat from the TXES array and converts it to mechanical energy, with the heat engine being selectively connected to the manifold system of a TXES array to pass the working fluid through the TXES elements, such that a transfer of thermal energy between the working fluid and the TXES elements occurs.