RATIOTHERM
Ratiotherm Smart Energy Systems aims to use environmental energy in combination with different energy sources.
In a nutshell, Ratiotherm storage is able to deliver optimal solutions to achieve highly stratified storages. As well as to maximise the integration among different sources and consumers. The stratification device of the tank has been adapted to expected flow rates and temperature levels.
In terms of the efficiency of sensible thermal storage, there are major problems with the performance of thermal storage. The issue is to secure the smallest thermal stratification zone within the storage. This requires a large temperature difference between the two ends of the storage tank to achieve high-quality thermal storage. In particular, between the upper and the lower end of the heat accumulator, which is considered in the driving position.
To preserve the quality of storage and thus this heat gradient, it is necessary to distribute (namely inject and/or tap) coolant without introducing convective movements. Indeed, these are responsible for the thermal de-stratification. If the temperatures of injection are not constant, it is also necessary to inject the fluid at a temperature given within a layer of adequate temperature. This procedure aims to avoid a mixture of the fluid stored in the tank of the device of storage.
Simple methods, like the fixed injection one, proved to be interesting when the inlet temperatures are constant and that the flow is low. However, it generates a stratification of poor quality.
There exists also the principle of injection known as the “cane of stratification” which allows energy distribution by natural convection. More precisely, the fluid goes up inside a tube thermo-syphon (stratification canes) with bore-holes for the injection of fluid in the tank. By the difference in density, the fluid circulates in the cane of stratification until reaching the height of the same layer temperature.
The Ratiotherm company, in particular under the reference Oskar (®), proposes such stratification systems. Thus, various drains come to be grafted with the cane of stratification in the form of spirals and openings.