DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of energy engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to concentrated solar power plants for generation of power. Further, embodiments of the present disclosures relate to a diffuser for a single-tank thermal energy storage system of the concentrated solar power plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Concentrated solar power plants are adapted to generate electrical power by producing steam from latent energy from sunlight. The concentrated solar power plants employs mirrors and lenses with tracking systems, which are adapted to focus sunlight onto a small area. The sunlight focused onto a smaller area of the concentrated solar power plant consists of a salt solution with a mixture of radical salts such as mixture of sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate but not limited to the above-mentioned salts. The focused sunlight heats the salt solution to a molten state and the thermal energy from the molten salt solution is preserved in a thermal energy storage unit, through the molten salt solution. Further, the molten salt solution from the thermal energy storage unit is transferred to heat exchangers. The heat exchangers with the heat from the molten salt solution to be transferred to a suitable liquid. The liquid further absorbs the heat and is converted to steam. The steam generated due to the heat transfer is further used to drive a turbine that generates electrical power.

Generally, the thermal energy storage unit in the concentrated solar power plants employs a two-tank storage system. The two-tank storage system utilizes two thermal energy reservoirs, which store the heat transferred from the salt solution in two different temperatures. One of the two thermal energy reservoirs may store the molten salt solution and the other thermal energy reservoir may store a cold salt solution, preferably maintained at room temperature.

However, due to high storage costs and requirement of high set-up space, a single tank system for the storage of the heat transfer salt solution may be preferred over the two-tank storage system. The single tank system comprises of a thermal energy reservoir with a zone of sharp thermal gradient known as a thermocline. The thermocline separates the molten and cold salt solutions. The thermocline is developed due to the thermal blending of fluids in charging (filling molten fluid from top) and discharging (filling cold fluid from bottom) process.

In the conventional thermal reservoir, diffusers are employed to channelize the molten salt solution is injected as jets having high inertia and high inflow rates. Due to the high inertia of the inlet jets from the conventional diffusers, the thermal blending of the molten salt solution with the cold salt solution increases. The increase in thermal blending will lead to an increase in the thickness of the thermocline layer which further decreases the thermal storage efficiency of the thermal energy reservoir. Further, reducing the flow rate will increase the filling time thereby allowing more time for axial conduction and heat loss to the surroundings. Also, due to the high inflow rates, penetration and mixing ability of the inlet jets emerging from the diffusers increases. The velocity fluctuation of the inlet stream causes periodic as well as aperiodic oscillations of the thermocline which further reduces the efficiency of the storage system.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the conventional arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional approaches are overcome by providing a diffuser in a single-tank thermal energy storage system. Additional advancements are provided due to the buoyancy effect, obtained by submerging at least a portion of the diffuser in the cold fluid, thereby reducing the inertia of the hot fluid.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a diffuser for a single-tank thermal energy storage system. The diffuser includes an inlet conduit and a plurality of hollow guide members coaxially positioned at one end of the inlet conduit. Each of the plurality of hollow guide members are connected to the inlet conduit through a plurality of projections extending from the inlet conduit. Further, the diffuser includes a splitter member, positioned downstream of the inlet conduit and coaxially disposed within one of the plurality of hollow guide members. The splitter member is configured to redirect at least a portion of fluid vertically advancing through the inlet conduit, to flow over one of the plurality of hollow guide members.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of hollow guide members are defined with a top opening and a bottom opening and wherein perimeter at the top opening is greater than the perimeter at the bottom opening.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of hollow guide members are defined with a curvature extending from the top opening to the bottom opening, while each of the plurality of hollow guide members are defined with a hemispherical profile.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the splitter member is connected proximal to the bottom opening of one of the plurality of hollow guide members.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the splitter member is connected proximal to the bottom opening of a hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members which is adjacent to one end of the inlet conduit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diffuser further comprises a diverter element positioned downstream of the splitter member, wherein a connecting member connects the diverter element to the splitter member.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diverter element is disposable in one of remaining hollow guide members of the plurality hollow guide members that are radially distant from one end of the inlet conduit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of projections and each of the plurality of hollow guide members are configured to define a flow channel within and in-between each of the plurality of hollow guide members.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the splitter member, the connecting member and the plurality of projections define a first flow passage with the bottom opening of the one hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members adjacent to the inlet conduit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diverter element, the connecting member and the plurality of projections define a second flow passage with the bottom opening of one of the remaining hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members away from the inlet conduit.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a single-tank thermal energy storage system is disclosed. The system includes an enclosure defined with an inlet port and an outlet port to facilitate charging process. The inlet port and the outlet port are defined along a longitudinal axis of the enclosure, to allow vertical advancement of fluid into the enclosure. Further, the inlet port is connected to a hot fluid supply unit and the outlet port is connected to a discharge unit. Additionally, the single-tank thermal energy storage system includes a diffuser, connected at the inlet port of the enclosure. The diffuser includes an inlet conduit, fluidly connected to the inlet port of the enclosure for receiving the hot fluid. In addition, a plurality of hollow guide members coaxially positioned at one end of the inlet conduit. Each of the plurality of hollow guide members are connected to the inlet conduit via a plurality of projections extending from the inlet conduit. Further, the diffuser includes a splitter member, positioned downstream of the inlet conduit and coaxially disposed within one of the plurality of hollow guide members. The splitter member is configured to redirect at least a portion of fluid vertically advancing through the inlet conduit, to flow over one of the plurality of hollow guide members.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hot fluid is a molten salt and the cold fluid is a salt solution.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the splitter member is connected proximal to the bottom opening of a guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members adjacent to one end of the inlet conduit.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a diffuser, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the diffuser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the diffuser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a single-tank thermal energy storage system including the diffuser, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrate pictorial diagrams of the single-tank thermal energy storage system without the diffuser in varying temperature profiles for a given timescale, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrate pictorial diagrams of the single-tank thermal energy storage system with the diffuser in varying temperature profiles for given time-scale, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates thermal comparative results of the single-tank thermal energy storage system without and with the diffuser, respectively, for formation for a thermocline layer, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates comparative results of thermal blending in the single-tank thermal energy storage system with and without the diffuser relative to time, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

Embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a diffuser for a single-tank thermal energy storage system. The diffuser includes an inlet conduit and a plurality of hollow guide members coaxially positioned at one end of the inlet conduit. Each of the plurality of hollow guide members are connected to the inlet conduit via a plurality of projections extending from the inlet conduit. Further, the diffuser includes a splitter member, positioned downstream of the inlet conduit and coaxially disposed within one of the plurality of hollow guide members. The splitter member is configured to redirect at least a portion of fluid vertically advancing through the inlet conduit, to flow over one of the plurality of hollow guide members. Thus, the temperature and the velocity fluctuations are constrained effectively by the diffuser, thereby providing a stable thermocline layer.

It may be noted that, the diffuser may be used in other industrial applications including, but not limited to, chemical and food processing industries, along with that of thermal energy storage for concentrated solar power plants.

The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the solar power plant is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the diffuser and the system as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any other applications including, but not limited to, food processing industry, paint manufacturing industry, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1 which illustrates a schematic diagram of a diffuser (100). The diffuser (100) may be employable in a fluid communication circuit having continuous supply and discharge of fluid. The diffuser (100) may be configured to assist in channelizing and dispersion of a fluid. The diffuser (100) may aid in reducing flow velocity of the fluid, while maintaining a constant flow rate in fluid communication circuity. Such reduction in flow rate may enable diffusion of the fluid within the fluid communication circuit.

Further referring to FIG. 1, the diffuser (100) may include an inlet conduit (1), which may be a structure configured to allow flow of the fluid therethrough. The inlet conduit (1) may be defined in various shapes, dimensions, and configurations, while such shape, dimension or configuration may not include a bent section or grooves or ridges [nonetheless, marginal bent section due to manufacturing and connection may be permissible and accountable] as such configurations may inherently reduce flow velocity [or fluid pressure] of the fluid being supplied to the fluid communication circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, shape of the inlet conduit (1) resembles a cylindrical profile. To ensure marginal or no drop in flow velocity of the fluid, the inlet conduit (1) may be vertically positioned to receive the fluid. In an embodiment, the diffuser (100) also includes a plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4), coaxial with the inlet conduit (1). Each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be positioned at one end [end at which the fluid exits] of the inlet conduit (1) and may be connected thereto.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be connected to the inlet conduit (1) may means of a plurality of projections (2). In the illustrative embodiment, the plurality of projections (2) extend [outwardly from an external surface] from the inlet conduit (1) to a defined length so that, each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be positioned concentrically about a flow axis (A-A) of the inlet conduit (1), as best seen in FIGs. 2 and 3. The plurality of projections (2) may be either integrally defined from the inlet conduit (1) or may be disposed on the inlet conduit (1) by means including, but not limited to, adhesive bonding, welding, fastening, snap-fitting, and the like. Further, each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be defined with a top opening and a bottom opening, as best seen in FIG. 3. The top opening and the bottom opening may suitably allow the fluid to flow into and/or out from each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4). In an embodiment, each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be connected to the inlet conduit (1), via the plurality of projections (2), at the top opening. The plurality of projections (2) may connect the top opening which may be proximal to [that is, along at same plane or on the plane above ] one end of the inlet conduit (1) through which the fluid may be injected. Additionally, the plurality of projections (2) may be horizontally extended from the inlet conduit (1) in order to ensure each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) to be normally positioned to the inlet conduit (1), and in-turn to the fluid flow therethrough.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be defined with a profile including, but not limited to, a cube, cuboid, elliptical, and cylindrical. In the illustrative embodiment, the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) are defined with hemispherical profile. Further, a perimeter at the top opening of each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) is greater than the perimeter at the bottom opening, in order to define a surface for the fluid to trace and overflow from each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4). In addition, each of the plurality of projections (2) from the inlet conduit (1) may extend along a defined angle, in order to secure each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) to the inlet conduit (1). In the illustrative embodiment, each of the plurality of projections (2) may be separated by a 120-degree angle, however, the angle may be varied in accordance with number of the plurality of projections (2) employed to connect the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4).

Referring now to FIG. 4, the diffuser (100) may further include a splitter member (5) and a diverter element (6). The splitter member (5) may be positioned downstream of the inlet conduit (1) and coaxially disposed within one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4). The splitter member (5) may be connected to one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) via the plurality of projections (2). In embodiment, the splitter may be connected proximal to the bottom opening of one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4), where one of hollow guide members (3 and 4) of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) is the one which is adjacent to the one end of the inlet conduit (1) through which the fluid may be injected. The splitter member (5) may be positioned along the flow axis (A-A) of the inlet conduit (1) in order to be normal to flow the fluid. Further, the splitter member (5) may be configured to redirect at least a portion of the fluid vertically advancing through the inlet conduit (1), to flow over one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4). That is, the splitter member (5) may be configured to engage with the fluid injected through one end of the inlet conduit (1) and then redirect vertical flow of the fluid into horizontal flow or at an inclined state to the horizontal, for channelizing at least a portion of the fluid towards the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4). The plurality of projections (2) and each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be configured to define a flow channel within and in-between each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4). The plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be configured to receive and direct at least a portion of the fluid therein to trace along an interior surface of corresponding hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) and flow over the top opening of the corresponding hollow guide member. Due to such redirecting of the fluid by the splitter member (5), the flow velocity and rate of flow of the fluid may be maintained constant.

In an embodiment, the splitter member (5) and the diverter element (6) may be connected together by a connecting member (7). The connecting member (7) may be configured to extend from the bottom opening of one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) to direct remaining portion of the fluid in one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4). The splitter member (5), the connecting member (7) and the plurality of projections (2) define a first flow passage with the bottom opening of the one hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) adjacent to the inlet conduit (1) such that, the fluid may be configured to flow through the first flow passage towards the diverter element (6). The diverter element (6) connected to the connecting member (7) at an end opposite to the splitter member (5), may be disposable in one of remaining hollow guide members (3 and 4) of the plurality hollow guide members (3 and 4) that are radially distant from one end of the inlet conduit (1). Further, the diverter element (6) and the connecting member (7) may define a second flow passage with the bottom opening of one of the remaining hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) away from the inlet conduit (1), to channelize and disperse or diffuse the fluid out from the diffuser (100).

In an embodiment, an exterior surface of the splitter member (5) and the diverter element (6) may be defined with a profile including at least one of a flat profile, a convex profile and a concave profile, based on requirement of the diffuser (100).

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a single-storage tank thermal energy storage system (200) including the diffuser (100). The single-storage tank thermal energy storage system (200) [hereinafter referred to as “system (200)”] may be associated with a concentrated solar power plants for generation of power. The system (200) may include an enclosure defined with an inlet port (201) and an outlet port (202) to facilitate a charging process. Further, the inlet port (201) and the outlet port (202) may be defined along a longitudinal axis of the enclosure to allow vertical advancement of fluid into the enclosure. Here, the charging process charging process refers to continues supply and storage of a hot fluid in the system (200), while a cold fluid within the system (200) may be discharged at defined quantity, in order to maintain volumetric equilibrium within the enclosure, for thermal mixing and extraction of heat therefrom, to generate power. In an embodiment, the inlet port (201) of the enclosure may be fluidly connected to a hot fluid supply unit (203), while the outlet port (202) may be fluidly connected to a discharge unit (204), for receiving a hot fluid and discharging a cold fluid, respectively.

In the illustrative embodiment, the hot fluid is a molten salt and the cold fluid is a salt solution. The molten salt may be supplied from a plurality of solar panels, containing slat in solid form, where the salt in solid form may melt upon absorbing heat from the plurality of solar panels and melts to form the molten salt. The molten salt may be supplied to the enclosure at the inlet port (201), with sufficient flow rate and flow velocity for the molten salt to pass through the diffuser (100) and thermally mix with the cold salt solution in the system (200). The diffuser (100) may be configured to direct vertical advancement of the molten salt to disperse at the splitter member (5), where at least a portion of the molten salt is configured to flow over one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) in the diffuser (100). The molten salt may then be dispersed within the enclosure and on top of the cold salt solution. Also, the diffuser (100) may be positioned within the enclosure such that, a portion of the connecting member (7) and whole of the diverter element (6) may be immersed within the cold salt solution in the enclosure. The molten salt flowing within the diffuser (100) through the first channel (8) causes the molten salt to fluidly engage the cold salt solution at immersed portion of the connecting member (7). Due to such fluid engagement of the molten salt with the cold salt solution, the cold salt solution may be configured to exert buoyant forces onto the molten salt which further reduces the inertia of the molten salt. The molten salt may then flow between the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) and may escape from the top opening with negligible inertia. Further, the molten salt that overflows from the top opening of plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) in the diffuser (100) may spread on top of the cold salt solution due to gravity. The molten salt and the cold salt solution initially mix and form a thermocline layer. The thermocline layer is a mixture of the molten salt and the cold salt solution, and the thermocline layer separates the molten salt from the cold salt solution within the enclosure. Further, after the formation of the thermocline layer, stratified layers of the molten salt may be deposited on the cold salt solution, over a period of defined time. As, the stratified layers of molten salt are deposited on the cold salt solution, thermal blending of the molten salt and the cold salt solution increases, thereby concentration of the stratified layers with the molten salt in the enclosure increases.

In an embodiment, the number of plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) may be varied depending on various factors including, but not limited to, buoyant force to be exerted on the molten salt, velocity of the molten salt, and the like.

In an embodiment, the inlet conduit (1) may be provided with internal or external threads thereby facilitating the easy attachment of the diffuser (100) to the inlet of the thermal energy reservoir.

FIGs. 6 and 7 depicts the temperature profiles showing thermal blending proximal to the inlet port (201) of the enclosure without and with the diffuser (100), respectively. As seen in FIG. 6, the supply of the molten salt into the system (200) takes place without the diffuser (100), which results in an increased thermal blending of fluids proximal to the inlet port (201) of the enclosure. The increased thermal blending of the molten salt and the cold salt solution at the inlet port (201) of the enclosure may be caused due to high inertia of the molten salt, by virtue of its flow rate and flow velocity. The thermal blending may be regulated by providing the diffuser (100) at the inlet port (201) of the enclosure, as seen in FIG. 7. The diffuser (100) may effectively regulate high inertia of the molten salt at the inlet port (201) of the enclosure. The diffuser (100) further enables supply of the molten salt into the enclosure with negligible inertia, which drastically reduces the thermal blending of the molten salt with the cold salt solution. FIG. 6 further depicts the layer of the molten salt that is deposited on the cold salt solution after a time period in the range of 30 to 70 seconds. The temperature of the molten salt, without the diffuser (100) is found to be around 550K, whereas the temperature of the molten salt in the enclosure with the diffuser (100) is found to be around 650K. Thus, the diffuser (100) effectively regulates inertia of the molten salt and reduces the thermal blending of fluids, thereby preventing a drop in the temperature of the molten salt during storage.

FIG. 8 illustrates a comparison of the thermal blending of the molten salt with the cold salt solution at the inlet port (201) of the enclosure, with and without the diffuser (100). For illustration purpose, the high-density cold salt solution and low-density molten slat are substituted by hot salt solution and normal water, respectively. The rate of flow and flow velocity of the hot salt solution and the normal water are controlled by a pair of solenoid valves, simultaneously operated at the inlet port (201) and the outlet port (202) of the enclosure. The flow rates of the experiments are nearly 45 l/min as it takes 12 second to discharge from the enclosure having a capacity of about 9-litres. For better visualization, 0.2 ml/liter of blue and red ink are added to the hot salt solution and the normal water respectively. The direction of flow of the hot salt solution into the enclosure for both the cases (that is, with and without the diffuser (100)) is seen in FIG. 8(a) through 8(d). The high inertia hot salt solution is effectively countered by the diffuser (100) as best seen in FIG. 8(b). However, in the enclosure without the diffuser (100), the length of the hot salt solution gradually increases, thereby a greater degree of mixing takes place at the inlet port (201) of the enclosure. Further, as seen in FIG. 8(c) the existing high density normal water pushes the incoming hot salt solution upwards, thereby a rapid mixing between the high density normal water and low density hot salt solution is prevented. FIG. 8(d) shows that the rapid mixing of the high density normal water and low density hot salt solution continues in the enclosure without the diffuser (100), whereas for the enclosure with the diffuser (100), a smooth and stratified layer of low density hot salt solution is formed on top of the high density normal water in the enclosure.

FIG. 9 shows the comparison on impact of the diffuser (100) in the system (200) with that of the system (200) having no diffuser (100), relative to a defined time duration. For example, the system (200) on the left side are without the diffuser (100) whereas the system (200) on the right side are with the diffuser (100). As shown in FIG. 8, the thermocline layer in the system (200) without the diffuser (100) is observed to be thicker than that compared to the thermocline layer in the system (200) with the diffuser (100). The diffuser (100) reduces thermal blending of the molten salt and the cold salt solution and further reduces thickness of the thermocline layer, thereby increasing the thermal storage efficiency. It is also observed that the storage temperature of the molten salt in the system (200) with the diffuser (100) is higher than that compared to the reservoir without the diffuser (100). As seen in FIG. 9, the maximum temperature of the molten salt in the system (200) with the diffuser (100) is found to be around 750K whereas the maximum temperature of the molten salt in the system (200) without the diffuser (100) is found to be around 700K. The high inertial hot salt solution causes the drop in storage fluid temperature by nearly 30K-50K in the system (200) without a diffuser (100), while a negligible drop in temperature is observed in the thermal storage reservoir with a diffuser (100).

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principle of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

Particulars Reference Number
Inlet conduit 1
Plurality of projections 2
Plurality of hollow guide members 3 and 4
Splitter member 5
Diverter element 6
Connecting member 7
First channel 8
Second channel 9
Diffuser 100
System 200
Inlet port 201
Outlet port 202
Supply unit 203
Discharge unit 204
Enclosure 205 ,CLAIMS:1. A diffuser (100) for a single-tank thermal energy storage system (200), the diffuser (100) comprising:
an inlet conduit (1);
a plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) coaxially positioned at one end of the inlet conduit (1), each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) are connected to the inlet conduit (1) through a plurality of projections (2) extending from the inlet conduit (1); and
a splitter member (5), positioned downstream of the inlet conduit (1) and coaxially disposed within one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4), wherein the splitter member (5) is configured to redirect at least a portion of fluid vertically advancing through the inlet conduit (1), to flow over one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4).

2. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) are defined with a top opening and a bottom opening and wherein perimeter at the top opening is greater than the perimeter at the bottom opening.

3. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) are defined with a curvature extending from the top opening to the bottom opening.

4. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein of each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) are defined with a hemispherical profile.

5. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the splitter member (5) is connected proximal to the bottom opening of one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4).

6. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the splitter member (5) is connected proximal to the bottom opening of a hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) which is adjacent to one end of the inlet conduit (1).

7. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a diverter element (6) positioned downstream of the splitter member (5), wherein a connecting member (7) connects the diverter element (6) to the splitter member (5).

8. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the diverter element (6) is disposable in one of remaining hollow guide members (3 and 4) of the plurality hollow guide members (3 and 4) that are radially distant from one end of the inlet conduit (1).

9. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections (2) and each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) are configured to define a flow channel within and in-between each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4).

10. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the splitter member (5), the connecting member (7) and the plurality of projections (2) define a first flow passage with the bottom opening of the one hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) adjacent to the inlet conduit (1).

11. The diffuser (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diverter element (6) and the connecting member (7) define a second flow passage with the bottom opening of one of the remaining hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) away from the inlet conduit (1).

12. A single-tank thermal energy storage system (200), the system (200) comprising:
an enclosure (205) defined with an inlet port (201) and an outlet port (202) to facilitate charging process, the inlet port (201) and the outlet port (202) are defined along a longitudinal axis (B-B) of the enclosure (205) to allow vertical advancement of fluid into the enclosure (205), wherein the inlet port (201) is connected to a hot fluid supply unit (203) and the outlet port (202) is connected to a discharge unit (204);
a diffuser (100) connected at the inlet port (201) of the enclosure (205), the diffuser (100) comprises:
an inlet conduit (1), fluidly connected to the inlet port (201) of the enclosure for receiving the hot fluid;
a plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) coaxially positioned at one end of the inlet conduit (1), each of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) are connected to the inlet conduit (1) via a plurality of projections (2) extending from the inlet conduit (1); and
a splitter member (5), positioned downstream of the inlet conduit (1) and coaxially disposed within one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4), wherein the splitter member (5) is configured to redirect at least a portion of the hot fluid vertically advancing through the inlet conduit (1), to flow over one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4).

13. The system (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hot fluid is a molten salt.

14. The system (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cold fluid is a salt solution.

15. The system (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the splitter member (5) is connected proximal to the bottom opening of one of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) adjacent to one end of the inlet conduit (1).

16. The system (200) as claimed in claim 12, comprises a diverter element (6) positioned downstream of the splitter member (5), wherein a connecting member (7) connects the diverter element (6) to the splitter member (5).

17. The system (200) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the diverter element (6) is disposable in one of remaining hollow guide members (3 and 4) of the plurality hollow guide members (3 and 4) that are radially distant from one end of the inlet conduit (1).

18. The system (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the splitter member (5), the connecting member (7) and the plurality of projections (2) define a first flow passage with the bottom opening of the one hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) adjacent to the inlet conduit (1).

19. The system (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the diverter element (6), the connecting member (7) and the plurality of projections (2) define a second flow passage with the bottom opening of one of the remaining hollow guide member of the plurality of hollow guide members (3 and 4) away from the inlet conduit (1).

20. A thermal energy storage plant comprising a single-tank thermal energy storage system (200) as claimed in claim 12.