THERMAL ENERGY EXTRACTION AND STORAGE FROM LARGE SYSTEMS USING PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS AND LATENT HEAT EXCHANGERS

An energy storage method and apparatus for extraction from large thermal storage systems using phase change materials and latent heat exchangers. This includes thermal heat extraction from, and charging of, a large thermal storage tank containing thousands of megawatt hours of thermal energy, using the phase change of heat collection fluid and the phase change of molten phase change material for thermal storage use in generating electricity, steam, or for other industrial processes as implemented in the field of solar energy collection, thermal storage and extraction. The method and apparatus continuously removes thermal resistance that comes from the phase change material allowing operation at a high rate of efficiency. A heat exchanger is provided inside the storage tank thereby reducing heat losses, capital costs and space requirements compared to existing thermal storage systems.