Device and method for storage and transfer of thermal energy

Device (1) for the accumulation and transfer of thermal energy for an energy production installation, said device (1) can receive solar radiation and is based on the use of a modular fluidized granular bed and a heat exchanger associated therewith. The modular fluidization allows the heat accumulation or heat transfer of the exchanger to be selectively operated. The basis of such use is constituted by the favorable heat exchange characteristics of the fluidized beds and the efficient convective transport of heat as a consequence of the mobility of the granular phase. Both characteristics are linked to the possibility of giving a granular solid a rheological behavior similar to that of a fluid, in fact due to its fluidization. Said device mainly comprises: - a wrapping envelope (2) provided with one or more cavities receiving solar radiation (20); - a fluidized bed of granular particles (3) suitable for the accumulation and transfer of thermal energy within the containment envelope (2). - an adduction inlet of a fluidization gas through the bed of particles (3) by means of the corresponding distributor (21); - a heat exchanger (4) immersed in the fluidized granular bed and crossed by a service fluid; and - a fuel gas adduction input (401) as an additional thermal input to increase the flexibility of installation management.