Systems and methods for providing cooling in compressed air storage power supply systems

Abstract

A system and method for cooling electrical machines (e.g., generators), sub-systems (e.g., power electronics), and components (e.g., bearings) in an electrical generation system such as a compressed air storage (CAS) energy system or a thermal and compressed air storage (TACAS) energy system is provided. Cooling is derived from the thermal expansion of a compressed gas, which may be the same gas used to drive a turbine-generator of CAS or TACAS energy system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to systems and methods for removing heat from a system. More particularly, this invention provides heat exchanging techniques to remove heat from various components and / or subsystems of electrical generation systems such as thermal and compressed air storage (TACAS) backup energy systems or compressed air storage (CAS) backup energy systems. Electrical generation systems may include components and / or subsystems such as electrical machines and power electronics that may require cooling. [0002] Electrical machines such as generators and motors are well known in the art. Such machines are used in thousands of different applications, some of which include the generation of electric power. Electric power is generated, for example, when the rotor of a generator is driven by a prime mover (e.g., turbine) to produce a rotating magnetic field within the machine. The rotating magnetic field induces voltage within the stator windings of...

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Benefits of technology

[0019] An advantage of the present invention is that the temperature of the gas being routed to the components and/or subsystems may be substantially lower than the heat-exchanging mediums (e.g., ambient air, oil, water, etc.) used by conventional heat exchangers. As a result, this correlates to a lower operating temperature not previously achieved in prior art cooling systems. A lower operating temperature promotes reduced generator sizing (e.g., smaller stator core and stator windings and smaller rotors) and increased generator design flexibility, and thus less cost. Moreover, reduced sizing further decreases spool-up time required for the turbine-generator to start producing emergency power. Another advantage of the present invention is that independent cooling systems, such as fans, compressors, oil circulating systems, are not needed to provide cooling. This correlates to less cost, elimination of a need to power such systems, elimination of maintenance, increased reliability, and a more compact system.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention includes a power electronics housing which routes cool gas in direct contact with, or proximal to, the power electronics of the electrical generation system. The power electronics housing may include a thermally conductive body to which the power electronics a

Problems solved by technology

The heat being removed by the cold gas may be generated by electrical resistance losses in the stator windings, hysteresis and/or eddy current losses in the laminated stator core, stray load losses

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