Reinforced thermal energy storage pressure vessel for an adiabatic compressed air energy storage system

Abstract

A thermal energy storage system comprises a pressure vessel configured to withstand a first pressure, wherein the pressure vessel has a wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface surrounding an interior volume of the pressure vessel. The interior volume of the pressure vessel has a first end in fluid communication with one or more compressors and one or more turbines, and a second end in fluid communication with at least one compressed air storage component. A thermal storage medium is positioned in the interior volume, and at least one reinforcement structure is affixed to the outer surface of the wall, wherein the at least one reinforcement structure configured to reinforce the wall to withstand a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Embodiments of the invention relate generally to compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems and, more particularly, to thermal energy storage (TES) pressure vessels in an adiabatic CAES system.[0002]CAES systems allow the generation of electricity without producing substantial emissions and / or consuming vast quantities of natural resources. CAES systems typically include a compression train having one or more compressors. The one or more compressors compress intake air in a compression stage for storage in a cavern, porous rock formation, depleted natural gas / oil field, or other compressed air storage component. The compressed air is then later used to drive turbines to produce electrical energy in an energy generation stage, which can in turn be provided to the utility grid. Often, if utility energy is used to power the compression train during the compression stage, the compression train operates during the off-peak hours of utility plants. The e...

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Benefits of technology

[0008]Aspects of the invention provide a system and method for a TES unit having at least one reinforced structure affixed thereto to allow the TES uni...

Problems solved by technology

In a diabatic-CAES system, heat generated by the compression train is typically lost to the ambient environment.

That is, the heat of compression may be largely present when entering the cavern or other compressed air storage component, but its energetic value and availability is diminished as the compressed air mixes with the cavern air and further cools to ambient temperature during storage.

Due to this reheating step, the overall efficiency of the diabatic-CAES system is reduced, and the use of natural gas to fuel the recuperator leads to carbon emissions and natural resource consumption.

In this way, ACAES systems do not necessitate additional natural gas-fired recuperation to reheat the compressed air exiting the cavern or other compressed air storage component.

However, construction of such thick concrete walls leads to substantial engineering difficulties and high costs, thereby reducing the feasibility of implementing an ACAES system as opposed to a less efficient diabatic-CAES system.

Furthermore, high operating temperatures and temperature cycles induce damaging thermal stresses into the concrete walls, and these stresses are amplified as the concrete walls grow thicker.

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