Supercritical Fluids, Systems and Methods for Use

a technology of supercritical fluids and fluids, applied in steam engine plants, machines/engines, mechanical equipment, etc., can solve the problems of increasing the cost of containment materials, reducing the overall system and operating cost, and requiring large heat transfer areas for thermal energy technologies with phase change materials

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-12-19
NAVITASMAX
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides energy storage systems that use a supercritical fluid mixture made of carbon dioxide and other components, such as hydrocarbons. This mixture has a high heat capacity but operates without increasing pressure, reducing containment costs and overall system and operating costs. The technical effect is efficient and reliable thermal energy storage systems with high energy density.

Problems solved by technology

Thermal energy technologies having phase change materials may require large heat transfer areas.
There are limitations associated with current thermal energy storage systems.
As system temperatures increase, costs associated with containment materials may also increase.
A key challenge is to minimize containment material cost.

Method used

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  • Supercritical Fluids, Systems and Methods for Use
  • Supercritical Fluids, Systems and Methods for Use
  • Supercritical Fluids, Systems and Methods for Use

Examples

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example 1

[0086]A supercritical fluid mixture comprises carbon dioxide CO2 and ethanol in a composition (mole %) of about 90% CO2 and 10% ethanol. The composition is selected to provide a heat capacity of the fluid mixture that may be suitable for use with thermal energy storage.

example 2

[0087]A system, such as the system 700 of FIG. 7, is used to generate power. The working fluid is a fluid mixture comprising Supercritical CO2 and ethanol at a composition (mole %) of about 90% CO2 and 10% ethanol. The temperature of the working fluid is about 305 K. In a first step, the supercritical working fluid is directed to a heat exchanger, which supplies heat to the working fluid. In a second step, the working fluid is directed to a turbine to generate power. Next, in a third step, heat is removed from the working fluid, in some cases with the aid of another heat exchanger. The working fluid is then returned to the compressor.

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Abstract

A supercritical fluid comprises carbon dioxide and at least one disorder-inducing species. The proportion of carbon dioxide to the at least one disorder-inducing species in the supercritical fluid may be sufficient to induce disorder in the fluid. Power generation systems and thermal energy storage systems configured to use the supercritical fluid are described.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application is a continuation application of PCT Application No. PCT / US2012 / 039217, filed on May 23, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 489,605, filed on May 24, 2011; this application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 563,802, filed on Nov. 27, 2011, all of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There are various types of approaches for thermal energy storage, which may be broadly classified under sensible heat storage, latent heat storage and chemical energy storage. Storage and removal of energy using sensible heat storage involves a temperature change of the storage medium in solid, liquid or gaseous form. Storage and removal of energy using latent heat storage involves a state change of the storage medium, e.g., liquid to gas. Storage and removal of energy using chemical energy storage involves a chemical change in the storage medium, e....

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F01K7/00
CPCF01K7/00F01K25/103
InventorHERBST, KELLY
OwnerNAVITASMAX