Flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system

Abstract

The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided by this invention belongs to the field of energy storage technology. It includes: an expander with interstage pumping; a flywheel energy storage unit with a flywheel turbine assembly; and a heat exchange unit connected to both the interstage pumping and the flywheel turbine assembly to transfer heat from the flywheel turbine assembly to the interstage pumping of the expander. The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system of this invention transfers the heat generated during the operation of the flywheel turbine assembly to the interstage pumping of the expander through the heat exchange unit, heating the interstage pumping before it returns to the expander to perform work, thereby improving the efficiency of the expander.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy storage technology, specifically to a combined flywheel energy storage and expander thermal management system. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as compressed air energy storage, when using expanders to output mechanical energy, it is generally necessary to evacuate the air between the expander stages, then heat it before doing work, which can improve efficiency.

[0003] In existing technologies, heating devices are generally used to heat the interstage pumped air in an expander. However, using heating devices consumes excessive energy, which is not energy-efficient. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect of excessive energy consumption caused by the use of a special heating device to heat the interstage pumping of the expander in the energy storage system of the prior art. Thus, a flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system is provided.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a combined flywheel energy storage and expander thermal management system, comprising:

[0006] Expander with interstage evacuation;

[0007] Flywheel energy storage unit, which has a flywheel generator set;

[0008] The heat exchange unit is connected to the interstage pump and the flywheel unit respectively, so as to transfer the heat of the flywheel unit to the interstage pump of the expander.

[0009] Optionally, the heat exchange unit includes a heat exchanger having a first circulation path and a second circulation path suitable for heat exchange inside, the first circulation path being connected to the flywheel unit, and the second circulation path being connected to the interstage extraction of the expander.

[0010] Optionally, the outer wall of the flywheel unit has a cooling channel for the flow of heat exchange medium, and the cooling channel is connected to the first circulation path of the heat exchanger.

[0011] Optionally, the cooling channel includes a central cooling channel that partially extends into the shaft of the flywheel unit.

[0012] Optionally, the inlet of the first circulation passage of the heat exchanger is provided with a heat replenishment pipe, and the heat replenishment pipe is provided with a first valve.

[0013] Optionally, the outlet of the first circulation passage of the heat exchanger is provided with a heat release pipe, and a second valve is provided on the heat release pipe.

[0014] Optionally, a one-way valve is provided on the pipe of the flywheel unit leading to the first circulation passage of the heat exchanger, which is directed toward the heat exchanger.

[0015] Optionally, the interstage evacuation of the expander includes an evacuation pipe and a return pipe, wherein the evacuation pipe is connected to the inlet of the second circulation path of the heat exchanger, and the return pipe is connected to the outlet of the second circulation path of the heat exchanger.

[0016] Optionally, a bypass pipe is connected between the exhaust pipe and the return pipe, and a third valve is provided on the bypass pipe.

[0017] Optionally, the inlet of the second circulation passage of the heat exchanger is provided with a fourth valve.

[0018] The technical solution of this invention has the following advantages:

[0019] The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided by this invention transfers the heat generated by the flywheel unit during operation to the interstage pumping unit of the expander through a heat exchange unit. The interstage pumping unit of the expander is heated and then returned to the expander to do work, thereby improving the efficiency of the expander. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a front view of one embodiment of the flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 1. Expander; 2. Flywheel unit; 3. Heat exchanger; 4. Cooling passage; 5. Central cooling passage; 6. Heat replenishment pipe; 7. First valve; 8. Heat release pipe; 9. Second valve; 10. Check valve; 11. Fifth valve; 12. Extraction pipe; 13. Return pipe; 14. Bypass pipe; 15. Third valve; 16. Fourth valve; 17. Sixth valve; 18. Power pump. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0028] The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment can be used in energy storage technology.

[0029] like Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a specific implementation of the flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment, comprising: an expander 1, a flywheel energy storage unit, and a heat exchange unit. The expander 1 has an interstage pump, and the flywheel energy storage unit has a flywheel turbine unit 2. The heat exchange unit is connected to both the interstage pump and the flywheel turbine unit 2 to transfer heat from the flywheel turbine unit 2 to the interstage pump of the expander 1.

[0030] The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment transfers the heat generated by the flywheel unit 2 during operation to the interstage pumping of the expander 1 through the heat exchange unit. After the interstage pumping of the expander 1 is heated, it returns to the expander 1 to do work, thereby improving the efficiency of the expander 1.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the interstage evacuation of the expander 1 is used to extract a portion of the medium from the intermediate stage, heat it, and then return it to the inlet of the next stage to perform work, thereby improving the efficiency of the expander 1.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown in this embodiment, in the combined flywheel energy storage and expander thermal management system, the heat exchange unit includes a heat exchanger 3. The heat exchanger 3 has a first circulation path and a second circulation path suitable for heat exchange. The first circulation path is connected to the flywheel unit 2, and the second circulation path is connected to the interstage extraction of the expander 1. Within the heat exchanger 3, heat exchange between the flywheel unit 2 and the interstage extraction is achieved through the convection of the heat exchange medium within the first and second circulation paths.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, in the combined thermal management system of flywheel energy storage and expander provided in this embodiment, the outer wall of the flywheel unit 2 has a cooling channel 4 for the circulation of heat exchange medium. The cooling channel 4 is connected to the first circulation path of the heat exchanger 3. The heat exchange medium can be water, ethylene glycol or heat transfer oil, etc.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, in the flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment, the cooling channel 4 includes a central cooling channel 5 that partially extends into the shaft of the flywheel unit 2. Since the main heat-generating component of the flywheel unit 2 is the motor, the motor shaft is made hollow, and the central cooling channel 5 is formed through this hollow space to cool the central shaft of the flywheel unit 2. This increases the heat exchange rate of the heat exchange medium and further increases the temperature of the cooling medium. In addition, since the central cooling channel 5 is rotating, the flow rate of the heat exchange medium after passing through the central cooling channel 5 is increased by centrifugal force, thereby further improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in the combined flywheel energy storage and expander thermal management system provided in this embodiment, the inlet of the first circulation path of the heat exchanger 3 is provided with a heat replenishment pipe 6, and the heat replenishment pipe 6 is provided with a first valve 7. The outlet of the first circulation path of the heat exchanger 3 is provided with a heat release pipe 8, and the heat release pipe 8 is provided with a second valve 9. When the flywheel unit 2 is not working, or when the heat generated by the flywheel unit 2 is insufficient, the aforementioned heat replenishment pipe 6 and heat release pipe 8 can be opened to introduce a heating medium from the outside to heat the interstage pumped air of the expander 1 to the ideal temperature.

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, in the flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment, a one-way valve 10 is provided on the pipe leading from the flywheel unit 2 to the heat exchanger 3 in the first circulation path. The function of this one-way valve 10 is to prevent some of the externally supplied heat from entering the flywheel unit 2 before entering the first circulation path when the heat exchanger 3 is activated for external supplementation, thus affecting the efficiency of heating the interstage pumping gas of the expander 1. Furthermore, a fifth valve 11 is provided on the pipe leading from the outlet of the first circulation path of the heat exchanger 3 to the flywheel unit 2. The function of this fifth valve 11 is to prevent some of the externally supplied heat from entering the flywheel unit 2 from the outlet of the first circulation path when the heat exchanger 3 is activated for external supplementation, thus affecting the heat dissipation of the flywheel unit 2.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, in the flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment, the interstage extraction of the expander 1 includes an extraction pipe 12 and a return pipe 13. The extraction pipe 12 is connected to the inlet of the second circulation path of the heat exchanger 3, and the return pipe 13 is connected to the outlet of the second circulation path of the heat exchanger 3. A bypass pipe 14 connects the extraction pipe 12 and the return pipe 13, and a third valve 15 is provided on the bypass pipe 14. The function of the third valve 15 is that when it is not necessary to heat the interstage extraction, the third valve 15 can be opened, so that the interstage extraction can be directly used to do work on the next stage expander 1.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, in the flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment, the inlet of the second circulation passage of the heat exchanger 3 is provided with a fourth valve 16. This fourth valve 16 is used to close the channel between the interstage extraction and the second circulation passage of the heat exchanger 3, thereby facilitating the interstage extraction to perform work directly without heating.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, in the flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system provided in this embodiment, a sixth valve 17 is also installed on the inlet pipe of the first circulation passage from the flywheel unit 2 to the heat exchanger 3. This sixth valve 17 can directly close the passage of the first circulation pipe from the flywheel unit 2 to the heat exchanger 3, thereby disconnecting the flywheel unit 2 from the heat exchanger 3. Furthermore, a power pump 18 is installed on the pipe from the outlet of the first circulation passage of the heat exchanger 3 to the flywheel unit 2. This power pump 18 is used to drive the heat exchange medium in the pipe to circulate.

[0040] It should be noted that the first valve 7, the second valve 9, the third valve 15, the fourth valve 16, the fifth valve 11, and the sixth valve 17 are preferably electrically controlled valves, thereby enabling remote control of the equipment.

[0041] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system, characterized in that, include: Expander (1) has interstage evacuation, the interstage evacuation including: evacuation pipe (12) and return pipe (13). The flywheel energy storage unit has a flywheel unit (2), and the outer wall of the flywheel unit (2) has a cooling channel (4) for the flow of heat exchange medium. The heat exchange unit includes a heat exchanger (3), which has a first circulation passage and a second circulation passage inside. The first circulation passage is connected to the cooling passage (4) of the flywheel unit (2), the inlet of the second circulation passage is connected to the exhaust pipe (12) of the expander (1), and the outlet of the second circulation passage is connected to the return pipe (13). The inlet of the first circulation passage of the heat exchanger (3) is provided with a heat replenishment pipe (6), and the heat replenishment pipe (6) is provided with a first valve (7). A bypass pipe (14) is connected between the exhaust pipe (12) and the return pipe (13), and a third valve (15) is provided on the bypass pipe (14). The cooling channel (4) includes a central cooling channel (5) that extends into the shaft of the flywheel unit (2). The central cooling channel (5) is formed by making a part of the shaft hollow. When the central cooling channel (5) is in a rotating state, the heat exchange medium passes through the central cooling channel (5) and the flow rate of the heat exchange medium is increased by the action of centrifugal force.

2. The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system of claim 1, wherein, The outlet of the first circulation passage of the heat exchanger (3) is provided with a heat release pipe (8), and a second valve (9) is provided on the heat release pipe (8).

3. The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A one-way valve (10) is provided on the pipe of the flywheel unit (2) leading to the heat exchanger (3) in the first circulation passage. The valve is directed toward the heat exchanger (3).

4. The flywheel energy storage and expander combined thermal management system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The inlet of the second circulation passage of the heat exchanger (3) is provided with a fourth valve (16).

Images