A gravity compressed air energy storage system based on adjustable gravity pressure blocks

Abstract

The present invention proposes a gravity compressed air energy storage system based on an adjustable gravity pressing block, which includes a pressing block box that reduces the height of the gravity pressing block and the guide device to a certain extent, ensuring economy. The gravity pressing block adopts an effective assembly form, which controls the tilting or falling off of the traditional pressing block during movement to a certain extent, ensuring safety; and can ensure that the center of gravity of the gravity pressing block is always in the same vertical direction during movement, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the gravity pressing block, and realizing the concept of safe, efficient and stable energy storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electric energy storage, and in particular to a gravity compressed air energy storage system based on adjustable gravity pressing blocks. Background Art

[0002] Compressed air energy storage systems store excess electrical energy by compressing air. When needed, the high-pressure air is released through an expander to generate electricity. During energy storage, the system consumes electricity to compress the air and store it in a storage chamber. During energy release, the high-pressure air is released from the storage chamber and enters a combustion chamber, where it is heated by fuel combustion to generate electricity. Alternatively, the system can be used to heat the air without fuel combustion, recovering the heat of compression. Compressed air energy storage systems can be used to construct large power plants exceeding 100 MW, second only to pumped-storage power plants. They offer advantages such as a long energy storage cycle, low unit investment, a long lifespan, and high efficiency. Combining the high energy density of compressed air energy storage with the flexible layout of gravity energy storage, and further improving upon these advantages, gravity-based compressed air energy storage technology has been proposed. This technology primarily features a safe and economical counterweight structure. Traditional gravity-based ballasts are assembled from multiple ballasts arranged in a specific orientation. These ballasts pose a risk of tilting or falling during movement, and their center of gravity can easily shift with movement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve one of the technical problems in the related art at least to a certain extent.

[0004] To this end, the purpose of the present invention is to propose a gravity compressed air energy storage system based on an adjustable gravity pressing block. The pressing block box is used to reduce the height of the gravity pressing block and the guide device to a certain extent, thereby ensuring economy. The gravity pressing block adopts an effective assembly form, which controls the tilting or falling off of the traditional pressing block during movement to a certain extent, thereby ensuring safety; and it can ensure that the center of gravity of the gravity pressing block is always in the same vertical direction during movement, thereby ensuring the safe and stable operation of the gravity pressing block and realizing the concept of safe, efficient and stable energy storage.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a gravity compressed air energy storage system based on an adjustable gravity pressure block, comprising: a vertical shaft, a gravity assembly movably inserted into the vertical shaft, a gap formed between the outer wall of the gravity assembly and the inner wall of the vertical shaft, a sealing membrane disposed in the gap, the sealing membrane being sealedly connected to the outer wall of the gravity assembly and the inner wall of the vertical shaft, so that the sealing membrane, the space of the vertical shaft below the sealing membrane, and the gravity assembly form an air storage chamber;

[0006] The gravity assembly includes a pressing block box and a pressure-bearing assembly; wherein the pressing block box is arranged on the top of the pressure-bearing assembly; the bottom of the pressure-bearing assembly extends into the vertical shaft and the outer wall thereof is connected to the sealing membrane; the top of the pressure-bearing assembly is located on the ground at the top of the vertical shaft;

[0007] The pressing block box comprises a plurality of gravity pressing blocks stacked in layers in a vertical direction and a box body accommodating the gravity pressing blocks, wherein the gravity pressing blocks are sleeved on the outside of the fixed round pins vertically arranged inside the box body through the through holes arranged in the middle thereof.

[0008] In some embodiments, in the vertical direction, each adjacent gravity pressure block is connected by a pressure block pin to achieve plug-in connection. The pressure block pin is used to prevent the adjacent gravity pressure blocks from displacement, so that the center of gravity of multiple gravity pressure blocks is always in the same vertical direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, a partition is provided in the box body to divide the box body into at least two accommodating chambers; the fixed round pin is provided at the center of each of the accommodating chambers; and wedge-shaped pins are vertically provided at the four corners of the accommodating chambers, and the wedge-shaped pins are adapted to the wedge-shaped grooves provided around the gravity pressure block; the height of the wedge-shaped pins is the same as the height of the fixed round pins.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pressure-bearing assembly includes a pressure-bearing cylinder and a pressure-bearing base; wherein the bottom of the pressure-bearing cylinder extends into the vertical shaft and a pressure-bearing base is provided on the top; the pressure block box is located above the pressure-bearing base, so that when the pressure-bearing cylinder moves downward to the lowest limit, it is supported on the ground at the top of the vertical shaft by the pressure-bearing base.

[0011] In some embodiments, the energy storage system includes a guide device, which includes a guide groove and a roller; wherein a plurality of guide grooves are provided, and the plurality of guide grooves are distributed around the gravity assembly and are located on the inner wall of the shaft or outside the shaft; the roller cooperates with the guide groove and is connected to the bottom of the guide groove, so that when the gravity assembly moves up and down, the roller moves up and down along the bottom of the guide groove.

[0012] In some embodiments, a plurality of tower structures are provided on the ground outside the top end of the shaft, and the plurality of tower structures are distributed around the shaft; and the plurality of guide grooves are respectively installed on the plurality of tower structures.

[0013] In some embodiments, the guide device is provided on all circumferential sides of the box body, and the guide device is located between the box body and the tower structure opposite to the box body.

[0014] In some embodiments, a steel lining is provided on the inner wall of the shaft, and the sealing membrane is connected to the inner wall of the steel lining.

[0015] In some embodiments, the pressure cylinder is filled with sand.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one pressure block pin and / or a fixing hole adapted to the pressure block pin is respectively provided on each adjacent gravity pressure block arranged in the vertical direction.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a structural diagram of a gravity-compressed air energy storage system based on adjustable gravity pressing blocks proposed in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a top view of a box body in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the local structure.

[0022] In the figure, 1. soil layer; 2. vertical shaft; 3. sealing membrane; 4. air storage chamber; 5. pressure cylinder; 6. pressure base; 7. tower structure; 8. box; 9. guide device; 10. fixed round pin; 11. gravity pressure block; 12. pressure block pin; 13. partition; 14. wedge pin; 15. steel lining. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. On the contrary, the embodiments of the present invention include all variations, modifications, and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0024] See also Figure 1-Figure 3A gravity compressed air energy storage system based on an adjustable gravity pressing block 11 is proposed in one embodiment of the present invention, comprising a vertical shaft 2, wherein the vertical shaft 2 is dug downward in the soil layer 1, and a gravity component is movably inserted in the vertical shaft 2, and there is a gap between the outer wall of the gravity component and the inner wall of the vertical shaft 2, and a sealing membrane 3 is provided in the gap, and the sealing membrane 3 is sealedly connected to the outer wall of the gravity component and the inner wall of the vertical shaft 2, so that the sealing membrane 3, the space below the sealing membrane 3 of the vertical shaft 2, and the gravity component form an air storage chamber 4. In this embodiment, the gravity compressed air energy storage system comprises an air compressor unit and an air expansion unit; during the energy storage process, electric energy drives the air compressor unit to work, and the air compressor unit introduces compressed air into the air storage chamber 4. The pressure of the compressed air pushes the gravity component upward. When releasing energy, the compressed air in the air storage chamber 4 is introduced into the air expansion unit, driving the air expansion unit to work and realize power generation.

[0025] In this embodiment, the gravity assembly includes a pressing block box and a pressure-bearing assembly; the pressing block box is arranged on the top of the pressure-bearing assembly; the bottom of the pressure-bearing assembly extends into the vertical shaft 2 and its outer wall is connected to the sealing membrane 3; the top of the pressure-bearing assembly is located on the ground at the top of the vertical shaft 2; the pressing block box includes a plurality of gravity pressing blocks 11 stacked in layers in the vertical direction, wherein each adjacent gravity pressing block 11 is respectively provided with a pressing block pin 12, so that the center of gravity of the plurality of gravity pressing blocks 11 is always in the same vertical direction.

[0026] Specific examples Figure 1 As shown, the gravity assembly is divided into two parts: an above-ground briquetting box and a pressure-bearing assembly. The bottom end of the pressure-bearing assembly extends into the interior of the shaft 2 and the sealing membrane 3 is directly connected to the bottom end of the outer wall of the pressure-bearing assembly, while the briquetting box is located outside the shaft 2. When realizing large energy storage, there is no need to concentrate all the gravity blocks in the shaft 2, which can reduce the height of the shaft 2 and greatly reduce the excavation workload and engineering difficulty of the shaft 2.

[0027] In addition, the briquette box includes a box body 8 and a plurality of gravity briquette blocks 11 arranged in the box body 8 and stacked in layers in the vertical direction. By arranging the briquette box into a plurality of stacked gravity briquette blocks 11, the weight of each gravity briquette block 11 is reduced, and the difficulty of lifting is reduced while meeting the large energy storage. During the lifting construction process, the pressure-bearing component is first lifted into the shaft 2, and the upper end of the pressure-bearing component is supported on the ground around the shaft 2, and then the gravity briquette blocks 11 are lifted layer by layer on the top of the pressure-bearing component.

[0028] Preferably, in order to ensure that the center of gravity of the stacked gravity blocks 11 arranged in the box body 8 always remains in the same vertical direction, a fixed round pin 10 can be vertically arranged inside the box body 8, and a through hole can be opened in the middle of each gravity block 11, and each gravity block 11 can be sleeved on the fixed round pin 10.

[0029] In some embodiments, in the vertical direction, at least one pressure block pin 12 and / or a fixing hole adapted to the pressure block pin 12 is provided on each adjacent gravity pressure block 11. It can be understood that from bottom to top, at least one upwardly protruding pressure block pin 12 or at least one downwardly recessed fixing hole is provided on the top of the first gravity pressure block 11; or at least one upwardly protruding pressure block pin 12 and at least one downwardly recessed fixing hole are provided on the top of the first gravity pressure block 11. Similarly, in order to achieve the hoisting and stacking of the first gravity pressure block 11 and the second gravity pressure block 11, the bottom of the second gravity pressure block 11 adjacent to the first gravity pressure block 11 is provided with a pressure block pin 12 and / or a fixing hole adapted to the first gravity pressure block 11. The other gravity pressure blocks 11 are hoisted and stacked in sequence according to this method and will not be repeated. However, the number of the pressure block pins 12 and / or fixing holes can be one or more. In this embodiment, the pressure block pins 12 and the fixing holes are stacked layer by layer, which can effectively control the displacement of the gravity pressure block 11 during the lifting process, ensure that the center of gravity is in the same vertical direction, and avoid excessive load on the tower or guide device 9.

[0030] For example, Figure 3 As shown, an upwardly protruding pressure block pin 12 is provided on the top of the first gravity pressure block 11 from bottom to top, and a fixing hole is provided at the bottom of the second gravity pressure block 11 adjacent to the first gravity pressure block 11 to adapt to the pressure block pin 12; and an upwardly protruding pressure block pin 12 is provided on the top of the second gravity pressure block 11, which is compatible with the fixing hole provided at the bottom of the third gravity pressure block 11; and the pressure block pin 12 and the fixed round pin 10 are used in combination to ensure that the center of gravity of multiple gravity pressure blocks 11 is always in the same vertical direction.

[0031] In practical applications, in order to facilitate the preparation of the pressing block pins 12 and fixing holes on the gravity pressing block 11, the gravity pressing block 11 in this embodiment is cast from scrap iron ore with a large bulk density as raw material. The cross-section of the gravity pressing block 11 can be polygonal or circular, and it is composed of independent cubes, cylinders or special-shaped pressing blocks. Preferably, the cross-sections of the gravity pressing blocks 11 in the gravity assembly are the same. The cross-section size of the pressing block pin 12 is smaller than the cross-section size of the fixing hole. Preferably, the cross-sections of the protrusions and depressions of each gravity pressing block 11 are the same. This embodiment can effectively reduce the height of the assembled gravity assembly, thereby also reducing the height and cost of the guide structure and tower structure 7 that control the gravity assembly.

[0032] For example, taking the gravity block 11 as a cubic structure, wedge-shaped grooves can be provided at the four corners of the gravity block 11, and wedge-shaped pins 14 that match the wedge-shaped grooves are provided at the four corners of the box body 8. The wedge-shaped pins 14 can have a certain interference space with the wedge-shaped grooves to ensure smooth lifting of the gravity block 11. The function of the wedge-shaped grooves is the same as that of the fixing round pins 10, and will not be repeated here. Those skilled in the art can understand that the height of the wedge-shaped pins 14 is the same as that of the fixing round pins 10, which facilitates the simultaneous fixing of the four corners and the center of the gravity block 11.

[0033] The specific steps for hoisting the gravity pressure block 11 in this embodiment are as follows: first, the through hole in the middle of the gravity pressure block 11 is aligned with the fixed round pin 10 in the middle of the box body 8 for preliminary hoisting, and then the wedge-shaped grooves at the four corners of the gravity pressure block 11 are carefully aligned with the wedge-shaped pins 14 at the four corners of the box body 8; the gravity pressure blocks 11 adjacent in the vertical direction are connected by the pressure block pins 12 and their relative positions are fine-tuned so that the center of gravity of each gravity pressure block 11 is located in the same vertical direction. The wedge-shaped pins 14, the fixed round pins 10 and the pressure block pins 12 are used in combination to ensure that the influence of the deviation of the center of gravity of the gravity pressure block 11 is minimized during the operation of the gravity compressed air energy storage system.

[0034] Preferably, in some embodiments, a partition 13 is provided in the box body 8 to divide it into at least two accommodating chambers; for example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 8 is divided into three chambers by partitions 13. A fixed round pin 10 is located at the center of each chamber, and a gravity block 11 is hoisted into each chamber. This allows for flexible adjustment of the total weight of the gravity assembly. While maintaining the balance of the housing 8, different combinations of gravity blocks can meet a wide range of effective gas storage volume requirements. As can be seen, vertical wedge-shaped pins 14 are installed at the four corners of each chamber, fitting into the wedge-shaped grooves surrounding the gravity block 11. The height of the wedge pins 14 is the same as that of the fixed round pin 10.

[0035] In some embodiments, the pressure-bearing assembly includes a pressure-bearing cylinder 5 and a pressure-bearing base 6; the bottom of the pressure-bearing cylinder 5 extends into the vertical shaft 2 and the pressure-bearing base 6 is set on the top; the pressure block box is located above the pressure-bearing base 6, so that when the pressure-bearing cylinder 5 moves downward to the lowest limit, it is supported on the ground at the top of the vertical shaft 2 by the pressure-bearing base 6.

[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 1As shown, the pressure-bearing assembly includes a pressure-bearing cylinder 5 and a pressure-bearing base 6, wherein the bottom end of the pressure-bearing cylinder 5 extends into the interior of the vertical shaft 2, and the sealing membrane 3 is directly connected to the bottom end of the outer wall of the pressure-bearing cylinder 5, and the top of the pressure-bearing cylinder 5 is located on the ground at the top of the vertical shaft 2 and is connected to the pressure-bearing base 6. A plurality of gravity pressure blocks 11 stacked in layers in the vertical direction are arranged above the pressure-bearing base 6, so that the center of gravity of the plurality of gravity pressure blocks 11 is always in the same vertical direction.

[0037] In some embodiments, the energy storage system includes a guide device 9, which includes a guide groove and a roller; wherein a plurality of guide grooves are provided, and the plurality of guide grooves are distributed around the gravity assembly, and the guide grooves are provided on the inner wall of the shaft 2 or outside the shaft 2; the roller cooperates with the guide groove and is connected to the bottom of the guide groove, so that when the gravity assembly moves up and down, the roller moves up and down along the bottom of the guide groove.

[0038] Specifically, multiple guide grooves are provided, distributed around the gravity assembly, and arranged on the inner wall of the shaft 2 or outside the shaft 2. In other words, the guide grooves can be arranged inside or outside the shaft 2. Multiple rollers are provided, each mounted on the gravity assembly via a rotating shaft. The rollers are connected to the bottom of the guide grooves, so that when the gravity assembly moves up and down, the rollers move up and down along the bottom of the guide grooves.

[0039] It can be understood that when the gravity components are located in the vertical shaft 2 and move during the energy storage process, a plurality of guide grooves can be provided on the inner wall of the vertical shaft 2. For example, four guide grooves can be provided, and the four guide grooves can be provided at equal angles on the inner wall of the vertical shaft 2. Since the rollers on the gravity components are installed on the outer side of the gravity components through the rotating shaft, the rollers can rotate on the gravity components. When the rollers are connected to the bottom of the guide grooves, not only can the guide grooves be used to limit the position, but the guide grooves cooperate with the rollers to constrain the movement direction of the gravity components. At the same time, the gravity components move vertically upward or downward along the guide grooves at a certain rate. Lubricants such as butter and graphite are regularly added to the contact positions of the guide grooves and the rollers to reduce friction and improve the conversion rate of gravitational potential energy.

[0040] In addition, there is another possibility that multiple tower structures 7 are set on the ground outside the top of the vertical shaft 2, and the multiple tower structures 7 are distributed around the vertical shaft 2, and the multiple guide grooves are respectively installed on the multiple tower structures 7, that is, four tower structures 7 can be set, and then the four guide grooves are set on the four tower structures 7 outside the vertical shaft 2. During the energy storage process, part of the gravity component is located outside the vertical shaft 2, and part is located inside the vertical shaft 2. The outer wall of the gravity component inside the vertical shaft 2 and the inner wall of the vertical shaft 2 are sealed and connected by a sealing membrane 3.

[0041] In some embodiments, guide devices 9 are provided on all sides of the box 8 and are installed between the box 8 and the tower structure 7 opposite the box 8. A gap is reserved between the outer wall of the box 8 and the inner wall of the tower so that the above-ground box 8 and the pressure cylinder 5 can move up and down along the guide grooves via rollers during the up and down movement.

[0042] Specifically, the box body 8 is provided with mounting grooves on all sides, a steel plate groove is installed in the mounting groove, the roller is located in the steel plate groove, and the rotating shaft connected to the roller is installed between the side walls on opposite sides of the steel plate groove. This is a common structural setting and will not be repeated here.

[0043] In some embodiments, a steel lining 15 is provided on the inner wall of the shaft 2, and the sealing membrane 3 is connected to the inner wall of the steel lining 15. The provision of the steel lining 15 can improve the sealing performance of the connection with the sealing membrane 3.

[0044] In addition, it should be noted that the pressure tube 5 is filled with sand.

[0045] It can be understood that the pressure tube 5 can be a cylindrical structure surrounded by steel plates with a hollow structure inside. The reduced weight makes lifting easier. In addition, filling the pressure tube 5 with sand can increase the gravity of energy storage.

[0046] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0047] Any process or method description in a flowchart or otherwise described herein may be understood to represent a module, segment or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing the steps of a specific logical function or process, and the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present invention includes alternative implementations in which functions may be performed out of the order shown or discussed, including performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the reverse order depending on the functions involved, which should be understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments of the present invention pertain.

[0048] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it will be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gravity compressed air energy storage system based on adjustable gravity pressing blocks, characterized in that: include: A vertical shaft, wherein a gravity assembly is movably inserted into the vertical shaft, a gap is defined between an outer wall of the gravity assembly and an inner wall of the vertical shaft, a sealing membrane is provided in the gap, and the sealing membrane is sealedly connected to the outer wall of the gravity assembly and the inner wall of the vertical shaft, so that an air storage chamber is enclosed by the sealing membrane, a space of the vertical shaft below the sealing membrane, and the gravity assembly; a plurality of tower structures are provided on the ground outside the top end of the vertical shaft, and the plurality of tower structures are distributed around the vertical shaft; The gravity assembly includes a pressing block box and a pressure-bearing assembly; wherein the pressing block box is arranged on the top of the pressure-bearing assembly; the bottom of the pressure-bearing assembly extends into the vertical shaft and its outer wall is connected to the sealing membrane; the top of the pressure-bearing assembly is located on the ground at the top of the vertical shaft; the pressure-bearing assembly includes a pressure-bearing cylinder and a pressure-bearing base; wherein the bottom of the pressure-bearing cylinder extends into the vertical shaft and the pressure-bearing base is arranged on the top of the pressure-bearing cylinder; the pressing block box is located above the pressure-bearing base so that when the pressure-bearing cylinder moves downward to the lowest limit, it is supported on the ground at the top of the vertical shaft by the pressure-bearing base; The pressing block box comprises a plurality of gravity pressing blocks stacked in layers in the vertical direction and a box body for accommodating the gravity pressing blocks, wherein the gravity pressing blocks are sleeved on the outside of the fixed round pins vertically arranged inside the box body through the through holes arranged in the middle thereof; in the vertical direction, each adjacent gravity pressing block is connected by a pressing block pin, and the pressing block pin is used to prevent the adjacent gravity pressing blocks from being displaced, so that the center of gravity of multiple gravity pressing blocks is always in the same vertical direction; a partition is arranged in the box body to divide the box body into at least two accommodating cavities; the fixed round pin is arranged at the center of each accommodating cavity; and wedge-shaped pins are vertically arranged at the four corners of the accommodating cavity, and the wedge-shaped pins are adapted to the wedge-shaped grooves opened around the gravity pressing block; the height of the wedge pin is the same as the height of the fixed round pin.

2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that The energy storage system includes a guide device, which includes a guide groove and a roller; wherein the guide groove is provided in plurality, and the plurality of guide grooves are distributed around the gravity assembly and are located on the inner wall of the vertical shaft or outside the vertical shaft; the roller cooperates with the guide groove and is connected to the bottom of the guide groove, so that when the gravity assembly moves up and down, the roller moves up and down along the bottom of the guide groove.

3. The energy storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plurality of guide slots are respectively installed on the plurality of tower structures.

4. The energy storage system according to claim 3, characterized in that The guide devices are provided on the circumferential sides of the box body, and the guide devices are located between the box body and the tower structure opposite to the box body.

5. The energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A steel lining is provided on the inner wall of the shaft, and the sealing membrane is connected to the inner wall of the steel lining.

6. The energy storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pressure-bearing cylinder is filled with sand.

7. The energy storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that: At least one pressure block pin and / or a fixing hole matched with the pressure block pin is respectively provided on each of the gravity pressure blocks adjacent to each other in the vertical direction.

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