Underwater compressed air energy storage device and method

Abstract

The application relates to an underwater compressed air energy storage device and method. The underwater compressed air energy storage device comprises a compression mechanism, a power generation mechanism and a gas storage mechanism. The compression mechanism is used for compressing air. The power generation mechanism is used for converting the compression potential energy of the compressed air into electric energy. The gas storage mechanism comprises a floating platform, a driving unit, a connecting line, a load and a gas storage container. The driving unit is arranged on the floating platform. One end of the connecting line is connected with the driving unit, and the other end of the connecting line is connected with the gas storage container. The load is connected with the gas storage container. The gas storage container is connected with the compression mechanism through an air inlet pipeline, and the gas storage container is connected with the power generation mechanism through an air outlet pipeline. The underwater compressed air energy storage device and method have the advantages of good applicability and convenient construction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of energy storage devices, in particular to an underwater compressed air energy storage device and method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Compressed air energy storage is a large-scale energy storage technology. When the demand for electricity is low, the surplus electricity is used to compress air through a compression mechanism, and the compressed air is stored in a gas storage container. When the demand for electricity is high, the compressed air is released to generate electricity through a power generation mechanism.

[0003] In related technologies, due to the natural constant pressure and constant temperature advantages of underwater environment, the underwater compressed air energy storage device using the static pressure characteristics of water can realize the isobaric compression of air, thereby realizing constant pressure energy storage or release, improving system efficiency, and having a series of significant advantages such as high degree of compatibility with offshore wind power generation. However, in order to realize the safe fixation of the gas storage container, the underwater compressed air energy storage device generally fixes the gas storage container at the bottom of the water body through an anchor chain or a rock, which brings certain difficulty to the construction, and the volume of a single gas storage container cannot be too large, otherwise the buoyancy brought by the gas storage container will be difficult to balance, and multiple gas storage containers are needed for storage. Therefore, the underwater compressed air energy storage device has certain requirements for the area of the water area, and it is difficult to completely match the topography of the deep sea and the open sea. Moreover, in order to ensure that the pressure of the gas storage container is maintained at the rated working pressure, the height of the gas storage container from the water surface needs to be selected to remain within a certain range, which further limits the selection of the water area, and has the defects of difficult site selection and complicated construction. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an underwater compressed air energy storage device and method to solve the problems of difficult site selection and complicated construction of the underwater compressed air energy storage device.

[0005] In a first aspect, an underwater compressed air energy storage device is provided, comprising:

[0006] a compression mechanism for compressing air;

[0007] a power generation mechanism for converting the compression potential energy of the compressed air into electrical energy; and

[0008] a gas storage mechanism, the gas storage mechanism comprising a floating platform, a driving unit, a connecting line, a load and a gas storage container, the driving unit being arranged on the floating platform, one end of the connecting line being connected with the driving unit, the other end of the connecting line being connected with the gas storage container, the load being connected with the gas storage container, the gas storage container being connected with the compression mechanism through an air inlet pipeline, and the gas storage container being connected with the power generation mechanism through an air outlet pipeline.

[0009] In one of the embodiments, the air storage mechanism further comprises a controller, a detection unit and an execution unit, the detection unit and the execution unit are arranged in the air storage container, and the detection unit and the execution unit are electrically connected with the controller.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, the detection unit comprises a flow sensor, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, the flow sensor is arranged at the air inlet and the air outlet of the air storage container, the pressure sensor is arranged in the air storage container, and the temperature sensor is arranged at the air inlet of the air storage container.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the execution unit comprises an air inlet valve and an air outlet valve, the air inlet valve is arranged at the air inlet pipeline, and the air outlet valve is arranged at the air outlet pipeline.

[0012] In one of the embodiments, the compression mechanism comprises a compressor and a heat exchanger, the input end of the air inlet pipeline is connected with the compressor, and the heat exchanger is installed at the air inlet pipeline; the power generation mechanism comprises an expander and a generator, the expander is connected with the output end of the air outlet pipeline, and the expander is connected with the generator.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, the load comprises a plurality of load units, each of the load units is provided with a connecting through hole, and the connecting wire is movably arranged in the connecting through hole.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the driving unit, the connecting wire and the air storage container each comprise a plurality of units, and each of the driving units is connected with one of the air storage containers through the connecting wire.

[0015] In one of the embodiments, adjacent air storage containers are connected with each other through a rope.

[0016] In a second aspect, an underwater compressed air energy storage method is provided, which is suitable for the underwater compressed air energy storage device of any one of the above embodiments, and comprises the following steps:

[0017] The air storage container is connected with one end of the connecting wire, the other end of the connecting wire is connected with the driving unit of the floating platform, and the load unit is connected with the air storage container.

[0018] The length of the connecting wire is adjusted by the driving unit, so that the air storage container is floated or sunk to adjust the air storage pressure of the air storage container.

[0019] When the power demand is low, the compression mechanism compresses air into the air storage container through the air inlet pipeline for storage.

[0020] When the power demand is high, the air storage container transmits the compressed air to the power generation mechanism through the air outlet pipeline for power generation.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0022] When the compression mechanism compresses air into the air storage container, the intake valve is opened and the outlet valve is closed, so that the intake pipeline and the air storage container are connected, the flow sensor detects the amount of air stored in the air storage container, the pressure sensor detects the pressure of the air stored in the air storage container, and the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the air stored in the air storage container.

[0023] When the air storage container transmits compressed air to the power generation mechanism, the outlet valve is opened and the intake valve is closed, so that the outlet pipeline and the air storage container are connected, and the flow sensor detects the amount of air output from the air storage container.

[0024] The underwater compressed air energy storage device and method described above, by connecting the air storage mechanism with the compression mechanism and the power generation mechanism, the compression mechanism transmits compressed air to the air storage container through the intake pipeline for storage, or the power generation mechanism converts the compression potential energy of the compressed air in the air storage container into electrical energy for power generation. Among them, the floating platform floats on the water surface, the air storage container is connected with the driving unit on the floating platform through the connecting line, and the gravity of the load member drives the air storage container to sink, so that the air storage container is maintained at a depth under water by the gravity of the load member and the tension of the connecting line. Therefore, the driving unit can drive the air storage container to float or sink through the connecting line, so that the air storage pressure of the air storage container can be adjusted, and the depth and area of the terrain need not be considered when selecting the site, and complex construction is not required under water. It has the advantages of good applicability, convenient construction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 The structure diagram of the underwater compressed air energy storage device described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 The structure diagram of the connecting line and the load member of the underwater compressed air energy storage device described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 3 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the load member of the underwater compressed air energy storage device described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 4 The structure diagram of the floating platform of the underwater compressed air energy storage device described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 5 The structure diagram of the air storage container of the underwater compressed air energy storage device described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 6 The structure diagram of the controller of the underwater compressed air energy storage device described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Reference Signs:

[0032] 100, compression mechanism; 110, compressor; 120, heat exchanger;

[0033] 200, power generation mechanism; 210, expander; 220, generator;

[0034] 300, gas storage mechanism; 310, floating platform; 320, driving unit; 330, connection line; 340, load; 340A, connection through hole; 350, gas storage container; 351, rope; 360, execution unit; 361, intake valve; 362, exhaust valve; 370, detection unit; 371, flow sensor; 372, pressure sensor; 373, temperature sensor; 380, controller;

[0035] 410, intake pipe; 420, exhaust pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present application more apparent, specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present application can be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the present application, and that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0037] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if there are terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0038] In addition, if the terms "first", "second" appear, these terms are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features referred to. Therefore, the features limited by "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, if the term "multiple" appears, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0039] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise and limited, if there are terms such as "mount", "connect", "connect", "fix", etc., these terms should be broadly understood. For example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise specifically limited. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise and limited, if there are similar descriptions such as "first feature on" or "second feature", the meaning can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" of the second feature can be directly above or obliquely above the first feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" of the second feature can be directly below or obliquely below the first feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0041] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "provided to" another element, it can be directly on another element or there can be a middle element. If an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to another element or there can be a middle element. If present, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in the present application are for illustrative purposes only and are not the only embodiment.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the drawings show the structure of the underwater compressed air energy storage device in an embodiment of the present application. The underwater compressed air energy storage device includes a compression mechanism 100, a power generation mechanism 200 and a gas storage mechanism 300. The compression mechanism 100 is used to compress air. The power generation mechanism 200 is used to convert the compression potential energy of the compressed air into electrical energy. The gas storage mechanism 300 includes a floating platform 310, a driving unit 320, a connecting line 330, a load 340 and a gas storage container 350. The driving unit 320 is provided on the floating platform 310. One end of the connecting line 330 is connected to the driving unit 320, and the other end of the connecting line 330 is connected to the gas storage container 350. The load 340 is connected to the gas storage container 350. The gas storage container 350 is connected to the compression mechanism 100 through the air inlet pipeline 410. The gas storage container 350 is connected to the power generation mechanism 200 through the air outlet pipeline 420.

[0043] The underwater compressed air energy storage device provided by the embodiment of the present application is connected with the compression mechanism 100 and the power generation mechanism 200 through the gas storage mechanism 300, the compressed air is transmitted to the gas storage container 350 through the air inlet pipeline 410 for storage, or the compressed potential energy of the compressed air in the gas storage container 350 is converted into electric energy for power generation through the air outlet pipeline 420. The floating platform 310 is arranged to float on the water surface, and the floating platform 310 is a platform floating on the water surface and having a certain buoyancy. The floating platform is generally composed of a plurality of floating cylinders, columns, anchor chains and anchor ropes, and the floating cylinders are generally made of high molecular materials and have good buoyancy and stability. The gas storage container 350 is connected with the driving unit 320 on the floating platform 310 through the connecting line 330, and the gravity of the load 340 connected with the gas storage container 350 is greater than or equal to the maximum buoyancy of the gas storage container 350, so that the gas storage container 350 is maintained at a depth under water by the gravity of the load 340 and the tension of the connecting line 330. It should be noted that the depth is the length of the connecting line 330 between the driving unit 320 and the gas storage container 350. Further, the driving unit 320 can drive the connecting line 330 to drive the gas storage container 350 to float or sink, so as to adjust the gas storage pressure of the gas storage container 350.

[0044] The underwater compressed air energy storage device provided by the embodiment of the present application is connected with the compression mechanism 100 and the power generation mechanism 200 through the gas storage mechanism 300, the compressed air is transmitted to the gas storage container 350 through the air inlet pipeline 410 for storage, or the compressed potential energy of the compressed air in the gas storage container 350 is converted into electric energy for power generation through the air outlet pipeline 420. The floating platform 310 is arranged to float on the water surface, and the floating platform 310 is a platform floating on the water surface and having a certain buoyancy. The floating platform is generally composed of a plurality of floating cylinders, columns, anchor chains and anchor ropes, and the floating cylinders are generally made of high molecular materials and have good buoyancy and stability. The gas storage container 350 is connected with the driving unit 320 on the floating platform 310 through the connecting line 330, and the gravity of the load 340 connected with the gas storage container 350 is greater than or equal to the maximum buoyancy of the gas storage container 350, so that the gas storage container 350 is maintained at a depth under water by the gravity of the load 340 and the tension of the connecting line 330. It should be noted that the depth is the length of the connecting line 330 between the driving unit 320 and the gas storage container 350. Further, the driving unit 320 can drive the connecting line 330 to drive the gas storage container 350 to float or sink, so as to adjust the gas storage pressure of the gas storage container 350.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the gas storage container 350 is a gas storage air bag, and the material of the gas storage air bag can be rubber. The physical properties of rubber are stable, and rubber has high resistance to temperature and chemicals, thereby ensuring the stability of the gas storage container 350. The driving unit 320 is an electric motor, and the connecting line 330 is a rope or a wire rope. In other embodiments, the gas storage container 350 can also be other containers for storing compressed gas, the driving unit 320 can also be other driving devices for driving the connecting line 330 to contract or release, and the connecting line 330 can also be other connecting components connecting the driving unit 320 and the gas storage container 350, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0046] In an optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the gas storage container 350 is connected with the driving unit 320 through the connecting line 330, and the connecting line 330 is arranged to pass through the floating platform 310. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the driving unit 320, the connecting line 330 and the gas storage container 350 constitute a gas storage module, and a plurality of gas storage modules are included in the underwater compressed air energy storage device. Since the buoyancy of the gas storage container 350 is proportional to the volume of the gas storage container 350, in order to balance the buoyancy of the gas storage container 350, the compressed gas is stored separately by arranging a plurality of gas storage containers 350, that is, a plurality of gas storage modules, so as to avoid the volume of the gas stored in the gas storage container 350 being too large, thereby balancing the buoyancy of the gas storage container 350 and improving the stability of the underwater compressed air energy storage device.

[0047] Further, the plurality of gas storage modules are arranged in an array structure on the floating platform 310, and adjacent gas storage containers 350 are connected to each other by the ropes 351. By arranging the gas storage containers 350 in an array structure and connecting adjacent gas storage containers 350 to each other by the ropes 351, the position of the gas storage container 350 under the local vortex disturbance of the water flow is reduced, the stability of the gas storage container 350 under water is further improved, and the damage to the gas storage container 350 is avoided, thereby having the advantages of high stability and low damage rate.

[0048] In combination with Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 A structure diagram of a controller 380 of the underwater compressed air energy storage device in an embodiment of the present application is shown, and in some embodiments, the gas storage mechanism 300 further includes the controller 380, a detection unit 370 and an execution unit 360. The detection unit 370 and the execution unit 360 are arranged in the gas storage container 350, and the detection unit 370 and the execution unit 360 are electrically connected to the controller 380. Specifically, the controller 380 is a PID control system. By arranging the execution unit 360 and the detection unit 370 in the gas storage container 350, the execution unit 360 can control the input or output of the compressed air to the gas storage container 350, and the detection unit 370 can detect the input gas amount, the output gas amount, the gas pressure and the gas temperature in the gas storage container 350, so that the controller 380 can optimally control the gas storage mechanism 300 according to these data, and the efficiency of the underwater compressed air energy storage device is higher.

[0049] In an optional embodiment, as Figure 6As shown, the detection unit 370 includes a flow sensor 371, a pressure sensor 372 and a temperature sensor 373. The flow sensor 371 is arranged at the gas inlet and outlet of the gas storage container 350, the pressure sensor 372 is arranged in the gas storage container 350, and the temperature sensor 373 is arranged at or near the gas inlet of the gas storage container 350. By arranging the flow sensor 371, the amount of gas input into the gas storage container 350 and the amount of gas output from the gas storage container 350 can be detected, so as to master the real amount of gas in the gas storage container 350 and control the gas storage operation. The pressure sensor 372 can detect the gas pressure in the gas storage container 350, so as to determine whether the gas pressure exceeds the pressure limit of the gas storage container 350, thereby avoiding damage to the gas storage container 350. The temperature sensor 373 is used to detect the temperature of the input compressed air, so as to avoid damage to the gas storage container 350 due to excessively high temperature of the input compressed air. The pressure sensor 372 and the temperature sensor 373 can ensure the stability of the underwater compressed air energy storage device.

[0050] Further, as shown in Figure 6 The execution unit 360 includes an air inlet valve 361 and an air outlet valve 362. The air inlet valve 361 is arranged in the air inlet pipeline, and the air outlet valve 362 is arranged in the air outlet pipeline 420. By arranging the air inlet valve 361 and the air outlet valve 362, the compressed mechanism 100 can input compressed air into the gas storage container 350 by opening the air inlet valve 361. After storage is completed, the air inlet valve 361 is closed. When it is necessary to output compressed air to the power generation mechanism 200, the air outlet valve 362 is opened, so that the compressed air can be output from the gas storage container 350, thereby facilitating the storage and release of compressed air.

[0051] In an optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 The compressed mechanism 100 includes a compressor 110 and a heat exchanger 120. The input end of the air inlet pipeline 410 is connected with the compressor 110, and the heat exchanger 120 is installed in the air inlet pipeline 410. Compressed air energy storage has the advantages of large scale, flexible scheduling, long energy storage time and environmental friendliness. The air is compressed by the compressor 110, so that the air is transmitted to the gas storage container 350 in a high-pressure state for storage. The temperature of the compressed high-pressure air will rise. In order to avoid damage to the gas storage container 350 by high-temperature air, the heat exchanger 120 is arranged to cool the compressed air, thereby avoiding damage to the gas storage container 350 due to excessively high temperature of the compressed air, ensuring the stability of the underwater compressed air energy storage device and reducing the damage rate.

[0052] Further, as shown in Figure 1As shown, the power generation mechanism 200 includes an expander 210 and a generator 220, the expander 210 is connected with the output end of the air outlet pipeline 420, and the expander 210 is connected with the generator 220. When it is needed to convert the compressed potential energy of the compressed air into electric energy to generate power, the compressed air is delivered to the expander 210, so that the compressed air drives the expander 210 to operate, and then drives the generator 220 to generate power, thereby completing the power generation link.

[0053] In an exemplary example, the expander 210 is a gas turbine, and the compressed air can drive the gas turbine to operate.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the load 340 includes a plurality of load 340, and the load 340 is provided with a connecting through hole 340A, and the connecting line 330 is movably arranged in the connecting through hole 340A. Since the gas storage container 350 needs to be stored to a specified depth underwater, and the gas storage container 350 storing the compressed air has buoyancy, in order to avoid the gas storage container 350 from changing position due to the buoyancy, the connecting line 330 is arranged through the plurality of loads 340, so that the gravity of the load 340 generates a downward pulling force on the gas storage container 350, thereby avoiding the gas storage container 350 from floating up.

[0055] In an exemplary example, the weight of a single load 340 is m, and by arranging n loads 340, the gravity G of the load 340 acting on the gas storage container 350 is equal to n×mg, and the maximum buoyancy F of the gas storage container 350 is related to the maximum gas storage volume V of the gas storage container 350, so that the maximum buoyancy F of the gas storage container 350 is equal to ρVg, wherein ρ is the density of water and g is the acceleration of gravity. It is needed to ensure that the gravity G of the gas storage container 350 is greater than or equal to the maximum buoyancy F of the gas storage container 350, so that the depth of the gas storage container 350 can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the connecting line 330, thereby avoiding the gas storage container 350 from floating up.

[0056] The underwater compressed air energy storage device described in the embodiment of the application adjusts the depth of the gas storage container 350 through the connecting line 330, and the depth of the gas storage container 350 determines the gas storage pressure P of the gas storage container 350, that is, the gas storage pressure P of the gas storage container 350 depends on the length h of the connecting line, so that the gas storage pressure P of the gas storage container 350 can be calculated through the length h of the connecting line. Specifically, the gas storage pressure P of the gas storage container 350 is equal to ρgh, wherein ρ is the density of water and g is the acceleration of gravity.

[0057] Further, the gas storage amount of the gas storage container 350 can also be determined by the pulling force of the connecting line 330. The pulling force F of the connecting line 330 is the gravity nmg of the gas storage container 350 minus the maximum buoyancy pVg of the gas storage container 350. When the position of the gas storage container 350 is unchanged, the gas storage pressure of the gas storage container 350 remains unchanged. The gas storage volume of the gas storage container 350 is proportional to the gas storage amount, and the buoyancy of the gas storage container 350 is proportional to the gas storage volume. Therefore, the gas storage amount of the gas storage container 350 can be calculated by the size of the pulling force F of the connecting line 330.

[0058] In another aspect, the application further provides an underwater compressed air energy storage method, which is applicable to the underwater compressed air energy storage device described in any of the above embodiments, and includes the following steps:

[0059] The gas storage container 350 is connected to one end of the connecting line 330, and the other end of the connecting line 330 is connected to the driving unit 320 of the floating platform 310. The load 340 is connected to the gas storage container 350.

[0060] The length of the connecting line 330 is adjusted by the driving unit 320, so that the gas storage container 350 floats or sinks, to adjust the gas storage pressure of the gas storage container 350.

[0061] When the power demand is low, the compressed mechanism 100 compresses air into the gas storage container 350 through the air inlet pipeline 410 for storage.

[0062] When the power demand is high, the gas storage container 350 transmits compressed air to the power generation mechanism 200 through the air outlet pipeline 420 for power generation.

[0063] The underwater compressed air energy storage method described in the embodiments of the application connects the gas storage container 350 to the floating platform 310. The gas storage container 350 sinks under the gravity of the load 340, and the driving unit 320 of the floating platform 310 can adjust the depth of the gas storage container 350 in water through the connecting line 330, to adjust the gas storage pressure of the gas storage container 350, so as to store compressed air in the gas storage container 350. When selecting a site, factors such as the depth and area of the underwater topography do not need to be considered, and complex construction under water is not required. The method has the advantages of good applicability and convenient construction.

[0064] In an optional embodiment, the underwater compressed air energy storage method further includes the following steps:

[0065] When the compression mechanism 100 compresses air into the air storage container 350, the control opens the air inlet valve 361 and closes the air outlet valve 362, so that the air inlet pipeline 410 and the air storage container 350 are connected, the flow sensor 371 detects the air storage amount input into the air storage container 350, the pressure sensor 372 detects the air storage pressure in the air storage container 350, and the temperature sensor 373 detects the air storage temperature in the air storage container 350.

[0066] When the air storage container 350 transmits compressed air to the power generation mechanism 200, the control opens the air outlet valve 362 and closes the air inlet valve 361, so that the air outlet pipeline 420 and the air storage container 350 are connected, and the flow sensor 371 detects the air storage amount output from the air storage container 350.

[0067] The underwater compressed air energy storage method described in the embodiments of the present application controls the compressed air to enter or exit the air storage container 350 through the air inlet valve 361 and the air outlet valve 362, and monitors the state and the air storage amount of the compressed air in real time through the flow sensor 371, the temperature sensor 373 and the pressure sensor 372, thereby improving the operation stability of the entire system and avoiding damage to the device caused by the compressed air.

[0068] The underwater compressed air energy storage device and method described in the embodiments of the present application have the following beneficial effects:

[0069] 1. The air storage container 350 is connected to the floating platform 310, and the driving unit 320 of the floating platform 310 can adjust the depth of the air storage container 350 in the water through the connecting line 330, so as to adjust the air storage pressure of the air storage container 350. When selecting a site, it is not necessary to consider the depth and area of the underwater topography, and it is not necessary to perform complex construction underwater, so that the device has the advantages of good applicability and convenient construction.

[0070] 2. The execution unit 360 and the detection unit 370 are arranged in the air storage container 350, so that the execution unit 360 can control the compressed air to input or output the air storage container 350, and the detection unit 370 can detect the input air storage amount, the output air storage amount, the air storage pressure and the air storage temperature in the air storage container 350, so that the controller 380 can perform optimal control on the air storage mechanism 300 according to these data, and the efficiency of the underwater compressed air energy storage device is higher.

[0071] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description simple, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are not described, however, as long as the combinations of the technical features do not exist contradictory, they should be considered as the scope of the present application.

[0072] The above embodiments only express several implementation ways of the present application, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation to the patent scope of the application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled persons in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, which all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An underwater compressed air energy storage device, characterized in that, include: A compression mechanism (100) for compressing air; A power generation mechanism (200) for converting the compressive potential energy of compressed air into electrical energy; and A gas storage mechanism (300) includes a floating platform (310), a drive unit (320), a connecting line (330), a load element (340), and a gas storage container (350). The drive unit (320) is disposed on the floating platform (310). One end of the connecting line (330) is connected to the drive unit (320), and the other end of the connecting line (330) is connected to the gas storage container (350). The load element (340) is connected to the gas storage container (350). 50) The gas storage container (350) is connected to the compression mechanism (100) through the air inlet pipe (410), and the gas storage container (350) is connected to the power generation mechanism (200) through the air outlet pipe (420); the gas storage mechanism (300) also includes a controller (380), a detection unit (370) and an execution unit (360), the detection unit (370) and the execution unit (360) are both disposed in the gas storage container (350), and the detection unit (370) and the execution unit (360) are both electrically connected to the controller (380); The detection unit (370) includes a flow sensor (371), a pressure sensor (372), and a temperature sensor (373). The flow sensor (371) is located at the inlet and outlet of the gas storage container (350), the pressure sensor (372) is located inside the gas storage container (350), and the temperature sensor (373) is located at the inlet of the gas storage container (350). The compression mechanism (100) includes a compressor (110) and a heat exchanger (120). The input end of the air inlet pipe (410) is connected to the compressor (110), and the heat exchanger (120) is installed on the air inlet pipe (410). The drive unit (320) is used to adjust the length of the connecting line (330) so that the gas storage container (350) floats or sinks to adjust the gas storage pressure of the gas storage container (350), and the weight G of the load member (340) acting on the gas storage container (350) is greater than or equal to the maximum buoyancy F of the gas storage container (350).

2. The underwater compressed air energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas storage container (350) is made of rubber.

3. The underwater compressed air energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The execution unit (360) includes an intake valve (361) and an exhaust valve (362), the intake valve (361) being disposed in the intake pipe (410) and the exhaust valve (362) being disposed in the exhaust pipe (420).

4. The underwater compressed air energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power generation mechanism (200) includes an expander (210) and a generator (220). The expander (210) is connected to the output end of the gas outlet pipe (420), and the expander (210) is connected to the generator (220).

5. The underwater compressed air energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The load member (340) includes a plurality of load members (340), and the load member (340) is provided with a connecting through hole (340A). The connecting wire (330) is movably passed through the connecting through hole (340A).

6. The underwater compressed air energy storage device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The drive unit (320), the connecting line (330), and the gas storage container (350) constitute a gas storage module, and the gas storage module includes multiple modules.

7. The underwater compressed air energy storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Multiple gas storage modules are arranged in an array on the floating platform (310).

8. The underwater compressed air energy storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The adjacent gas storage containers (350) are connected to each other by ropes (351).

9. A method for underwater compressed air energy storage, applicable to the underwater compressed air energy storage device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Connect one end of the gas storage container (350) to the connecting line (330), connect the other end of the connecting line (330) to the drive unit (320) of the floating platform (310), and connect the load component (340) to the gas storage container (350). The length of the connecting line (330) is adjusted by the drive unit (320) to make the gas storage container (350) float or sink, thereby adjusting the gas storage pressure of the gas storage container (350). When electricity demand is low, the compression mechanism (100) compresses air through the intake pipe (410) and stores it in the air storage container (350); When electricity demand is high, the gas storage container (350) transmits compressed air through the outlet pipe (420) to the power generation unit (200) to generate electricity.

10. The underwater compressed air energy storage method according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: When the compression mechanism (100) compresses air into the storage container (350), it controls the inlet valve (361) to open and the outlet valve (362) to close, so that the inlet pipe (410) and the storage container (350) are connected. The flow sensor (371) detects the amount of air entering the storage container (350), the pressure sensor (372) detects the storage pressure in the storage container (350), and the temperature sensor (373) detects the storage temperature in the storage container (350). When the gas storage container (350) transmits compressed air to the power generation mechanism (200), the control outlet valve (362) opens and the inlet valve (361) closes, so that the outlet pipe (420) is connected to the gas storage container (350), and the flow sensor (371) detects the amount of gas stored in the output gas storage container (350).

Images