Overground compressed air storage system and operation method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of compressed air storage, and discloses an overground compressed air storage system and an operation method.The air storage system comprises a compression assembly, an air storage assembly and a drainage assembly, the compression assembly is suitable for compressing air, the air storage assembly and the compression assembly are connected with an air inlet pipeline, and the air storage assembly comprises a plurality of air inlet mother pipes; one end of the air inlet main pipe is connected with the air inlet pipeline, the other end of the air inlet main pipe is connected with the multiple air inlet branch pipes connected in parallel, each air inlet branch pipe is connected with the multiple air storage devices in series, and the drainage assembly is connected with the air storage devices. And in addition, the modularized gas storage system can realize sub-unit control, so that the operation efficiency of the system is improved, the operation reliability and the capacity expansion flexibility are guaranteed, and the convenience of operation and maintenance is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of compressed air storage technology, specifically to above-ground compressed air storage systems and their operation methods. Background Technology

[0002] Compressed air energy storage (CAES) is a technology that stores energy using compressed air and releases it when needed. Its core principle is to use electrical energy to compress air during periods of low grid load and release the compressed air to drive a steam turbine to generate electricity during periods of high grid load.

[0003] In existing technologies, compressed air is typically stored in salt caverns or artificial chambers. Salt cavern-based compressed air energy storage power stations have the lowest cost because salt caverns already exist, making construction costs significantly lower than other types of compressed air storage equipment. However, salt caverns are limited by geographical conditions, making flexible layout and large-scale deployment difficult, thus hindering the matching of energy storage systems with new energy loads. Furthermore, the high-pressure air containing impurities from the salt caverns poses a corrosion risk to pipelines. Artificial chambers reduce dependence on geographical conditions to some extent, but exploration risks exist, and the construction period is approximately 1 to 2 years, resulting in a longer construction timeline. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an above-ground compressed air storage system and its operation method to solve the problems of the difficulty in achieving flexible layout and large-scale promotion of salt caverns in the prior art, as well as the long construction period of artificial caverns.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an above-ground compressed air storage system, comprising a compression component, a storage component, and a drainage component. The compression component is adapted to compress air. The storage component is connected to the compression component by an air intake pipe. The storage component includes several main air intake pipes. One end of the main air intake pipe is connected to the air intake pipe, and the other end is connected to several parallel air intake branch pipes. Several air storage devices are connected in series on each air intake branch pipe. The air storage devices are adapted to be installed on the ground. The drainage component is connected to the air storage devices.

[0006] In one optional embodiment, the air inlet pipeline between the compression assembly and the gas storage assembly is provided with a first shut-off valve, a second shut-off valve, a first temperature transmitter, and a first pressure transmitter.

[0007] In one alternative embodiment, the intake header is equipped with a third shut-off valve, a second temperature transmitter, a second pressure transmitter, and a safety valve.

[0008] In one alternative implementation, the compression assembly includes a filter, a compressor, a check valve, and a fourth shut-off valve connected in sequence.

[0009] In one optional embodiment, the drainage assembly includes drainage branch pipes, drainage main pipes, and a water collection tank. Several drainage branch pipes are arranged in parallel, each drainage branch pipe is connected to an air storage device on an air inlet branch pipe, the drainage main pipe is connected to the drainage branch pipes, and the water collection tank is connected to the drainage main pipe.

[0010] In one alternative implementation, the gas storage device, drainage branch pipe, and drainage main pipe are installed at an angle to the horizontal plane.

[0011] In one alternative embodiment, the drainage assembly further includes a heating element and a temperature sensor, the heating element being disposed on the drainage branch pipe and the drainage main pipe, and the temperature sensor being disposed on the drainage main pipe.

[0012] In one alternative embodiment, the water collection tank is equipped with a third temperature transmitter, a third pressure transmitter, a level sensor, a sixth shut-off valve, and a throttling orifice plate.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, a pressure balancing pipe is provided between the water collection tank and one of the gas storage devices, and a control valve is provided on the pressure balancing pipe.

[0014] In one alternative implementation, the first shut-off valve is an electrically operated gate valve.

[0015] Secondly, the present invention also provides an operation method for an above-ground compressed air storage system, applicable to the above-mentioned above-ground compressed air storage system, comprising the following steps: When storing gas, determine whether there is residual pressure inside the gas storage equipment; If the residual pressure inside the gas storage device is zero, open any valve along the pipeline to input the compressed gas generated by the compression component into the gas storage device. If there is residual pressure in the gas storage equipment, first open the second shut-off valve, the third shut-off valve and the fourth shut-off valve, and then open the first shut-off valve. When gas storage is complete, first close the second shut-off valve, then close the first shut-off valve, the third shut-off valve, and the fourth shut-off valve. When releasing energy, first open the third shut-off valve, then open the second shut-off valve, and finally open the first shut-off valve. After the energy release is complete, first close the second shut-off valve, then close the third shut-off valve, and finally close the first shut-off valve. When draining water, first open the control valve, then open the sixth shut-off valve.

[0016] Beneficial effects: 1. This invention connects several gas storage devices installed above the ground in series to form an air intake branch pipe, and then connects several air intake branch pipes in parallel to form a gas storage assembly. On the one hand, it can reduce the frictional resistance of airflow and reduce pressure drop energy loss. On the other hand, it can improve the space utilization rate of the gas storage system and reduce the floor space occupied. Furthermore, the modular gas storage system can realize unit control, improve system operating efficiency, ensure operational reliability and capacity expansion flexibility, and enhance the convenience of operation and maintenance.

[0017] 2. The present invention installs the gas storage equipment and drainage pipe at an angle, which can ensure that the condensate in the equipment flows to the water collection tank without external force, and heating elements are installed on the drainage branch pipe and the drainage main pipe to ensure that the drainage components are not affected by the external ambient temperature.

[0018] 3. The present invention can automatically start and stop the pneumatic shut-off valve for drainage according to the liquid level and pressure signal of the water collection tank. A throttling orifice plate is arranged after the pneumatic shut-off valve in the drainage pipeline to reduce the drainage pressure and prevent drainage jetting. Attached Figure Description

[0019] 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.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an above-ground compressed air storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an air storage component in an above-ground compressed air storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a drainage component in a ground-based compressed air storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a water collection tank in an above-ground compressed air storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the operation method of an above-ground compressed air storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Compression assembly; 101. Filter; 102. Compressor; 103. Check valve; 104. Fourth shut-off valve; 2. Gas storage assembly; 201. Inlet pipe; 202. Inlet main pipe; 203. Inlet branch pipe; 204. Gas storage equipment; 205. First shut-off valve; 206. Second shut-off valve; 207. First temperature transmitter; 208. First pressure transmitter; 209. Third shut-off valve; 210. Second temperature transmitter; 211. Second pressure transmitter; 212. Safety valve; 3. Drainage assembly; 301. Drainage branch pipe; 302. Drainage main pipe; 303. Water collection tank; 304. Third temperature transmitter; 305. Third pressure transmitter; 306. Liquid level sensor; 307. Sixth shut-off valve; 308. Orifice plate; 309. Pressure balance pipe; 310. Control valve; 311. Fifth shut-off valve; 312. Drainage main pipe; 313. Main drain shut-off valve; 314. Seventh shut-off valve; 4. Power generation components; 401. Generator; 402. Expander; 403. Control valve. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. 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.

[0023] The following is combined Figures 1 to 5 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] According to embodiments of the present invention, in one aspect, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a ground-based compressed air storage system is provided, including a compression component 1, a storage component 2, and a drainage component 3. The compression component 1 is adapted to compress air. The storage component 2 is connected to the compression component 1 by an air inlet pipe 201. The storage component 2 includes several air inlet main pipes 202. One end of the air inlet main pipe 202 is connected to the air inlet pipe 201, and the other end is connected to several parallel air inlet branch pipes 203. Several air storage devices 204 are connected in series on each air inlet branch pipe 203. The drainage component 3 is connected to the air storage devices 204.

[0025] Specifically, this embodiment does not impose any specific limitations on the gas storage device 204. For example, in this embodiment, the gas storage device 204 can be a cylinder or a sphere. When the cylinder is short, it can be processed in the factory and the finished product can be transported to the project site. The gas storage device 204 has two flange connection ports arranged at the front and rear. The gas storage devices 204 are connected by straight pipes. When the cylinder is long, multiple cylinder sections can be spliced ​​on site, which can save the connection pipelines between the gas storage devices 204.

[0026] In this embodiment, the gas storage device is suitable for installation on the ground. The compression assembly 1 is connected to N1 main air inlet pipes 202. Each main air inlet pipe 202 has N3 branch air inlet pipes 203. Each branch air inlet pipe 203 is connected in series with N2 gas storage devices 204. The total number of gas storage devices 204 in the entire gas storage system is N1×N2×N3. The parallel pipeline networks of different N1, N2, and N3 gas storage systems have different flow characteristics, representing different gas storage system design schemes.

[0027] In this embodiment, the gas storage component 2 is placed above the ground, which can shorten the construction period and is not limited by the site.

[0028] In this embodiment, the drainage component 3 is connected to the gas storage device 204 and is used to collect and drain the condensate in the gas storage device 204.

[0029] This invention connects several gas storage devices 204 installed above the ground in series to form an air intake branch pipe 203, and then connects several air intake branch pipes 203 in parallel to form a gas storage assembly 2. On the one hand, it can reduce the frictional resistance of airflow and reduce pressure drop energy loss. On the other hand, it can improve the space utilization rate of the gas storage system and reduce the floor space. Furthermore, the modular gas storage system can realize unit control, improve system operating efficiency, ensure operational reliability and capacity expansion flexibility, and enhance the convenience of operation and maintenance.

[0030] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the air inlet pipe 201 between the compression assembly 1 and the air storage assembly 2 is equipped with a first shut-off valve 205, a second shut-off valve 206, a first temperature transmitter 207, and a first pressure transmitter 208.

[0031] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first shut-off valve 205 is an electrically operated shut-off valve, and the second shut-off valve 206 is a pneumatically operated shut-off valve.

[0032] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the intake manifold 202 is equipped with a third shut-off valve 209, a second temperature transmitter 210, a second pressure transmitter 211 and a safety valve 212.

[0033] Specifically, in this embodiment, the third shut-off valve 209 is a pneumatic shut-off valve.

[0034] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the compression assembly 1 includes a filter 101, a compressor 102, a check valve 103, and a fourth shut-off valve 104 connected in sequence.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, the compression assembly 1 includes a filter 101, a compressor 102, a check valve 103, and a fourth shut-off valve 104 connected in sequence along the gas flow direction. In this embodiment, the fourth shut-off valve 104 is a pneumatic shut-off valve.

[0036] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the drainage component 3 includes a drainage branch pipe 301, a drainage main pipe 302, and a water collection tank 303. Several drainage branch pipes 301 are arranged in parallel. Each drainage branch pipe 301 is connected to the air storage device 204 on the air inlet branch pipe 203. The drainage main pipe 302 is connected to the drainage branch pipe 301, and the water collection tank 303 is connected to the drainage main pipe 302.

[0037] Specifically, in this embodiment, the drainage process is the reverse of the gas storage process. The drainage branch pipe 301 is connected to the lowest point of the gas storage device 204. The condensate from the N1×N2×N3 gas storage devices 204 first flows into the N2 drainage branch pipe 301, then converges into the N1 drainage header pipe 302. The drainage header pipe 302 then flows through the main drainage pipe 312 to the collection tank 303, and finally discharges. The condensate can be recycled or discharged into the sewer. To ensure that the condensate in the equipment flows downstream to the collection tank 303 without external force, the water flow must always be downhill, and the collection tank 303 is at the lowest position. The gas storage devices 204, drainage branch pipes 301, and drainage header pipe 302 are inclined along the direction of water flow. In this embodiment, the drainage header pipe 302 is equipped with a fifth shut-off valve 311, and the main drainage pipe 312 is equipped with a main drainage shut-off valve 313.

[0038] In one embodiment, the gas storage device 204, the drainage branch pipe 301, and the drainage main pipe 302 are installed at an angle to the horizontal plane.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, the gas storage device 204 is installed at an angle of 3 to 5 degrees to facilitate the collection of condensate in the gas storage device 204 at the lowest point, and the drainage branch pipe 301 is connected to the lowest point of the gas storage device 204.

[0040] In one embodiment, the drainage assembly 3 further includes a heating element and a temperature sensor. The heating element is disposed on the drainage branch pipe 301 and the drainage main pipe 302, and the temperature sensor is disposed on the drainage main pipe 302.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, considering changes in ambient temperature, heating elements are installed on the drainage branch pipe 301 and the drainage main pipe 302. In this embodiment, the heating elements are electric heat tracing, and external insulation is laid on the outer walls of the drainage branch pipe 301 and the drainage main pipe 302. The start and stop of the electric heat tracing can be automatically controlled. A temperature sensor is arranged on each drainage main pipe 302, and upper and lower temperature limits are set. Heating stops when the pipe temperature is not lower than the upper limit temperature, and heating starts when the pipe temperature is not higher than the lower limit temperature.

[0042] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the water collection tank 303 is equipped with a third temperature transmitter 304, a third pressure transmitter 305, a liquid level sensor 306, a sixth shut-off valve 307, and a throttling orifice plate 308.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, the water collection tank 303 is used to collect condensate. A third temperature transmitter 304 and a third pressure transmitter 305 are arranged on the top of the water collection tank 303 to monitor the temperature and pressure within the tank. A level sensor 306 monitors the liquid level in the tank. A drain branch pipe 301 connects the top of the water collection tank 303 to the drain header pipe 302. A seventh shut-off valve 314 is installed on the drain branch pipe 301. A drain pipe 315 is connected to the bottom of the water collection tank 303. A sixth shut-off valve 307 is installed on the drain pipe 315. A throttling orifice plate 308 is arranged after the sixth shut-off valve 307 to reduce drainage pressure and prevent drainage jetting. In this embodiment, both the fifth shut-off valve 311 and the sixth shut-off valve 307 are pneumatic shut-off valves.

[0044] In this embodiment, heating elements and external insulation are required for the water collection tank 303, the inlet pipe, and the drain pipe. The automatic drainage mode can be set to automatically open the sixth shut-off valve 307 when the liquid level in the water collection tank 303 is higher than the upper limit and the pressure is lower than the lower limit. Different drainage modes can be set by adjusting the set value.

[0045] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, a pressure balancing pipe 309 is provided between the water collection tank 303 and one of the gas storage devices 204, and a control valve 310 is provided on the pressure balancing pipe 309.

[0046] Specifically, in this embodiment, to ensure that the condensate in the gas storage device 204 flows to the water collection tank 303 without external force, a pressure balancing pipe 309 is connected between the gas storage device 204 and the water collection tank 303 to ensure that there is no pressure difference between the two. A control valve 310 is installed on the pressure balancing pipe 309.

[0047] In this embodiment, the compressed air storage system also includes a power generation component 4, which includes a generator 401, an expander 402 and a regulating valve 403. The expander 402 is connected to the air storage component 2, and a regulating valve 403 is provided between the expander 402 and the air storage component 2. The generator 401 is connected to the expander 402.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first shut-off valve 205 is an electric gate valve, and the second shut-off valve 206, the third shut-off valve 209, the fourth shut-off valve 104, the fifth shut-off valve 311, the sixth shut-off valve 307, the seventh shut-off valve 314, the check valve 103, the safety valve 212, the control valve 310, and the regulating valve 403 are electric or pneumatic ball valves.

[0049] In this embodiment, the shut-off valve is used to isolate the gas storage component 2, and the check valve 103 prevents gas from flowing back into the gas storage component 2.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the other hand, such as Figure 5 As shown, an operation method for an above-ground compressed air storage system is also provided, applicable to the above-mentioned above-ground compressed air storage system, comprising the following steps: During gas storage, determine whether there is residual pressure inside the gas storage device 204.

[0051] Specifically, in this embodiment, when storing gas, it is necessary to first check the pressure inside each gas storage device 204 to determine whether the pressure inside each gas storage device 204 is zero.

[0052] If the residual pressure inside the gas storage device 204 is zero, then any valve along the pipeline can be opened to input the compressed gas generated by the compression component 1 into the gas storage device 204.

[0053] Specifically, during the initial gas storage, when the pressure inside the gas storage device 204 is zero, the first shut-off valve 205, the second shut-off valve 206, the third shut-off valve 209, and the fourth shut-off valve 104 can be opened in any sequence. External air is filtered by the filter 101 and then compressed in the compressor 102. The compressed gas is then transported to the storage device for storage.

[0054] If there is residual pressure in the gas storage device 204, first open the second shut-off valve 206, the third shut-off valve 209 and the fourth shut-off valve 104, and then open the first shut-off valve 205.

[0055] Specifically, when there is residual pressure in the gas storage device 204, it indicates that there is still gas participating in compression within the device. Since the opening and closing of the pneumatic shut-off valves are driven by compressed air, the second shut-off valve 206, the third shut-off valve 209, and the fourth shut-off valve 104 (all pneumatic shut-off valves) must be opened first, followed by the first shut-off valve 205 (electric shut-off valve). In particular, the volume of the gas storage device 204 must not be changed during the gas storage process; that is, the third shut-off valve 209 must not be started or stopped during gas storage to avoid inducing surge in the compressor 102.

[0056] When gas storage is complete, first close the second shut-off valve 206, then close the first shut-off valve 205, the third shut-off valve 209 and the fourth shut-off valve 104.

[0057] Specifically, when gas storage is completed, the first shut-off valve 205, which is electrically operated, is closed first, followed by the second shut-off valve 206, the third shut-off valve 209, and the fourth shut-off valve 104, which are pneumatically operated.

[0058] When releasing energy, first open the third shut-off valve 209, then open the second shut-off valve 206, and finally open the first shut-off valve 205.

[0059] Specifically, when releasing energy, all third shut-off valves 209 are opened first, or only the third shut-off valves 209 on individual intake manifolds 202 can be opened, depending on the grid dispatch. Then the second shut-off valve 206 is opened, and finally the first shut-off valve 205 is opened. By controlling the opening of the regulating valve 403, the expander 402 is driven to drive the generator 401 to generate electrical energy.

[0060] After the energy release is completed, first close the second shut-off valve 206, then close the third shut-off valve 209, and finally close the first shut-off valve 205.

[0061] Specifically, after the energy release is completed, the second shut-off valve 206 and the third shut-off valve 209 on each intake manifold 202 are closed in sequence, and finally the first shut-off valve 205 is closed.

[0062] When draining water, first open control valve 310, then open the sixth shut-off valve 307.

[0063] Specifically, after the energy release is completed, the gas storage system can be drained. First, the control valve 310 is opened to balance the pressure of the gas storage device 204 and the water collection tank 303. Then, the sixth shut-off valve 307 on each drain header 302 and the main drain shut-off valve 313 on the main drain pipe 312 are opened in sequence. When the drainage conditions are met, the main drain shut-off valve 313 and the control valve 310 are closed.

[0064] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ground-based compressed air storage system, characterized in that, include: Compression assembly (1), the compression assembly (1) being adapted to compress air; Gas storage assembly (2), the gas storage assembly (2) is connected to the compression assembly (1) by an air inlet pipe (201), the gas storage assembly (2) includes several air inlet main pipes (202), one end of the air inlet main pipe (202) is connected to the air inlet pipe (201), and the other end is connected to several parallel air inlet branch pipes (203), and several gas storage devices (204) are connected in series on each air inlet branch pipe (203), the gas storage devices (204) are suitable for being installed on the ground; Drainage assembly (3) is connected to the gas storage device (204).

2. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet pipe (201) between the compression assembly (1) and the gas storage assembly (2) is provided with a first shut-off valve (205), a second shut-off valve (206), a first temperature transmitter (207), and a first pressure transmitter (208).

3. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intake manifold (202) is equipped with a third shut-off valve (209), a second temperature transmitter (210), a second pressure transmitter (211), and a safety valve (212).

4. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compression assembly (1) includes a filter (101), a compressor (102), a check valve (103), and a fourth shut-off valve (104) connected in sequence.

5. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage assembly (3) includes: A drainage branch pipe (301) is provided in parallel, and each drainage branch pipe (301) is connected to the gas storage device (204) on the air inlet branch pipe (203); A main drain pipe (302) is connected to a branch drain pipe (301); A water collection tank (303) is connected to the drain header (302).

6. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The gas storage device (204), the drainage branch pipe (301), and the drainage main pipe (302) are installed at an angle to the horizontal plane.

7. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drainage assembly (3) also includes: A heating element is provided on the drain branch pipe (301) and the drain main pipe (302); A temperature sensor is provided on the drain header (302).

8. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The water collection tank (303) is equipped with a third temperature transmitter (304), a third pressure transmitter (305), a liquid level sensor (306), a sixth shut-off valve (307), and a throttling orifice plate (308).

9. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 8, characterized in that, A pressure balancing pipe (309) is provided between the water collection tank (303) and one of the gas storage devices (204), and a control valve (310) is provided on the pressure balancing pipe (309).

10. The above-ground compressed air storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first shut-off valve (205) is an electric gate valve.

11. A method for operating a ground-based compressed air storage system, characterized in that, The above-ground compressed air storage system applied to any one of claims 1 to 10 includes the following steps: During gas storage, determine whether there is residual pressure inside the gas storage device (204); If the residual pressure inside the gas storage device (204) is zero, then open any valve along the pipeline to input the compressed gas generated by the compression component (1) into the gas storage device (204). If there is residual pressure in the gas storage device (204), first open the second shut-off valve (206), the third shut-off valve (209) and the fourth shut-off valve (104), and then open the first shut-off valve (205). When gas storage is complete, first close the second shut-off valve (206), then close the first shut-off valve (205), the third shut-off valve (209) and the fourth shut-off valve (104). When releasing energy, first open the third shut-off valve (209), then open the second shut-off valve (206), and finally open the first shut-off valve (205). After the energy release is completed, first close the second shut-off valve (206), then close the third shut-off valve (209), and finally close the first shut-off valve (205). When draining water, first open the control valve (310), then open the sixth shut-off valve (307).

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