Adiabatic Compressed Air Storage Electrical Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Adiabatic compressed air storage power plants face limited availability due to heat loss and icing issues, leading to inefficient energy storage and generation, especially during long-term operations and peak demand periods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of additional electrical heating in the heat accumulator and compressed air system to maintain a uniform turbomachine inlet temperature and pressure, using electrical auxiliary heating to compensate for heat losses and prevent icing, along with the use of an isobaric compressed air storage device to maintain constant pressure and temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional electrical heating is implemented in the heat accumulator and compressed air system, then the availability and efficiency of the power plant is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary electrical heating system as a mediator between the heat accumulator and the compressed air flow. This intermediary heating capability allows precise temperature control of the compressed air before it enters the turbine, ensuring reliable operation while managing the complexity through controlled intervention rather than fundamental system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the temperature parameter of the compressed air through electrical heating. By controlling the inlet temperature to the turbine within an optimal range, the system improves availability and efficiency without requiring complete system redesign, accepting controlled complexity increases in exchange for significant reliability gains
2Productivity
If additional electrical heating is used to maintain uniform turbomachine inlet temperature, then the efficiency of electricity production is improved, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the temperature of the compressed air at the turbomachine inlet and adjusting the electrical heating accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the inlet temperature remains within the optimal range for efficient electricity production, maximizing productivity while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption through precise, demand-based heating control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using electrical heating only to the extent necessary to maintain uniform and optimal inlet temperature to the turbomachine. Rather than continuously heating the compressed air, the system applies heating selectively and proportionally to the actual temperature deficit, improving electricity production efficiency while limiting energy loss to only what is strictly necessary
3Reliability
If electrical auxiliary heating is applied to compensate for heat losses, then the availability during long-term operations is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using electrical auxiliary heating to compensate for heat losses in the heat accumulator before the compressed air becomes too cold to operate efficiently. By proactively maintaining the temperature of the stored compressed air and the heat accumulator, the system ensures availability during long-term operations, accepting increased energy use as a preventive measure rather than a reactive correction
4Productivity
If isobaric compressed air storage device is used to maintain constant pressure and temperature, then the efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by maintaining constant pressure and temperature parameters in the compressed air storage system through isobaric design. By controlling these thermodynamic parameters to remain within optimal ranges, the system improves efficiency without requiring complex dynamic adjustments, accepting moderate complexity increases for significant productivity gains through stable operating conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the availability and efficiency of adiabatic compressed air storage power plants by ensuring consistent electricity production, allowing for full discharge of compressed air storage and increased electricity draw from the grid, even during storage mode, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
electrical auxiliary heating to compensate for heat losses and prevent icing
Implementation Method 2
An adiabatic change of state can be assumed here as an approximation, in which the work performed by the compressor on the air directly increases the internal energy of the air and thus its temperature
Implementation Method 3
The air cools down considerably during the expansion in the turbine
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves providing turbo engines (02,03) for compressing and/or decompressing the compressed air. The turbo engine is made to communicate with a pressure accumulator (04) for temporarily storing the compressed air. A heat reservoir (05) is provided for storage of the air accumulated heat and releasing of the compressed air. The storage operation of the heat accumulator is performed when the reservoir is full. An independent claim is included for an adiabatic compressed air energy storage power plant.