Carnot Battery Turbine Thermal Management With Buffer Tank for Rapid Start-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coal-fired power plants used in Carnot batteries face challenges in rapid start-up and responsiveness due to the need for stable steam parameters during preheating, which is not compatible with network requirements, and they rely on fossil fuels for quick steam production.
Innovation Solution
An additional thermal storage unit is connected to the steam cycle, separate from the Carnot battery, to preheat and maintain the temperature of the steam cycle and turbine, using thermal energy stored in the Carnot battery, especially during periods of low electricity demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a steam turbine is used in a Carnot battery for electricity production, then electricity can be generated from stored thermal energy, but the turbine cannot be started up rapidly when electricity is needed due to preheating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preheating the steam cycle and turbine using stored thermal energy from the Carnot battery's thermal storage system before electricity production is needed. This preheating process prepares the turbine for rapid start-up by eliminating the need for external fossil fuel combustion, allowing the turbine to reach operational temperature quickly when electricity demand arises.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thermal energy as an intermediary substance to transfer heat from the thermal storage system to the steam cycle and turbine. This intermediary thermal energy enables the turbine to be preheated without direct fossil fuel combustion, bridging the gap between stored renewable energy and rapid turbine start-up capability.
2Productivity
If fossil fuels are used for quick steam production during turbine start-up, then rapid electricity production is achieved, but carbon emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of slow turbine start-up (which required fossil fuel combustion) into a benefit by using the stored thermal energy from the Carnot battery. The thermal energy that was stored for electricity generation is now also used to preheat the turbine, eliminating the need for fossil fuels during start-up and thus converting a operational limitation into an environmental advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The Carnot battery system serves itself by using its own stored thermal energy to preheat the turbine for rapid start-up. The system does not require external fossil fuel sources because it utilizes its internally stored thermal energy, making the start-up process self-sufficient and carbon-free.
3Speed
If the steam cycle is preheated using steam from an existing steam cycle, then rapid start-up is enabled, but the steam cycle parameters become unstable due to turbine load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the preheating function from the main steam cycle by using a separate thermal storage system. Instead of relying on steam from the operating turbine (which has variable parameters), the system extracts and stores thermal energy independently, then uses this stored energy to preheat the turbine. This separation stabilizes the preheating process by decoupling it from turbine load variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter source for preheating from variable turbine steam parameters to stable stored thermal energy parameters. By using thermal energy stored at consistent temperatures in the Carnot battery's thermal storage system, the preheating process maintains stable and predictable steam cycle parameters regardless of turbine load 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
Enables rapid and efficient start-up of turbines without fossil fuels, utilizing surplus renewable energy for preheating, maintaining steam cycle temperature, and reducing carbon footprint.
Implementation Method 1
an additional thermal storage unit fluidically connected to the steam cycle and intended for storing steam from the steam cycle
Implementation Method 2
a pair of preheating fluid connections comprising a fluid connection for supplying steam to the turbine arranged between the thermal storage device and the steam cycle upstream of the turbine making it possible to ensure the fluid connection of the thermal storage device to the steam cycle so as to ensure preheating and/or maintaining the temperature of all or part of the steam cycle and preferably at least the turbine
Implementation Method 3
a module for transforming the heat, destored from the storage module, into electricity, the module for transforming the heat destored from the storage module into electricity comprising a steam cycle and a turbine arranged on the steam cycle to expand the steam for the production of electricity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising a Carnot battery comprising a module for transforming electricity into heat, a thermal storage module, and a heat transformation module, comprising a steam cycle and a turbine arranged on the steam cycle for the purpose of producing electricity. The system comprises an additional thermal storage unit fluidically connected to the steam cycle and intended for storing steam from the steam cycle and separate from the thermal storage module of the Carnot battery, the additional thermal storage unit comprising at least one thermal storage device, a buffer tank and a fluid connection for supplying the buffer tank, a fluid connection for supplying steam to the turbine, a return fluid connection, a load fluid connection and a discharge fluid connection.