Energy storage system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems, such as conventional compressed air energy storage (CAES), face limitations in scalability and location availability due to geological requirements, and existing chemisorption-based systems lack efficiency in managing surplus heat for variable work output.
Innovation Solution
A chemisorption-based energy storage system comprising two chemical reactors with sorbent materials and a heat exchanger module that selects the highest temperature heat source, allowing for the recovery of surplus heat and expansion of refrigerant fluid to provide variable work output, optimizing desorption temperatures for improved thermal and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional compressed air energy storage (CAES) is used for large scale energy storage, then grid scale energy storage from 10-300 megawatts is achieved, but specific geological conditions are required which limits location availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression-based CAES system with a chemisorption-based system using sorbent materials that chemically bind and release refrigerant fluids. This substitution eliminates the need for geological cave storage and high-pressure mechanical compression, enabling energy storage in locations without specific geological conditions while maintaining large-scale storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters from mechanical pressure-based storage to temperature-controlled chemisorption equilibrium. By controlling temperature rather than pressure, the system achieves energy storage without requiring the high-pressure infrastructure and geological conditions of conventional CAES, thereby improving location adaptability
2Volume of stationary object
If adsorption enhanced compressed air energy system is used with porous materials, then storage tank volume is reduced due to denser absorbed phase, but surplus heat management efficiency is insufficient for variable work output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic temperature control systems with multiple heat sources and heat sinks that can adjust operating conditions in real-time. This allows the chemisorption system to dynamically optimize between storage density and work output by adjusting temperature differentials, enabling variable work output while maintaining compact storage volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by introducing controllable temperature differentials through multiple heat sources and sinks. This enables the system to adjust the chemisorption equilibrium dynamically, converting surplus heat into variable work output while maintaining the volume benefits of porous sorbent materials
3Device complexity
If single heat source is used in chemisorption system, then system simplicity is maintained, but thermal efficiency is insufficient for optimizing desorption temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the heat exchanger module universal by enabling it to select from multiple heat sources and heat sinks based on operating conditions. This multi-functionality allows the system to optimize thermal efficiency for different desorption temperatures without requiring completely different system configurations, balancing complexity with performance
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger module with selection capability enables the system to self-optimize by automatically selecting the most appropriate heat source and sink combinations for current operating conditions. This self-service capability improves thermal efficiency without requiring external control systems, maintaining relative simplicity while optimizing performance
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
The system enhances energy storage efficiency by identifying and utilizing optimal desorption temperature ranges for sorbent materials, enabling continuous mechanical energy generation while providing cooling or heating, and using environmentally friendly refrigerants like ammonia, methanol, or steam, thus overcoming limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerant fluid is adsorbed onto the first or second sorbent material when the first or second sorbent material is subject to a temperature lower than the equilibrium temperature of the first or second sorbent-refrigerant reaction at the working pressure
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant fluid is desorbed from the first or second sorbent material when the first or second sorbent material is subject to a temperature higher than the equilibrium temperature of the first or second sorbent-refrigerant reaction at the working pressure
Implementation Method 3
the heat source is arranged to heat the refrigerant fluid prior to the refrigerant fluid passing through the expander module
Implementation Method 4
the expander module is configured to expand the refrigerant fluid; wherein the expander module is operable to expand the refrigerant fluid to provide a variable work output depending on energy storage requirements
Implementation Method 5
the heat exchanger is configured to recover a surplus heat from the highest temperature heat source
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed an energy storage system. In particular, there is disclosed a chemisorption based energy storage system, able to provide electricity, heating or cooling depending on the desired energy output. The energy storage system includes a first chemical reactor containing a first sorbent material and a second chemical reactor containing a second sorbent material. The first and second chemical reactors are in mutual fluid connection such that a refrigerant fluid can flow from the first chemical reactor to the second chemical reactor, and from the second chemical reactor to the first chemical reactor. The first and second chemical reactors are further provided with means for putting heat in to, or taking heat out of, the first and/or the second chemical reactors. A heat exchanger module is also provided. The heat exchanger module is configured to select from a plurality of available heat sources, a heat source having the highest temperature and an expander module selectively connected to the first chemical reactor and the second chemical reactor via the heat exchanger module. The heat source is arranged to heat the refrigerant fluid prior to the refrigerant fluid passing through the expander module, and the heat exchanger is configured to recover a surplus heat from the highest temperature heat source. The expander module is configured to expand the refrigerant fluid. The means for putting heat in to, or taking heat out of, the first and/or the second chemical reactors provides a flow of refrigerant fluid between the expander module and the first and second chemical reactors, and wherein the expander module is operable to expand the refrigerant fluid to provide a variable work output depending on energy storage requirements.