Chemisorption Energy Storage with Dual Reactors for Flexible Siting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems, such as compressed air energy storage (CAES), are limited by geographical constraints and have low storage density, making them inefficient and costly for widespread implementation, especially for storing excess energy produced by intermittent sources like wind and wave.
Innovation Solution
A chemisorption-based energy storage device utilizing two chemical reactors with sorbent materials of different affinities for a refrigerant gas at varying temperatures, coupled with a compressor/expander module, allows for efficient thermal and electric energy storage, enabling flexible energy recovery as electricity, heating, or cooling, and can be housed in low-pressure tanks, reducing size and location constraints.
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 storage capacity is achieved, but geographical location is limited due to specific geological conditions required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression and storage of air in geological formations with a chemisorption-based system using solid sorbent materials in chemical reactors. This substitution eliminates the need for specific geological conditions while maintaining large-scale energy storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous sorbent materials in chemical reactors to store energy through chemisorption. These materials provide high surface area and porosity for efficient energy storage without requiring underground cavities or specific geological structures, enabling flexible installation locations.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional CAES systems are implemented, then energy storage is achieved, but storage density is low resulting in large system size
Solution Approach 1:
The use of porous sorbent materials with high surface area to volume ratio enables dense energy storage within compact chemical reactors, significantly increasing storage density compared to conventional CAES systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the storage system by using chemisorption at molecular level, which achieves much higher energy density per unit volume compared to macroscopic air compression methods.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional CAES is used, then energy storage is achieved, but the system becomes astronomically expensive or unachievably large for certain storage quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The chemisorption system using porous materials achieves high energy storage capacity in compact, manufacturable units, avoiding the astronomical costs and unmanageable sizes associated with conventional CAES for certain storage quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the energy storage system into modular chemical reactors containing sorbent materials, allowing scalable deployment from small to large scale applications without the exponential cost increases typical of conventional CAES.
4Volume of stationary object
If adsorption enhanced compressed air energy storage is used with porous materials, then storage vessel volume is reduced due to denser absorbed phase, but the system still requires specific storage conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical air compression and storage with chemisorption in chemical reactors, eliminating remaining location constraints while maintaining compact volume through high-density molecular storage.
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 chemisorption-based system achieves higher storage density and efficiency compared to conventional systems, is cost-effective due to reduced size and simpler construction, and can be installed in various locations, offering flexible energy output and reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a first chemical reactor containing a first sorbent material and a second chemical reactor containing a second sorbent material, the first sorbent material having an affinity towards a refrigerant gas at a first temperature and the second sorbent material having an affinity towards the refrigerant gas at a second temperature
Implementation Method 2
the compressor/expander module being configured to either compress or expand the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
the first and second chemical reactors being further provided with means for putting heat in to, or taking heat out of, the first and/or the second sorbent materials
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a chemisorption based energy storage device, able to provide electricity, heating or cooling depending on the desired energy output. The device typically comprises sorbent materials which have an affinity for a refrigerant gas at different temperatures.