Closed Cycle Air Injection for Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat engine and heat pump systems face challenges in efficiently storing and releasing thermal energy, particularly in achieving high roundtrip efficiency and flexible power generation control, due to limitations in thermodynamic cycles and heat exchanger design.
Innovation Solution
A closed thermodynamic cycle system incorporating a reversible Brayton cycle with a working fluid circulating through heat exchangers, a turbine, and a compressor, along with a second compressor to inject compressed environmental air, allowing for dynamic power control and efficient thermal energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a closed thermodynamic cycle system uses a working fluid circulating through heat exchangers, turbine, and compressor, then thermal energy storage and release efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple components and configuration optimization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides thermal energy storage and release functions into separate hot and cold thermal storage vessels, with dedicated heat exchangers for each temperature regime. This segmentation allows independent optimization of high-temperature and low-temperature processes, improving overall roundtrip efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The working fluid circulation system serves multiple functions: it transfers thermal energy between the turbine and compressors, stores energy in thermal vessels, and enables both power generation and thermal storage modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a second compressor is added to compress and inject environmental air into the low pressure leg, then power generation control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second compressor is configured to operate selectively based on power generation demands, allowing dynamic adjustment of air injection into the low pressure leg. This enables flexible power output control by modulating the amount of environmental air compressed and injected, providing adaptability without requiring permanent complex infrastructure for all operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes environmental air as a free resource for power generation control, compressing and injecting it into the cycle when additional power is needed. This self-service approach to power modulation avoids the need for complex external control mechanisms or additional fuel sources, achieving versatility with minimal added complexity
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 achieves high roundtrip efficiency and flexible power generation by optimizing thermodynamic cycles and heat exchanger configurations, enabling efficient storage and release of thermal energy while controlling power output.
Implementation Method 1
a working fluid circulated through a closed cycle fluid path including at least two heat exchangers
Implementation Method 2
a compressor... compressing environmental air
Implementation Method 3
a turbine... generating electricity from mechanical energy received from the turbine
Implementation Method 4
at least two temperature reservoirs may each hold a thermal storage medium which may be pumped through the heat exchangers, providing and/or extracting thermal energy from the working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods relating to use of external air for inventory control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system or energy storage system, such as a reversible Brayton cycle system, are disclosed. A method may involve, in a closed cycle system operating in a power generation mode, circulating a working fluid may through a closed cycle fluid path. The closed cycle fluid path may include a high pressure leg and a low pressure leg. The method may further involve in response to a demand for increased power generation, compressing and dehumidifying environmental air. And the method may involve injecting the compressed and dehumidified environmental air into the low pressure leg.