Closed-Loop Liquid Energy Storage With Constant-Pressure Turbine Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage and recovery systems face issues such as contamination, high maintenance costs due to open water reservoirs, the need for high-pressure pumps, limited energy supply cycles, dynamic stress on components, and complex grid integration due to fluctuating pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system using fluid containers at the same level, where fluid movement is driven by constant working gas pressure, eliminating the need for high-pressure liquid pumps and allowing quasi-continuous energy supply cycles with constant frequency generation, enabling efficient energy storage and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an open water reservoir is used for energy storage, then the system structure is simple, but water contamination and sedimentation occur leading to turbine damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a closed-loop liquid circuit as an intermediary system between the energy storage function and the turbine drive function. The liquid circulates through a closed circuit including pump, heat exchanger, turbine, and reservoir, preventing direct contact between reservoir water and turbine components, thus eliminating contamination and sedimentation issues while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the water from the open reservoir and transfers it to a closed-loop circulation system. By separating the storage function (reservoir) from the drive function (turbine) through the closed loop, the harmful effects of open water exposure are eliminated while preserving the energy storage capability
2Use of energy by moving object
If a high-pressure water pump is used to refill the pressure tank, then energy can be stored, but additional expensive and wear-prone components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure from compressed air stored in the pressure tank to directly drive liquid circulation through the turbine, eliminating the need for high-pressure water pumps. The compressed air acts as an intermediary energy carrier that can be stored and released without mechanical pumping components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure pump system with a pneumatic system using compressed air. The air pressure directly drives the liquid through the turbine via pressure differential, substituting complex mechanical pumping with simpler pneumatic pressure application
3Productivity
If the water tank is refilled before each energy supply cycle, then continuous operation can be maintained, but the refilling process is energy- and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous liquid circulation through the closed-loop system, eliminating the need for periodic refilling operations. The liquid continuously circulates through the pump, heat exchanger, turbine, and reservoir, maintaining constant readiness for energy generation without interruption or time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-pressurizes the liquid in the reservoir using compressed air before energy supply cycles begin. This preliminary pressurization ensures immediate availability of pressurized liquid for turbine drive, eliminating the need for time-consuming refilling and pressurization operations during operation
4Use of energy by moving object
If constant pressure differences are maintained across tanks and pipes, then energy can be stored and released, but extreme dynamic stress occurs on components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decoupling mechanism where the compressed air in the pressure tank acts as an intermediary buffer between energy storage and energy release. The air pressure can be maintained constant during storage while allowing controlled pressure differential development during energy release, protecting components from extreme dynamic stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pressure management function into two independent components: the pressure tank for maintaining stored pressure and the liquid circuit for managing operational pressure differentials. This segmentation allows each component to operate within optimal pressure ranges, reducing dynamic stress on connecting components
5Power
If the pressure drop is continuous during energy supply, then energy can be generated, but complex voltage and frequency controls are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic control of the turbine inlet valve to regulate liquid flow rate and maintain constant pressure differential across the turbine during energy generation. This dynamic valve adjustment compensates for pressure changes, enabling stable power output with simplified voltage and frequency control
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 reduces component maintenance and costs, ensures continuous energy supply, and facilitates easy integration into power grids with constant frequency electricity generation, while allowing flexibility in fluid choice and system design.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid movement through the turbine unit is accomplished exclusively by the working gas pressure, which is essentially constant during an energy supply cycle, acting from above on the fluid surface and transporting the fluid from one fluid container through the turbine unit to the other fluid container
Implementation Method 2
a turbine unit (6-8) which connects the fluid containers (2-4) in such a way that the fluid can flow from one fluid container (2-4) through the turbine unit (6-8) into the other fluid container (2-4)
Implementation Method 3
A generator connected to the turbine, which is driven by the turbine, feeds the generated electricity into a power grid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for storing and recovering energy, comprising at least two liquid containers for storing a liquid, the two liquid containers being preferably located at substantially the same level and/or preferably having a substantially identical volume, and a turbine unit for power generation, which connects the two liquid containers to one another and is designed in such a way that the liquid can flow from the one liquid container through the turbine and into the other liquid container and thereby drives the turbine, and a working gas provision unit for providing a working gas, in particular air, having a substantially constant working gas pressure, the working gas provision unit being connected to the two liquid containers and designed in such a way that the working gas having said constant working pressure conveys the liquid from the one liquid container, via the turbine unit and into the other liquid container.