CO2 Energy Storage Pressure-Maintaining Loop for Stable Tank Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The carbon dioxide gas-liquid-phase-change energy storage system faces safety and stability issues due to pressure fluctuations during energy storage and release phases, caused by condensation and evaporation of carbon dioxide, affecting the compressor and turbine operations.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide gas-liquid-phase-change energy storage system with an energy storage pressure-maintaining flow path and condenser to stabilize pressure within a design range by condensing gas-state CO2 to liquid-state CO2 and maintaining a stable pressure in the energy storage container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carbon dioxide is compressed and condensed into liquid state for storage, then energy storage efficiency is improved, but pressure inside the storage tank continuously rises threatening system safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas-phase carbon dioxide from the liquid storage tank and separates it into a dedicated gas storage tank. This extraction prevents the pressure buildup that would occur if all CO2 were stored as liquid, while maintaining high energy storage efficiency by keeping the liquid CO2 in the energy storage tank. The separation resolves the contradiction between efficient energy storage and system safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flow path as an intermediary mechanism that enables controlled transfer of carbon dioxide between gas and liquid phases. This flow path acts as a mediator that regulates pressure by allowing excess gas to be transferred out, preventing dangerous pressure buildup while maintaining the liquid storage system's efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is stored in liquid state in the energy storage container, then energy density is improved, but pressure increases beyond design pressure when ambient temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into two separate tanks: an energy storage tank for liquid CO2 and a gas storage tank for gaseous CO2. This segmentation allows the liquid CO2 to maintain high energy density while the gas tank absorbs excess pressure when ambient temperature rises, preventing the energy storage tank from exceeding its design pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by providing a flow path that enables preemptive relief of pressure buildup. When ambient temperature rises and causes pressure increase in the liquid storage tank, the system can immediately transfer excess gas through the flow path to the gas storage tank, counteracting the harmful pressure increase before it becomes dangerous.
3Power
If carbon dioxide is released from liquid state during energy release, then energy output is improved, but pressure continuously decreases causing variable operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the flow path as an intermediary mechanism that enables bidirectional transfer of carbon dioxide between gas and liquid phases. During energy release, when liquid CO2 is converted to gas and pressure decreases, the flow path allows gas CO2 to be transferred back to the liquid storage tank, maintaining stable pressure and operating conditions while preserving high energy output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing carbon dioxide to transition between gas and liquid phases through the flow path. During energy release, the system can adjust the phase state and pressure parameters by transferring CO2 between tanks, maintaining stable operating conditions for the turbine while ensuring consistent energy output.
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 maintains stable pressure conditions, ensuring safe and efficient energy storage and release by controlling pressure fluctuations, enhancing system safety and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser, connected to the energy storage container and configured to condense the carbon dioxide in the gas state into the carbon dioxide in the liquid state
Implementation Method 2
the carbon dioxide in the gas state inside the energy storage container is capable of flowing through the energy storage pressure-maintaining flow path to the condenser where the carbon dioxide in the gas state is condensed into the carbon dioxide in the liquid state
Data Source
AI summary
A storage unit for an energy storage system is provided with an energy storage container for storing gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide, a condenser connected to the energy storage container and used for condensing gaseous carbon dioxide into liquid carbon dioxide and an energy-storage pressure-maintaining flow path forming a closed-loop connection with the energy storage container and the condenser; and in an energy storage stage of the energy storage system and in an interval time period of energy storage and energy release, gaseous carbon dioxide in the energy storage container can flow into the condenser via the energy-storage pressure-maintaining flow path, to be condensed into liquid carbon dioxide, and then flow back to the energy storage container, so as to stabilize, in the energy storage stage, the pressure of the energy storage container in a design pressure range.