Compressor Casing Cooling Water Flow Path for CAES Heat Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems inefficiently utilize heat recovery, leading to increased power consumption and energy loss, as they only recover heat from compressed gas without considering external heat sources.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates multiple heat exchangers to recover and utilize heat from compressed air, cooling water, and frictional heat generated in motors and generators, reducing power consumption by sequencing heat exchange to efficiently heat water and air, and includes a heat storage tank to preheat compressed air before expansion, minimizing energy loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If heat recovery is performed only from compressed gas using high-temperature and low-temperature heat exchangers, then heat recovery is implemented, but the heat recovery efficiency is insufficient and power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat recovery efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling water flow passage is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the compressed air in the compressor, recovers heat to preheat combustion air, and provides hot water to external users. This multi-functional approach maximizes heat recovery efficiency while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the waste heat from compressed air and cooling water into useful thermal energy by directing it to preheat combustion air and provide hot water. This transforms energy that would otherwise be lost into a beneficial resource, reducing the power needed for heating and improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Power

If compression is performed without cooling, then compression work is reduced, but the temperature of compressed air increases excessively causing energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression workVSAvoidthermal energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling water flow passage continuously removes heat from the compressed air during the compression process, maintaining optimal compression conditions. This continuous cooling action prevents excessive temperature rise while sustaining efficient compression work throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling water acts as an intermediary medium that transfers heat from the compressed air to the preheat exchanger and ultimately to the combustion air. This intermediary approach allows heat removal during compression while converting the thermal energy into a useful form for the power generation cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If multiple heat exchangers are added to recover heat from multiple sources, then heat recovery efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat recovery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cooling function and heat recovery function into a single integrated cooling water flow passage system. By combining these functions, the system achieves efficient heat recovery from multiple sources without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling water flow passage is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously cools compressed air, recovers heat for preheating combustion air, and provides hot water to external users. This universal approach consolidates multiple heat recovery functions into one system, improving efficiency while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration reduces power consumption for compressor shaft rotation, effectively utilizes heat within the system, and prevents energy loss by preheating compressed air, thereby enhancing charge and discharge efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling water is allowed to flow through the casing to remove heat of the compressed air in the first heat exchanger

Methodology Applied