Condensable Working Fluid Energy Storage System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressed air energy storage systems suffer from significant heat loss and reduced efficiency due to heat of compression, requiring expensive heat exchangers and equipment, which increases costs and reduces energy density and round trip efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase energy storage system using a condensable working fluid that condenses at ambient temperatures, combined with a direct contact fluid transfer module and unvaporizable liquid, allowing for isothermal compression and expansion, reducing heat loss and capital costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If compressed air is stored in large underground caverns or underwater elastic balloons, then large power rating and storage capacity are achieved, but heat loss of approximately 85% occurs during compression and costly infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition of a condensable working fluid (CWF) from gas to liquid state during compression. By compressing the CWF to its saturation pressure and condensing it to a liquid state, the system achieves high energy density storage without the 85% heat loss associated with traditional compressed air storage. The phase change allows efficient energy storage in a compact liquid reservoir.
2Loss of energy
If heat exchangers are employed to facilitate isothermal compression, then heat of compression is reduced, but costs to the storage facility are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an unvaporizable liquid as an intermediary substance that facilitates isothermal compression of the condensable working fluid through direct contact. This liquid intermediary absorbs the heat of compression directly, eliminating the need for expensive heat exchangers while achieving efficient heat transfer and maintaining isothermal conditions during compression.
3Temperature
If diabatic, adiabatic, or liquid air energy storage means are employed, then air temperature significantly deviates from ambient temperature, but expensive heat exchangers and rotating equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using an unvaporizable liquid to transfer energy during compression and expansion processes. The liquid medium enables efficient heat transfer and energy storage without requiring complex rotating equipment or expensive heat exchangers, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective temperature control through direct liquid-to-fluid contact.
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 increased energy density and round trip efficiency while reducing capital and operating costs by employing inexpensive hydraulic equipment and avoiding the need for heat exchangers, enhancing the storage and release of compressed gas energy.
Implementation Method 1
The CWF is substantially isothermally compressible and expandable during direct contact with the unvaporizable liquid within said one of said at least one pressure vessel
Implementation Method 2
the CWF is compressible within said one of said at least one pressure vessel upon direct contact with the unvaporizable liquid and is storable in a liquid state after being compressed to its saturation pressure and condensed
Implementation Method 3
at least a portion of the unvaporizable liquid located within said one of said at least one pressure vessel is propellable towards said at least one hydraulic turbine by the compressed CWF
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system has a pressure vessel that is exposed to ambient temperatures and that contains a working fluid which is condensable at ambient temperatures (CWF); a liquid reservoir in communication with one of the vessels and containing a liquid that is unvaporizable in the reservoir and in the vessel; and apparatus for delivering the liquid from the reservoir to the vessel. The CWF is compressible within the vessel upon direct contact with the liquid and is storable in a liquid state after being compressed to its saturation pressure. In a method, at least some of the liquid located in the vessel is propelled by the CWF towards a turbine to produce power. In one embodiment, a module has a first vessel having at least four ports, a second vessel at ambient temperatures, and a flow control component operatively connected to a corresponding conduit for selectively controlling fluid flow.