Embedded Superconducting Cooling in Cryogenic Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic Energy Storage Systems (CESS) face inefficiencies due to the need for dedicated cooling systems for superconducting devices, which increase costs and complexity, and there is a lack of integration with other technologies that require low temperatures for optimal operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a superconducting device within the cryogen storage facility, where it is cooled by the stored cryogen, eliminating the need for a dedicated cooling system and allowing for synergistic operation with other low-temperature technologies, such as SMES, ST, and SFCL, and utilizing sensors and valves to maintain optimal cryogen levels and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a dedicated cooling system is provided for superconducting devices, then the superconducting device can operate at required temperatures, but capital and operational costs increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function for the superconducting device with the existing cryogen storage facility. The superconducting device is positioned within the cryogen storage tank, allowing it to utilize the cold environment provided by the stored cryogen (liquid air or nitrogen) without requiring a separate dedicated cooling system. This merging of functions eliminates the need for additional cooling equipment while maintaining the required operating temperature for superconductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogen storage facility serves dual purposes: storing cryogen for energy storage operations and simultaneously providing cooling for the superconducting device. The system uses its own stored resource (cryogen) to cool the superconducting device, eliminating the need for external cooling infrastructure and reducing both capital expenditure and operational complexity.
2Temperature
If a dedicated cooling system is provided for superconducting devices, then the superconducting device can operate at required temperatures, but capital and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling requirement of the superconducting device is merged with the cryogen storage function. By positioning the superconducting device within the cryogen storage facility, the system eliminates the need for separate cooling infrastructure that would generate additional heat and require more cryogen for cooling purposes. The superconducting device operates passively using the ambient cold environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of cryogen boil-off into a beneficial cooling source. The natural evaporation and phase change of cryogen, which would normally represent energy loss, is utilized to maintain the low temperature environment required for superconducting operation, thereby converting a loss mechanism into a useful cooling resource.
3Productivity
If superconducting devices are integrated with cryogen storage facility, then cooling costs are reduced and system efficiency is improved, but device integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The superconducting device is nested within the cryogen storage facility structure. This nesting arrangement allows the superconducting device to be positioned inside or adjacent to the cryogen storage tank, utilizing the existing thermal environment. The integration leverages the spatial and thermal relationship between the two components, reducing the need for additional integration infrastructure while maintaining system efficiency.
4Device complexity
If cryogen storage facility is used to cool superconducting device, then dedicated cooling infrastructure is eliminated, but cryogen consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogen storage facility is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: storing cryogen for energy storage operations, providing cooling for the superconducting device, and maintaining the thermal environment required for superconductivity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling infrastructure while optimizing cryogen utilization across both functions.
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 approach reduces capital and operational costs by minimizing cryogen boil-off and heat generation, while enabling efficient energy storage and generation, and provides a scalable, environmentally friendly solution for electrical energy storage and load management.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting device, located in the cryogen storage facility such that the superconducting device is cooled by the cryogen stored in the cryogen storage facility
Implementation Method 2
The cryogen stored in the cryogen storage facility may be liquid air or nitrogen... the cryogen storage facility may maintain the cryogen therein at a temperature of approximately 78.8 K
Implementation Method 3
The liquid cryogen turns into a kinetic gaseous state when exposed to ambient air or with waste heat, the energised gas turns a turbine and generates electricity
Implementation Method 4
The liquid cryogen turns into a kinetic gaseous state when exposed to ambient air or with waste heat
Implementation Method 5
The liquid cryogen turns into a kinetic gaseous state when exposed to ambient air or with waste heat, the energised gas turns a turbine and generates electricity
Implementation Method 6
the energised gas turns a turbine and generates electricity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cryogenic energy storage system (CESS), particularly to a hybrid CESS which includes superconducting electrical based components, devices and systems therein requiring access to cryogenic temperatures to function. The CESS includes a cryogen storage facility such as a tank or cylinder filled with a cryogen, such as liquid air. A cryogen expansion arrangement is provided to the CESS to expand stored cryogen from the cryogen storage facility, in use; and an energy generating arrangement is provided to use expanding cryogen from the cryogen expansion arrangement to generate electrical energy, in use. A superconducting system, comprising a superconducting device, is embedded in the cryogen storage facility in order to function at a desired operating temperature having no or little influence on the cryogenic energy storage system (CESS).