Fluid Displacement Energy Storage via Pressure Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage and desalination systems face inefficiencies in energy conversion and storage, particularly in utilizing hydraulic pressure and mechanical work, which limits their round trip energy efficiency and scalability for desalination processes.
Innovation Solution
A system involving a higher elevation reservoir and a lower elevation reservoir, where energy is stored by pumping a low-density fluid into the lower reservoir, displacing high-density fluid, and released by allowing high-density fluid to displace low-density fluid, with the option to power desalination through pressure exchange, utilizing a pressure exchanger to efficiently pressurize desalination feed water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional energy storage systems are used, then energy can be stored and released, but round trip energy efficiency is limited and energy consumption in desalination processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines energy storage and desalination functions into a single integrated system. The lower reservoir serves dual purposes: storing energy through fluid displacement and providing feed water for desalination. The pressure exchanger simultaneously pressurizes both the energy storage fluid and desalination feed water, eliminating separate pressurization systems and reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower reservoir is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores high-density fluid for energy storage, provides feed water for desalination, and serves as the pressure exchange chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and improves overall system efficiency by eliminating redundant energy conversions.
2Device complexity
If hydraulic pressure is not efficiently utilized, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy conversion efficiency and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure exchanger acts as an intermediary device that efficiently transfers hydraulic pressure from the energy storage fluid to the desalination feed water. This intermediary mechanism captures and utilizes the hydraulic pressure that would otherwise be lost, converting it into useful pressurization for desalination without requiring complex additional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles to store and release energy through fluid displacement between reservoirs at different elevations. The hydraulic pressure generated during charging is efficiently captured and reused during desalination through the pressure exchanger, maximizing energy utilization while maintaining system simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate pressurization systems are used for desalination, then system design is simplified, but energy consumption increases and scalability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure exchanger merges the pressurization function for both energy storage and desalination into a single device. During charging, hydraulic pressure pressurizes the low-density fluid; during discharging, the same hydraulic pressure pressurizes the desalination feed water. This eliminates the need for separate pressurization systems and reduces overall energy consumption.
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 enhances energy storage efficiency and desalination by achieving high round trip energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption in desalination, and allowing for simultaneous power generation and water production.
Implementation Method 1
Energy or power may be stored, or the energy storage system may be 'charged ', by pumping a low density fluid from a higher elevation reservoir into the lower elevation reservoir
Implementation Method 2
energy may be released or power may be generated, or the energy storage system may be 'discharged ', by allowing high density fluid to displace low density fluid in the lower elevation reservoir
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a pressure exchanger to efficiently pressurize desalination feed water
Data Source
AI summary
A system for storing and generating power is disclosed. The system comprises a first storage reservoir configured to store a first fluid, a second storage reservoir located at a lower elevation than the first storage reservoir and configured to store a second fluid wherein said second fluid has a higher density than the first fluid, and a pump. In some embodiments a generator may be employed. The pump and the first and the second reservoir are operatively connected such that power is stored by displacing the second fluid in the second storage reservoir by pumping the first fluid from the first storage reservoir to the second storage reservoir and such that power is generated by allowing the pumped first fluid in the second storage reservoir to exit the second reservoir. The first fluid is generally a liquid.