Gas storage apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) systems are costly and inefficient due to high energy losses associated with conversion steps and coolth recycle systems, making them unsuitable for small-scale, industrial energy storage applications, particularly for compressed air systems where direct conversion of liquid air to compressed air can reduce costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A gas storage apparatus and method that stores compressed air as pressurized liquid air, eliminating the need for conversion to electricity and back to compressed air, using a system with two coolth stores and a storage chamber, optimized for sensible and latent heat storage, and utilizing pressure differences to minimize exergy losses, allowing for efficient direct conversion of liquid air to compressed air with reduced round-trip efficiency losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional LAES systems convert liquid air to electricity and back to compressed air, then energy can be stored and recovered, but energy losses increase and system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the electricity conversion components (generators and motors) from the conventional LAES system. By taking out these conversion steps, the system directly stores compressed air as liquid air and retrieves it as compressed air, eliminating the energy losses and complexity associated with electro-mechanical conversion while maintaining the core energy storage function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of following the conventional path of compressed air to electricity to compressed air, the patent inverts the approach by directly converting compressed air to liquid air for storage and then directly back to compressed air for use. This inversion eliminates the intermediate electricity conversion step, reducing both energy losses and system complexity.
2Loss of energy
If conventional LAES systems use single coolth store design, then system simplicity is maintained, but coolth recycle efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coolth storage function into two distinct coolth stores: a first coolth store for initial cooling and a second coolth store for final cooling and coolth recycling. This segmentation allows each store to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall coolth recycle efficiency while managing the complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing each coolth store with specific characteristics suited to its function. The first coolth store handles the bulk of the cooling requirement, while the second coolth store is optimized for coolth recycling and temperature refinement, allowing each component to operate at optimal efficiency for its local function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If LAES systems are scaled down for industrial applications, then behind-the-meter energy storage is enabled, but cost per kW increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the LAES system by eliminating the electricity conversion step and implementing direct compressed air to liquid air conversion. This parameter change fundamentally alters the system's cost structure and efficiency characteristics, making it economically viable at smaller industrial scales without requiring the economies of scale that conventional systems need.
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 significantly reduces energy storage system costs and increases efficiency by minimizing conversion steps, enabling cost-effective and efficient energy storage and demand response for industrial compressed-air users, while maintaining a high round-trip efficiency and allowing for the utilization of waste heat.
Implementation Method 1
a first coolth store, a second coolth store, and at least one storage chamber, wherein the fluid inlet is connected to the first coolth store, and fluid conduits connect the first coolth store to the second coolth store
Implementation Method 2
optimized for sensible and latent heat storage
Implementation Method 3
utilizing pressure differences to minimize exergy losses
Implementation Method 4
utilizing pressure differences to minimize exergy losses during the charging and discharging processes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gas storage apparatus and method, and more specifically to liquid air energy storage and its use to facilitate both Demand Side Reduction (DSR) and the use of reduced-cost electricity by industrial compressed-air users. A related electricity generating apparatus and method is also disclosed. The apparatus and method use a first sensible heat coolth store and second latent heat coolth store to first reduce the gas in temperature and then to change it into a liquid phase. Coolth top up devices are also disclosed.