High-Temperature Thermal Storage for Gas Turbine Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gas turbine power plants face limitations in flexibility and efficiency due to costly and complex process management, and the need for rapid output changes, especially with the integration of regenerative energy sources like wind and photovoltaics, which require high-temperature storage solutions that existing high-pressure accumulators cannot effectively provide.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a high-temperature storage device that can store hot water or steam at extremely high temperatures (up to 650°C) and pressures (up to 100 bar) using an external or internal energy source, with a heat exchanger for indirect charging and direct/indirect connections for thermal energy, allowing for efficient energy storage and quick release during peak load times, enhancing gas turbine power plant efficiency and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high-pressure accumulators are used for energy storage, then energy storage capacity is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using extremely high temperatures (up to 650°C) and high pressures (up to 100 bar) in the storage device, allowing for significantly higher energy density and storage capacity compared to conventional accumulators, while the system integrates with the gas turbine power plant to manage complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The high-temperature storage device serves multiple functions: it stores thermal energy, provides process heat, generates steam for the turbine, and can operate with different fuel types, thereby reducing the need for separate systems and lowering overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional storage systems are used, then implementation is simpler, but thermal losses continue to be recorded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidthermal losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid-vapor-steam) at extremely high temperatures to store and transfer thermal energy. The phase change from liquid water to steam in the storage device enables efficient energy storage with minimal thermal losses, as the high-temperature steam can be directly used in the turbine without significant heat loss to the environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The high-temperature storage device maintains continuous thermal energy storage at temperatures above 600°C, ensuring that energy is available continuously for power generation without interruption or significant thermal losses, thereby eliminating the trade-off between implementation simplicity and energy loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If gas turbine power plants operate with fixed output, then operation is simpler, but adaptability to regenerative energy sources is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to regenerative energy sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic operation capabilities by using the high-temperature storage device to rapidly adjust power output in response to varying renewable energy inputs. The storage device can quickly release or store thermal energy, enabling the gas turbine to dynamically adapt its output to match wind and photovoltaic generation patterns, thereby achieving both operational simplicity and high adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system significantly increases the output and efficiency of gas turbine power plants by injecting high-temperature water or steam into the fluid flow, enabling rapid power adjustments and efficient energy utilization, while reducing turbine temperature and emission values.

Implementation Method 1

at least one channel leads through the high-temperature storage with the storage material located therein, to which water or hot water with an inlet temperature can be supplied, whereby a heat transfer from the storage medium to the water/hot water flowing through the channel and thereby an increase in pressure and/or temperature of the water/hot water can be realized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the high-temperature storage device having a storage material or made of one Storage material consists, which can be heated by the internal and/or external energy sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 3

direct storage at high storage temperatures using a temperature change and/or a phase change can be implemented

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

the steam thus generated is also used in a closed circuit to drive the steam turbine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion: Heat Engine

Implementation Method 5

in the steam turbine, in which the amount of steam fluid decreases as a result of the delivery of technical work

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine expansion: Turbine

Implementation Method 6

an intake manifold 1.1 for sucking in ambient air, which is fed to a compressor 1.2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression heating: Compression

Implementation Method 7

to which liquid or gaseous fuel B (e.g. natural gas) or a fuel mixture is fed. Combustion in the combustion chamber gives the process a thermal output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2898191B1System for producing hot water and/or steam having a high-temperature reservoir for use in a gas turbine power station
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 TECHN UNIV CHEMNITZ
  • EP2898191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2898191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2898191B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for producing hot water and/or steam having a high-temperature reservoir for use in a gas turbine power station, wherein the energy for charging is provided from at least one external energy source and/or from an internal energy source of the gas turbine power station, and wherein the hot water and/or the steam (D) can be delivered in an open process for injection into a fluid stream between the compressor and the turbine and/or the turbine of the gas turbine power station, wherein at least one channel (4) leads through the high-temperature reservoir (2.2), and by heat transfer an increase in pressure and/or temperature of the water (W)/hot water (HW) can be achieved in such a way that hot water (W) and/or steam (D) comes out from the channel (4) at an outlet temperature (T2) > the inlet temperature (T1), wherein the high-temperature reservoir (2.2) has connections for direct and/or indirect charging which for direct charging are coupled to at least one external energy source and/or for indirect charging are coupled to an external energy source which supplies electrical energy.