Hydroelectric Storage Using Compressed Air and CCR Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumped-storage hydroelectricity systems are inefficient due to the need to pump water up an incline for storage, and they require significant energy for water circulation, which limits their overall energy efficiency and operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The system uses compressed air as a supplemental energy source, storing latent energy in liquefied gas, which is then expanded to generate electricity without the need for a physical drop, utilizing a turbomachinery process and coal combustion residue for insulation to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is pumped up an incline for storage, then energy can be stored for later generation, but the system becomes a net consumer of energy due to inherent pumping losses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water lifting function from the energy storage system by using a recirculating water loop where water is not pumped uphill but circulated through a closed system. The potential energy is generated by the vertical drop of water through the turbine, while the recirculation pump operates at a much lower elevation difference, significantly reducing pumping losses and improving overall system efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If compressed air is used as supplemental energy source, then energy storage density increases, but system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the compressed air energy storage system with the hydroelectric generation system by integrating the air compressor motor with the hydro turbine generator. The same mechanical components serve dual purposes: the turbine generates electricity from water, and the coupled compressor stores energy by compressing air during off-peak periods. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high energy storage density.
3Loss of energy
If CCR is used for insulation, then insulation effectiveness is enhanced, but environmental concerns arise from using waste material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful waste material CCR (coal combustion residue) into a beneficial insulation material for the water storage tanks and piping. By encapsulating CCR in impermeable membranes and using it as thermal insulation, the system transforms an environmental pollutant into a functional component that reduces heat loss, improves energy efficiency, and provides a cost-effective solution to CCR disposal while enhancing system performance.
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 allows for more uniform and efficient electricity generation, reducing energy losses and enabling the storage of a large quantity of energy in a compact area, while also utilizing waste materials for insulation and energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
The air may be compressed to the point where it liquefies, providing a vastly greater amount of latent energy stored in a relatively small area. The Turbomachinery process for liquefying air uses a heat source, a cooling medium (air, water or other), a circulating working fluid and a turboexpander.
Implementation Method 2
One feature of the invention is the use of residue from the generation of electricity by coal, such as CCR ('coal combustion residue') to serve the beneficial purpose of providing an insulating encasement of the operating components of the system with enhanced efficiency.
Implementation Method 3
Pump storage generation of electricity is well-known and is a type of hydroelectric energy storage used by electric power systems for load balancing. The method stores energy in the form of gravitational potential energy of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation reservoir.
Data Source
AI summary
A facility for generating electricity that includes a hydroelectric generating apparatus including an elongate penstock in flow communication with a source of water and a hydro-turbine and piping for supplying refill water to a plurality of horizontal pistons on a synchronized and coordinated basis to supply pressurized water to the penstock. A cryogenic facility is provided and includes at least one cryogenically insulated storage tank for cryogenically producing and storing liquid air and a temperature regulator for allowing controlled transition from the liquid air state to a pressurized gaseous state for supplying pressurized air to a storage container for supplying air to the pistons. A containment facility is provided within which the cryogenic facility is encapsulated, and includes a mass of CCR having sufficient insulating capacity to maintain the liquid air in a liquid state in combination with the cryogenic facility.