Subsea Fluid Displacement Storage With Pressure-Equilibrized Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems face challenges in maintaining pressure equilibrium in subsea tanks due to differences in hydrostatic pressure and fluid densities, leading to inefficiencies and potential over/under-pressure events.
Innovation Solution
The system employs separate pumps and turbines connected to LDF and HDF fluids to manage volumetric flow rates, ensuring the subsea tank maintains pressure equilibrium with the surrounding seawater by adjusting flow rates and using pressure compensators to stabilize fluid volumes, thereby controlling pressure differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pumps and turbines are used to manage volumetric flow rates of LDF and HDF fluids, then pressure equilibrium in the subsea tank is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure compensator is introduced as an intermediary device between the LDF and HDF fluid systems. This pressure compensator automatically balances pressure differences between the two fluid streams, maintaining pressure equilibrium in the subsea tank without requiring complex control systems or multiple active pumps and turbines. The pressure compensator acts as a passive mediator that equalizes pressures based on the natural flow characteristics of the fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to maintain pressure equilibrium through self-regulating mechanisms where the LDF and HDF fluid flows automatically balance each other's pressure effects. The pressure compensator enables the system to self-correct pressure imbalances without external intervention, as the fluid dynamics and pressure compensator work together to naturally maintain equilibrium conditions in the subsea tank.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pressure compensators are used to stabilize fluid volumes, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure compensator is designed as a self-regulating device that automatically stabilizes fluid volumes and pressures without requiring external control systems. It uses the natural pressure differences between LDF and HDF streams to drive compensation, eliminating the need for active sensors, controllers, or power sources while maintaining stable pressure conditions in the subsea tank.
3Loss of energy
If volumetric flow rates are adjusted to maintain pressure equilibrium, then energy efficiency is improved, but control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts volumetric flow rates of LDF and HDF fluids through self-regulating pressure-balanced flow control. The pressure compensator and fluid dynamics work together to naturally equalize pressures, eliminating the need for active control systems, sensors, or external power sources while maintaining optimal energy efficiency by preventing pressure imbalances that would cause energy losses.
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 maintains stable pressure in the subsea tank, ensuring efficient energy storage and retrieval by minimizing fluid volume changes and preventing over/under-pressure events, enhancing energy efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
differences in hydrostatic pressure and fluid densities
Data Source
AI summary
The present application pertains to processes and systems for storing or generating power. A representative method stores energy by pumping a first fluid having a first density from a first reservoir at a first elevation to a second reservoir at a second elevation using a first fluid pump and pumping a second fluid having a second density from the second reservoir to the first reservoir using a second fluid pump. Power is generated by allowing the second fluid to transfer from the first reservoir to the second reservoir using a second fluid turbine and allowing the first fluid to transfer from the second reservoir to the first reservoir using a first fluid turbine. Generally, the first elevation is above the second elevation; the first fluid density is less than the second fluid density; the first fluid displaces the second fluid in the second reservoir during the storing of energy; and the second fluid displaces the first fluid in the second reservoir during the generating of power.