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Pumped thermal storage cycles with recuperation

  • US 10,458,721 B2
  • Filed: 02/23/2017
  • Issued: 10/29/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system configured to operate in at least a heat pump mode and a heat engine mode, the system comprising:

  • a compressor;

    a hot side heat exchanger;

    a turbine;

    a cold side heat exchanger;

    a recuperative heat exchanger;

    a working fluid;

    a first closed cycle fluid path for operation of the system in the heat pump mode and configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, the compressor, the hot side heat exchanger, the recuperative heat exchanger via a high pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger, the turbine, the cold side heat exchanger, the recuperative heat exchanger via a low pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger, and back to the compressor, wherein the working fluid in the high pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger exchanges heat with the working fluid in the low pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger;

    a second closed cycle fluid path for operation of the system in the heat engine mode and configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, the compressor, the recuperative heat exchanger via a high pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger, the hot side heat exchanger, the turbine, the recuperative heat exchanger via a low pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger, the cold side heat exchanger, and back to the compressor, wherein the working fluid in the high pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger exchanges heat with the working fluid in the low pressure side of the recuperative heat exchanger; and

    a plurality of valves configured to switch circulation of the working fluid between the first closed cycle fluid path for operation of the system in the heat pump mode and the second closed cycle fluid path for operation of the system in the heat engine mode.

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