Systems and methods for controlling temperature and pressure of fluids

• US 20060076426A1
• Filed: 09/17/2004
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P10 Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Active Power Incorporated
• Inventors: Hudson, Robert S., Schuetze, Karl T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,333,330 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 237/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/16 for storing compressed air
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/06 Arrangements of bearings bearings F16C; Lubricating of turbo machines F01D25/18; of machines or engines in general F01M
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/2013 using throttling means as controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2544 Supply and exhaust type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

Systems and methods for using a dual-path fluid routing system that uses a flow restriction device to enhance temperature and pressure control of fluid are provided. Systems and methods for using a setpoint pressure control system to accurately control the setpoint pressure of a regulator are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for controlling pressure and temperature of a fluid in a dual-path fluid routing system comprising first and second paths each connected to an outlet node, said method comprising:

providing a source fluid to said first and second paths;

regulating said source fluid to a first path pressure;

regulating said source fluid to a second path pressure;

restricting mass flow of said source fluid through said second path with a flow restriction device;

changing the temperature of the first path fluid; and

mixing said first and second path fluids to provide a mixed fluid having a predetermined pressure and temperature to said outlet node.

2. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

controlling mass flow of said source fluid though said first and second paths.

3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said first path pressure is regulated independent of said second path pressure.

4. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said first path pressure sets a first path mass flow rate of fluid flowing through said first path, and wherein said second path pressure sets a second path mass flow rate of fluid flowing through said second path.

5. The method defined in claim 4, further comprising:

increasing said second path mass flow rate relative to said first path mass flow rate to lower the temperature of said mixed fluid.

6. The method defined in claim 4, further comprising:

decreasing said second path mass flow rate relative to said first path mass flow rate to raise the temperature of said mixed fluid.

7. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting said first and second path pressures to maintain said predetermined temperature and pressure.

8. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining said first path pressure at a substantially constant pressure; and

adjusting said second path pressure to change the temperature of said mixed fluid.

9. The method defined in claim 8, wherein said maintaining comprises adjusting mass flow of said source fluid through said first path to compensate for changes in said second path pressure and to maintain said substantially constant pressure.

10. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

increasing said second path pressure to increase mass flow through said second path.

11. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

decreasing said second path pressure to decrease mass flow through said second path.

12. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said first path fluid is heated fluid and said second path fluid is cooled fluid.

13. The method defined in claim 12, further comprising:

decreasing said second path pressure to raise the temperature of said mixed fluid; and

increasing mass flow of said first path fluid to an extent necessary to maintain said predetermined pressure.

14. The method defined in claim 12, further comprising:

increasing said second path pressure to lower the temperature of said mixed fluid; and

decreasing mass flow of said first path fluid to an extent necessary to maintain said predetermined pressure.

15. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

providing said mixed fluid to a fluid utilization system.

16. The method defined in claim 15 monitoring the temperature and pressure of said mixed fluid provided to said fluid utilization system.

17. The method defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid utilization system comprises a turbine.

18. The method defined in claim 15, wherein said fluid utilization system comprises a turbine-generator.

19. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said changing comprises heating the temperature of said fluid.

20. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said changing comprises cooling the temperature of said fluid.

21. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said source fluid is a gas.

22. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said source fluid is a liquid.

23. A method for controlling pressure and temperature of a fluid in a dual-path fluid routing system comprising first and second paths each connected to an outlet node, said method comprising:

providing a source fluid;

regulating the pressure of said source fluid to provide a regulated fluid;

providing said regulated fluid to said first and second paths;

controlling mass flow rates of said regulated fluid flowing through said first and second paths, said first path mass flow rate is inversely proportional to said second path mass flow rate;

changing the temperature of said fluid flowing through said first path; and

mixing said first path fluid and said second path fluid to provide a mixed fluid having a predetermined pressure and temperature to said output node.

24. The method defined in claim 23, further comprising:

restricting the mass flow of said fluid through said first path with a flow restriction device.

25. The method defined in claim 23, further comprising:

increasing said second path mass flow rate to lower the temperature of said mixed fluid.

26. The method defined in claim 23, further comprising:

decreasing said second path mass flow rate to raise the temperature of said mixed fluid.

27. The method defined in claim 23, further comprising:

monitoring the temperature and pressure of said mixed fluid.

28. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said regulating comprises adjusting a pressure setpoint of a regulator to maintain said predetermined pressure.

29. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said regulating comprising adjusting the mass flow through a regulator to maintain said predetermined pressure.

30. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said controlling comprises adjusting said first and said path mass flow rates to maintain said predetermined temperature.

31. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said controlling comprises adjusting a flow control valve in said second path.

32. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said changing comprises heating the temperature of said regulated fluid.

33. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said changing comprises cooling the temperature of said fluid.

34. The method defined in claim 23, wherein said fluid source is a compressed gas.

35. A dual-path fluid routing system, comprising:

a first path in fluid communication with a fluid source and an output node, said first path comprising;

a first regulator connected to said fluid source; and

a heat exchanger connected to said first regulator and said output node, said heat exchanger operative to change the temperature of fluid flowing through said first path;

a second path in fluid communication with said fluid source and said output node, said second path comprising;

a second regulator connected to said fluid source; and

a flow restriction device connected to said second regulator and said output node and operative to restrict mass flow through said second path; and

control circuitry operative to control said first and second regulators to provide a fluid of a predetermined pressure and temperature to said output node.

36. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said flow restriction device is an orifice.

37. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said flow restriction device is a screen or a valve.

38. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said heat exchanger is an exhaustless heater.

39. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said heat exchanger is a thermal storage unit.

40. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said first regulator is operative to control mass flow of fluid through said first path.

41. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said second regulator is operative to control mass flow of fluid through said second path.

42. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said first and second regulators are operative to control mass flow of said fluid through said first and second paths.

43. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said first regulator controls the pressure of said fluid in said first path independent of said second regulator.

44. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said second regulator controls the pressure of said fluid in said second path independent of said first regulator.

45. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said second regulator increases its pressure output relative to the pressure output of said first regulator to lower the temperature of said outlet fluid.

46. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said first regulator increases its pressure output relative to the pressure output of said second regulator to lower the temperature of said outlet fluid.

47. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said first regulator maintains a first path pressure, and

wherein said second regulator adjusts a second path pressure to change the temperature of said fluid provided to said outlet node.

48. The system defined in claim 47, wherein said first regulator automatically adjusts the mass flow of fluid flowing through said first path to maintain said first path pressure, while compensating for changes in said second path pressure.

49. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said heat exchanger heats fluid flowing through said first path.

50. The system defined in claim 49, wherein said control circuitry is operative to:

increase a setpoint pressure of said second regulator to lower the temperature of said fluid provided to said outlet node.

51. The system defined in claim 49, wherein said control circuitry is operative to:

decrease a setpoint pressure of said second regulator to increase the temperature of said fluid provided to said outlet node.

52. The system defined in claim 35, further comprising monitoring circuitry that provides temperature and pressure data to said control circuitry.

53. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said control circuitry is operative to control pressure setpoints of said first and second regulators.

54. An electrical generation system, comprising:

a dual-path fluid routing system as defined in claim 35;

and

a fluid utilization system connected to receive fluid of a predetermined pressure and temperature from said dual-path fluid routing system.

55. The backup system defined in claim 54, wherein said fluid utilization system is a turbine.

56. The backup system defined in claim 54, wherein said fluid utilization system is a turbine-generator.

57. A dual-path fluid routing system for controlling temperature and pressure of a fluid, said system comprising:

an inlet port;

an outlet port;

a main path that provides a main path fluid having a first predetermined temperature and pressure to said outlet port, said main path connected to receive fluid at said inlet port; and

a bypass path that provides a bypass path fluid having a second predetermined temperature and pressure to said outlet port, said bypass path connected to receive fluid at said inlet port,

said outlet port mixes said main path and bypass path fluids to provide a mixed fluid having a third predetermined temperature and pressure, and wherein at least one of said main and bypass paths includes a flow restriction device that enhances temperature control said mixed fluid.

58. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said main path controls said main path fluid independent of said bypass path.

59. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said bypass path controls said bypass path fluid independent of said main path.

60. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said main path comprises:

a first regulator connected to said inlet port; and

a heat exchanger connected to said first regulator and to said outlet port, said heat exchanger operative to change the temperature of said main path fluid; and

wherein said bypass path comprises;

a second regulator connected to said inlet port; and

said flow restriction device connected to said second regulator and said outlet port.

61. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said main path comprises:

a first regulator connected to said inlet port;

a heat exchanger connected to said first regulator, said heat exchanger operative to change the temperature of said main path fluid; and

said flow restriction device connected to said heat exchanger and said outlet port; and

wherein said bypass path comprises;

a second regulator connected to said inlet port and said outlet port.

62. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said main path comprises:

a first regulator connected to said inlet port;

said flow restriction device connected to said first regulator and said heat exchanger; and

a heat exchanger connected to said flow restriction device and to said outlet port, said heat exchanger operative to change the temperature of said main path fluid; and

wherein said bypass path comprises;

a second regulator connected to said inlet port and said outlet port.

63. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said main path comprises:

a first regulator connected to said inlet port;

wherein said flow restriction device is a first flow restriction device that is connected to said first regulator and said heat exchanger; and

a heat exchanger connected to said flow restriction device and to said outlet port, said heat exchanger operative to change the temperature of said main path fluid; and

wherein said bypass path comprises;

a second regulator connected to said inlet port; and

a second flow restriction device connected to said second regulator and said outlet node.

64. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said main path comprises:

a regulator connected to said inlet port;

said flow restriction device connected to said regulator; and

a heat exchanger connected to said flow restriction device and said outlet port; and

wherein said bypass path comprises;

a flow control valve connected to said outlet port and to a node between said regulator and said flow restriction device, said flow control valve operative to provide said mixed fluid.

65. The system defined in claim 57, further comprising:

control circuitry operative to control the pressure and mass flow of said main path fluid and said bypass fluid.

66. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said bypass path controls mass flow of said main path fluid and said bypass fluid.

67. The system defined in claim 57, wherein said flow restriction device is an orifice, a valve, a screen, or any combination thereof.

68. A thermal and compressed air storage system, comprising:

a fluid source;

a dual-path fluid routing system as defined in claim 58 connected to said fluid source; and

a turbine-generator connected to said fluid routing system, said turbine-generator operative to generate power when the turbine portion of said turbine-generator is driven by said mixed fluid.

69. The system defined in claim 68, wherein said fluid source is selected from the group consisting of a pressurized vessel, a cavern, a salt dome, and a gas bottle.

70. A dual-path fluid routing system for controlling temperature and pressure of a fluid, said system comprising:

a first fluid source;

a second fluid source;

an outlet port;

a first regulator connected to said first fluid source and said outlet port; and

a second regulator connected to said second fluid source and to a flow restriction device, said flow restriction device connected to said outlet port,

wherein said first and second regulators regulate mass flow and pressure of fluid received from said first and second fluid sources, respectively, to provide a mixed fluid having a predetermined temperature and pressure to said outlet port.

71. The system defined in claim 70, wherein said first fluid source provides a fluid having a first predetermined temperature.

72. The system defined in claim 70, wherein said second regulator provides a fluid having a second predetermined temperature.

73. An electrical generation system that uses stored compressed fluid to generate power, said system comprising:

a source of compressed fluid;

a dual-path fluid routing system connected to said source and operative to control the temperature and pressure of a turbine inlet fluid, said routing system comprising a flow restriction device to enhance pressure and temperature control of said turbine inlet fluid; and

a turbine-generator connected to receive said turbine inlet fluid and operative to generate power when the turbine portion of said turbine-generator is driven by said turbine inlet fluid.

74. A dual-path fluid routing system for controlling temperature and pressure of a fluid, said system comprising:

at least one source of fluid;

main path mass flow control means connected to receive fluid from said at least one source of fluid and operative to provide a main path fluid to an outlet node;

bypass path mass flow control means connected to receive fluid from said at least one source of fluid and operative to provide a bypass path fluid to said outlet node;

control means for controlling said mass flow and bypass path mass flow control means to provide a mixed fluid having a predetermined temperature and pressure at said outlet node; and

restriction means for enhancing temperature and pressure control of said mixed fluid.

75. The system defined in claim 74, further comprising said heat exchanging means for altering the temperature of fluid received from said at least one source of fluid.

76. The system defined in claim 74, wherein said mixed fluid is a mixture of main path fluid and said bypass path fluid.

77. The system defined in claim 74, wherein said main path mass flow control means comprises a pressure regulator, and wherein said bypass path mass flow control means comprises a pressure regulator.

78. The system defined in claim 74, wherein said main path mass flow control means comprises a pressure regulator, and wherein said bypass path mass flow control means comprises a flow control valve.

79. The system defined in claim 74, wherein said restriction means is connected downstream of said main path mass flow control means.

80. The system defined in claim 74, wherein said restriction means is connected downstream of said bypass mass flow control means.

81. The system defined in claim 74, wherein said restriction means is selected from the group consisting of an orifice, a screen, and a valve.