Systems and methods for combined thermal and compressed gas energy conversion systems
First Claim
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1. A combined thermal and compressed-gas energy conversion system (i) suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources and (ii) for use with a source of recovered thermal energy, the system comprising:
- an open-air compressed-gas energy conversion system configured for substantially isothermal storage and recovery of energy and comprising;
at least one cylinder assembly for the storage and recovery of energy via compression and expansion of gas therewithin,selectively fluidly connected to the at least one cylinder assembly, means for storage of compressed gas after compression and supply of compressed gas for expansion thereof, andselectively fluidly connected to the at least one cylinder assembly, a vent for exhausting expanded gas to atmosphere after expansion and supply of gas for compression thereof; and
a heat-exchange subsystem (i) configured for fluid communication with the compressed-gas energy conversion system and the source of recovered thermal energy, and (ii) comprising, disposed in at least one said cylinder assembly, a spray mechanism for introducing a heat-exchange fluid therein.
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Abstract
The invention relates to systems and methods including an energy conversion system for storage and recovery of energy using compressed gas, a source of recovered thermal energy, and a heat-exchange subsystem in fluid communication with the energy conversion system and the source of recovered thermal energy.
649 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A combined thermal and compressed-gas energy conversion system (i) suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources and (ii) for use with a source of recovered thermal energy, the system comprising:
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an open-air compressed-gas energy conversion system configured for substantially isothermal storage and recovery of energy and comprising; at least one cylinder assembly for the storage and recovery of energy via compression and expansion of gas therewithin, selectively fluidly connected to the at least one cylinder assembly, means for storage of compressed gas after compression and supply of compressed gas for expansion thereof, and selectively fluidly connected to the at least one cylinder assembly, a vent for exhausting expanded gas to atmosphere after expansion and supply of gas for compression thereof; and a heat-exchange subsystem (i) configured for fluid communication with the compressed-gas energy conversion system and the source of recovered thermal energy, and (ii) comprising, disposed in at least one said cylinder assembly, a spray mechanism for introducing a heat-exchange fluid therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A combined thermal and compressed-gas energy conversion system (i) suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources and (ii) for use with a source of recovered thermal energy, the system comprising:
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a compressed-gas energy conversion system (i) configured for substantially isothermal storage and recovery of energy, and (ii) comprising a cylinder assembly including a staged pneumatic side and a hydraulic side, the sides being separated by a mechanical boundary mechanism that transfers energy therebetween; and a heat-exchange subsystem configured for fluid communication with the pneumatic side of the cylinder assembly and the source of recovered thermal energy, wherein the heat-exchange subsystem comprises; a circulation apparatus in fluid communication with the pneumatic side of the cylinder assembly for circulating a fluid through the heat-exchange subsystem; and a heat exchanger comprising; a first side in fluid communication with the circulation apparatus and the pneumatic side of the cylinder assembly, the circulation apparatus circulating the fluid from the pneumatic side of the cylinder assembly, through the heat exchanger, and back to the pneumatic side of the cylinder assembly, and a second side configured for fluid communication with the source of recovered thermal energy. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A combined thermal and compressed-gas energy conversion system (i) suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources and (ii) for use with a source of recovered thermal energy, the system comprising:
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a compressed-gas energy conversion system (i) configured for substantially isothermal storage and recovery of energy, and (ii) comprising a pressure vessel for storage of the compressed gas; a spray mechanism disposed in the pressure vessel; and a heat-exchange subsystem configured for fluid communication with the pressure vessel and the source of recovered thermal energy, the heat-exchange subsystem comprising; a circulation apparatus in fluid communication with the pressure vessel for circulating a fluid through the heat-exchange subsystem, and a heat exchanger comprising; a first side in fluid communication with the circulation apparatus and the pressure vessel, the circulation apparatus circulating the fluid from the pressure vessel, through the heat exchanger, and back to the pressure vessel, and a second side configured for fluid communication with the source of recovered thermal energy, wherein the fluid comprises a heat-exchange fluid introduced into the pressure vessel through the spray mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification