Systems and methods for energy storage and recovery using compressed gas

• US 8,209,974 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2011
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SustainX, Inc. (General Compression, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SustainX, Inc. (General Compression, Inc.)
• Inventors: McBride, Troy O., Bollinger, Benjamin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazo, Thomas E
• Application Number:
  US13/012,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20110219760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 604/05, 604/07, 604/08, 604/10, 604/15, 604/16, 604/18, 604/59
• US Class Current: 60/410
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 1/024 used as a supplementary power source, e.g. to store energy in idle periods to balance pump load
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 11/032 by means of fluid-pressure converters
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/08 Servomotor systems incorporating electrically operated control means F15B21/02, F15B21/065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20569 capable of working as pump and motor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/212 the pressure sources being accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/214 the pressure sources being hydrotransformers
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/216 the pressure sources being pneumatic-to-hydraulic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/30505 Non-return valves, i.e. check valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3057 having two valves, one for each port of a double-acting output member
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/30575 in a Wheatstone Bridge arrangement (also half bridges)
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3058 having additional valves for interconnecting the fluid chambers of a double-acting actuator, e.g. for regeneration mode or for floating mode directional control valves having a regenerative position F15B2211/3133; directional control valves having a floating position F15B2211/3127
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3111 the pump port being closed in the centre position, e.g. so-called closed centre
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/31594 having multiple pressure sources and multiple output members
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/327 electrically or electronically
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/40515 with variable throttles or orifices
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/41509 being connected to a pressure source and a directional control valve
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/41554 being connected to a return line and a directional control valve
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/426 electrically or electronically
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/45 Control of bleed-off flow, e.g. control of bypass flow to the return line
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/50581 using counterbalance valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/5153 : being connected to an output member and a directional control valve
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/62 : Cooling or heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6309 : the pressure being a pressure source supply pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7058 : Rotary output members

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and systems for the storage and recovery of energy using open-air hydraulic-pneumatic accumulator and intensifier arrangements that combine at least one accumulator and at least one intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits.

Claims

1. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:

a cylinder for compressing gas to store energy and expanding gas to impart energy; and

a control system for controlling operation of the cylinder to enforce substantially isothermal expansion and compression of the gas therein to thereby increase efficiency of the expansion and compression, the control system being responsive to at least one system parameter associated with operation of the cylinder.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one system parameter comprises at least one of a fluid state, a fluid flow, a temperature, and a pressure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cylinder comprises an interior portion and movable boundary therein separating the interior portion into first and second sides, the at least one system parameter comprising a position, within the cylinder, of the boundary.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first side is pneumatic and the second side is hydraulic.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic circuit including a first portion of the cylinder, the control system controlling a first control valve within the pneumatic circuit.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a hydraulic circuit including a second portion of the cylinder, the control system controlling a second control valve within the hydraulic circuit.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a hydraulic motor/pump in fluid communication with the cylinder for causing compression of gas or receiving energy from expansion of gas, the control system controlling the hydraulic motor/pump based on the at least one system parameter.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the hydraulic motor/pump comprises a shaft, the control system controlling at least one of a speed or a torque of the rotating shaft based on the at least one system parameter.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising, selectively fluidly connected to the cylinder, a storage vessel for storage of the gas after compression or before expansion.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the pressure vessel.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a valve for venting the gas to atmosphere after expansion thereof.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the gas being compressed or expanded therewithin.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a circulating water flow for thermally conditioning the gas being compressed or expanded within the cylinder.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second cylinder connected to the cylinder, the control system operating the cylinder and the second cylinder in a staged manner to provide a predetermined pressure profile at least at one outlet.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein (i) the cylinder transfers mechanical energy at a first pressure ratio, and (ii) the second cylinder transfers mechanical energy at a second pressure ratio greater than the first pressure ratio.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the cylinder and the second cylinder are connected in parallel.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein a maximum pressure of operation within the second cylinder is approximately 10 times a maximum pressure of operation within the cylinder.