Systems and methods for efficient pumping of high-pressure fluids for energy storage and recovery
First Claim
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1. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
- a mechanical assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of a gas, the mechanical assembly being configured to receive a heat-transfer fluid for maintaining the gas at a substantially constant temperature during the at least one of expansion or compression; and
in fluid communication with the mechanical assembly, a circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet of the mechanical assembly at a first elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a second pressure larger than the first pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid to an inlet of the mechanical assembly at a third pressure, to thereby increase efficiency of the at least one of expansion or compression,wherein the circulation apparatus comprises;
a pumping cylinder comprising (i) two separated chambers selectively fluidly connected to the inlet and the outlet of the mechanical assembly, and (ii) a piston disposed within the pumping cylinder separating the chambers; and
an actuator, coupled to the piston, for alternately driving the piston in two opposing directions, thereby alternately increasing a pressure within each of the two chambers.
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Abstract
In various embodiments, a mechanical assembly and/or storage vessel is fluidly coupled to a circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet at a first elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a second pressure larger than the first pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid to an inlet at a third pressure.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
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a mechanical assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of a gas, the mechanical assembly being configured to receive a heat-transfer fluid for maintaining the gas at a substantially constant temperature during the at least one of expansion or compression; and in fluid communication with the mechanical assembly, a circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet of the mechanical assembly at a first elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a second pressure larger than the first pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid to an inlet of the mechanical assembly at a third pressure, to thereby increase efficiency of the at least one of expansion or compression, wherein the circulation apparatus comprises; a pumping cylinder comprising (i) two separated chambers selectively fluidly connected to the inlet and the outlet of the mechanical assembly, and (ii) a piston disposed within the pumping cylinder separating the chambers; and an actuator, coupled to the piston, for alternately driving the piston in two opposing directions, thereby alternately increasing a pressure within each of the two chambers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
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a mechanical assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of a gas, the mechanical assembly being configured to receive a heat-transfer fluid for maintaining the gas at a substantially constant temperature during the at least one of expansion or compression; and in fluid communication with the mechanical assembly, a circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet of the mechanical assembly at a first elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a second pressure larger than the first pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid to an inlet of the mechanical assembly at a third pressure, to thereby increase efficiency of the at least one of expansion or compression, wherein the mechanical assembly comprises a cylinder assembly having (i) two separated compartments and (ii) a movable boundary disposed within the cylinder assembly separating the compartments and comprising a piston and rod assembly defining fluid passageway therethrough connected to the outlet of the cylinder assembly.
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18. An energy storage and recovery system suitable for the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, the system comprising:
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a mechanical assembly for at least one of expansion or compression of a gas, the mechanical assembly being configured to receive a heat-transfer fluid for maintaining the gas at a substantially constant temperature during the at least one of expansion or compression; in fluid communication with the mechanical assembly, a circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet of the mechanical assembly at a first elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a second pressure larger than the first pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid, to an inlet of the mechanical assembly at a third pressure, to thereby increase efficiency of the at least one of expansion or compression; selectively fluidly connected to the mechanical assembly, a vessel for storage of compressed gas; and in fluid communication with the vessel, a second circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet of the vessel at a fourth elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a fifth pressure larger than the fourth pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid, to an inlet of the vessel at a sixth pressure. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification