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Heat exchange with compressed gas in energy-storage systems

  • US 8,763,390 B2
  • Filed: 08/01/2012
  • Issued: 07/01/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system comprising:

  • a first cylinder assembly for at least one of, over a first pressure range, compressing gas to store energy or expanding gas to recover energy, the first cylinder assembly comprising two separated chambers;

    selectively fluidly connected to a chamber of the first cylinder assembly, a vent for admitting ambient air into the chamber of the first cylinder assembly for compression and for exhausting gas from the chamber of the first cylinder assembly after expansion;

    selectively fluidly connected to the first cylinder assembly, a second cylinder assembly for at least one of, over a second pressure range higher than the first pressure range, compressing gas to store energy or expanding gas to recover energy, the second cylinder assembly comprising two separated chambers;

    a first spray mechanism for mingling heat-exchange fluid and gas for at least one of compression or expansion within the second cylinder assembly;

    selectively fluidly connected to a chamber of the second cylinder assembly, a compressed-gas reservoir for storage of gas after compression and supply of compressed gas for expansion, the compressed-gas reservoir comprising an underground cavern; and

    a heat-exchange subsystem for thermally conditioning gas within the compressed-gas reservoir, the heat-exchange subsystem comprising (i) a second spray mechanism disposed within the underground cavern, (ii) a circulation apparatus for extracting liquid from a bottom portion of the underground cavern, and (iii) a conduit selectively fluidly connecting the circulation apparatus and the bottom portion of the underground cavern.

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