Heat exchange with compressed gas in energy-storage systems
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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Abstract
In various embodiments, compressed-gas energy storage and recovery systems include a cylinder assembly for compression and/or expansion of gas, a reservoir for storage and/or supply of compressed gas, and a system for thermally conditioning gas within the reservoir.
704 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification