US 10,047,637 B2 · Intermediate pressure storage system for thermal storage

Abstract

In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first steam engine, an intermediate storage, and a second steam engine. The first steam engine may include a first inlet and a first exhaust, wherein the first inlet receives steam from a source of thermal energy. The intermediate storage may be coupled to the first exhaust, wherein the intermediate storage stores thermal energy provided by steam from the first exhaust. The second steam engine may include a second inlet coupled to the intermediate storage. Moreover, at least one of the first steam engine and the second steam engine may produce work. Furthermore, the first steam engine may be driven by the steam received from the source of thermal energy, and the second steam engine may be driven by steam from at least one of the intermediate storage and the first exhaust. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An energy storage and delivery system comprising:

first and second reciprocating steam engines arranged to use steam as a working fluid;
and
an intermediate storage including a pressure vessel arranged to hold a mass of the working fluid, the intermediate storage being arranged to receive, condense and store at least some of the steam expelled from the first reciprocating steam engine as part of the mass of working fluid and to serve as a source of flash steam for the second reciprocating steam engine whereby the same working fluid passes through the first and second reciprocating steam engines;
and
wherein a first exhaust of the first reciprocating steam engine is plumbed to (a) the intermediate storage such that steam from the first exhaust is injected into liquid water that is part of the mass of working fluid contained by the intermediate storage, whereby the steam from the first exhaust imparts thermal energy to the mass of working fluid as the steam condenses into the water, and (b) to the second reciprocating steam engine to thereby bypass the intermediate storage;
and
wherein the second reciprocating steam engine is configured to be selectably driven by steam from at least one of the intermediate storage and the first exhaust from the first reciprocating steam engine, whereby, at times, the second reciprocating steam engine is driven by steam received from the first exhaust thereby bypassing the intermediate storage and at other times is driven by steam received from the intermediate storage.

4 more elements

A method of operating an energy storage system that includes first and second reciprocating steam engines and a pressure vessel that serves as an intermediate store that stores a mass of working fluid that includes steam and liquid water, the method comprising:

driving the first reciprocating steam engine using steam received from a first steam source, the first reciprocating steam engine having a first inlet and a first exhaust and being configured to receive and exhaust the steam received from the first steam source;
injecting at least some of the steam exhausted from the first reciprocating steam engine into the liquid water stored in the pressure vessel, wherein at least some of the steam injected into the liquid water condenses into the mass of working fluid to thereby impart thermal energy into the mass of working fluid as the injected steam condenses into the liquid water;
and
driving the second reciprocating steam engine using steam released from the pressure vessel, wherein releasing steam from the pressure vessel causes some of the liquid water stored in the pressure vessel to flash into steam suitable for use in driving the second reciprocating steam engine;
and
wherein at first selected times, the first reciprocating steam engine is driven while the second reciprocating steam engine is not operated, and at second selected times, the second reciprocating steam engine is driven while the first reciprocating steam engine is not operated.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intermediate pressure storage system for thermal storage

Life of this patent

Intermediate pressure storage system for thermal storage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16