Compressed gas energy storage and release system
OwnerAndrew Marks de Chabrisinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system and method. The system has a gas compressor, a container for storing compressed gas, a pressure engine, and an underground high temperature region. Conduits connect the gas compressor, the container and the pressure engine. The compressed gas drives the pressure engine. An electrical power generating means is operatively connected to said pressure engine to generate electricity. The system further comprises a means to heat at least a portion of one of the conduits utilizing heat from the underground high temperature region to heat the compressed gas therein prior to driving the pressure engine.
Claims48
A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system comprising:
- a gas compressor for compressing gas;
- a container configured to store said compressed gas, said container being in communication with said gas compressor via a first conduit;
- a pressure engine in communication with said container via a second conduit, said pressure engine being driven by expansion of said compressed gas, thereby converting said compressed gas into mechanical work;
- an electrical power generating means operatively connected to said pressure engine, said electrical power generating means being configured to convert said mechanical work into electricity;
- an underground high temperature region positioned at a level below a surface of the earth;
- means to heat at least a portion of said first conduit or said second conduit utilizing heat from said underground high temperature region to form a heated compressed gas therein.
A method of storing and releasing compressed gas energy, said method comprising the steps of:
- compressing a gas to form a compressed gas;
- heating at least a portion of said compressed gas utilizing heat from an underground high temperature region to form a heated compressed gas, said underground high temperature region being positioned at a level below a surface of the earth;
- storing said compressed gas in a container, before or after said heating step;
- converting at least said heated compressed gas into mechanical work;
- converting said mechanical work into electricity;
- wherein said step of heating at least a portion of said compressed gas comprises directing said compressed gas through a conduit, at least a portion of said conduit passing through said underground high temperature region to heat said compressed gas therein.
A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system comprising:
- a gas compressor;
- a valve connected to said gas compressor;
- a container for storing compressed gas;
- a pressure engine;
- an electrical power generating means operatively connected to said pressure engine;
- an underground high temperature region;
- one or more first conduits connecting the valve to said container;
- one or more second conduits connecting said valve to said container via said underground high temperature region;
- and
- one or more third conduits connecting said container to said pressure engine.
A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system comprising:
- a gas compressor;
- a container for storing compressed gas;
- a pressure engine;
- an electrical power generating means operatively connected to said pressure engine;
- an underground high temperature region;
- a heating loop;
- a first conduit connecting said gas compressor to said container;
- and
- a second conduit connecting said container to said pressure engine;
- wherein one portion of said heating loop is positioned in said underground high temperature region, and another portion of said heating loop is thermal conductively connected to said second conduit.
A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system comprising:
- a gas compressor;
- a container for storing compressed gas;
- a pressure engine;
- an electrical power generating means operatively connected to said pressure engine;
- an underground high temperature region;
- a heating loop;
- a first conduit connecting said gas compressor to said container;
- and
- a second conduit connecting said container to said pressure engine;
- wherein one portion of said heating loop is positioned in said underground high temperature region, and another portion of said heating loop is thermal conductively connected to said first conduit.
A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system comprising:
- a gas compressor;
- a container for storing compressed gas;
- a pressure engine;
- an electrical power generating means operatively connected to said pressure engine;
- an underground high temperature region;
- one or more first conduits connecting said gas compressor to said container to provide compressed gas therein;
- one or more second conduits connecting said container to said pressure engine to provide said compressed gas to operate said pressure engine;
- wherein at least a portion of said one or more first conduits or said one or more second conduits is positioned in said underground high temperature region for passing said compressed gas through said underground high temperature region.
A method of storing and releasing compressed gas energy comprising:
- compressing gas and storing the gas in a container;
- passing the gas from the container to a pressure engine operatively connected to an electrical power generating means;
- heating the gas prior to the gas being passed to the pressure engine by passing the gas through an underground high temperature region.
A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system comprising:
- a gas compressor;
- a container for storing compressed gas;
- a pressure engine;
- a valve connected to said pressure engine;
- an electrical power generating means operatively connected to said pressure engine;
- an underground high temperature region;
- one or more first conduits connecting the valve to said container;
- one or more second conduits connecting said valve to said container via said underground high temperature region;
- and
- one or more third conduits connecting said container to said gas compressor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.