Near-isothermal gas compressor and/or /expander system
AssigneeUniversity of Virginia Patent Foundation
InventorEric Loth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure presents systems for near-isothermal processes for gas compressors and/or expanders using an internal liquid approach with spray and/or novel porous elements for reciprocating systems. Furthermore, it presents approaches for compressed air energy storage using isobaric reservoirs for onshore wind turbines using an underground pressurized reservoir coupled with a compensating surface water reservoir, and for offshore wind turbines using the monopile for the pressurized reservoir.
Claims26
A gas compressor system, comprising:
- at least one stage of the compressor having one or a plurality of cylinders each with a mechanical piston coupled to a crankshaft whereby rotation of the crankshaft drives each piston in a reciprocating manner to provide mechanical compression or expansion of a gas in a cylindrical chamber
- a fluid volume inside the chamber of each cylinder where a volume of the gas varies upon movement of the piston and a timing of valves, where the piston is single-acting having one fluid volume per cylinder or double-acting having two fluid volumes per cylinder,
- wherein an internal liquid volume is also included in the chamber and this liquid volume comprises between 1% and 30% of the maximum chamber fluid volume;
- wherein each cylinder chamber includes at least one low-pressure valve to draw in low-pressure gas and at least one high-pressure valve to exhaust high-pressure gas from the chamber.
A pressurized reservoir for compressed gas configured to allow approximately isobaric operation wherein compensating water leaves the reservoir as compressed gas enters the reservoir and compensating water enters the reservoir as the compressed gas leaves the reservoir, wherein the water in the reservoir is contained within one or more flexible bladders to prevent high-pressure gas dissolution into the water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.