Compressed air energy storage system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsFrederick W. Ahrens, George T. Kartsounes
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Abstract
An internal combustion reciprocating engine is operable as a compressor during slack demand periods utilizing excess power from a power grid to charge air into an air storage reservoir and as an expander during peak demand periods to feed power into the power grid utilizing air obtained from the air storage reservoir together with combustible fuel. Preferably the internal combustion reciprocating engine is operated at high pressure and a low pressure turbine and compressor are also employed for air compression and power generation.
Claims7
A compressed air energy storage system comprising an internal combustion reciprocating engine, an air storage reservoir, means external to said reciprocating engine for operating said reciprocating engine as an air compressor during slack demand periods for power, means for charging the storage reservoir with air compressed by the reciprocating engine, means for feeding air from the storage reservoir and fuel to the reciprocating engine during peak demand periods for power, and means for burning the air/fuel mixture whereupon the engine operates as an expander, developing power available for external use.
Method of operating an electrical power generating plant comprising:
- in periods of slack demand for power, operating an internal combustion reciprocating engine as a two-stroke compressor utilizing excess power from a power grid and storing the air compressed thereby and
- in periods of peak demand for power, feeding stored air and fuel to the reciprocating engine, burning the fuel/air mixture to operate the reciprocating engine as a two-stroke expander, and feeding power developed thereby to the power grid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.