US 7,870,746 B2 · System and method for liquid air production, power storage and power release

Abstract

Systems and methods for releasing and replacing stored energy comprise capturing inlet air from the ambient environment so the inlet air flows in a first general direction. Released liquid air flows in a second general direction, the second general direction being substantially opposite to the first general direction. The released liquid air is pumped to pressure, and the released liquid air and inlet air flow past each other such that heat exchange occurs. The inlet air warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the inlet air. Moisture and carbon dioxide are removed from the inlet air, and the inlet air is compressed and cooled such that the inlet air is substantially liquefied. The substantially liquefied air replaces a portion of the released liquid air; and the substantially vaporized released liquid air is combusted with fuel to produce electricity.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of producing liquid air comprising:

directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly having an air inlet at or near its top into which the inlet air is directed and an exit at or near its bottom;
cooling the air within the cold flue assembly and removing a portion of moisture from the air within the cold flue assembly;
directing the air out the exit of the cold flue assembly;
compressing the air;
removing the remaining moisture and carbon dioxide from the air by adsorption;
cooling the air in a main heat exchanger such that the air is substantially liquefied, the cooling substantially performed by a refrigerant air stream;
and
directing the substantially liquefied air to a storage apparatus.

5 more elements

A method of releasing and replacing stored energy comprising:

compressing inlet air to a first pressure and recovering the heat of compression;
removing moisture and carbon dioxide from the air by adsorption;
directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly having an air inlet at or near its top into which the inlet air is directed and an exit at or near its bottom;
releasing liquid air from storage and pumping it to pressure;
directing the released liquid air through a main heat exchanger and vaporizing the liquid air by exposing it to heat from the inlet air;
cooling the inlet air within the cold flue assembly with the released vaporized liquid air and warming the released vaporized liquid air within the cold flue assembly with the inlet air;
compressing the inlet air to a second pressure;
cooling the inlet air in a main heat exchanger such that the inlet air is substantially liquefied, the cooling performed by the released liquid air;
and
directing the substantially liquefied inlet air to a storage apparatus to replace the released liquid air.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for liquid air production, power storage and power release

Life of this patent

System and method for liquid air production, power storage and power release

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15