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US 8,245,508 B2Granted
Improving efficiency of liquid heat exchange in compressed-gas energy storage systems
AssigneeSustainX, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Bollinger, Patrick Magari, Troy O. McBride
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In various embodiments, efficiency of energy storage and recovery systems employing compressed air and liquid heat exchange is improved via control of the system operation and/or the properties of the heat-exchange liquid.
Claims19
A method for improving efficiency of a compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system, the method comprising:
- providing a heat-transfer fluid comprising an additive therein for at least one of (i) reducing a surface tension of the heat-transfer fluid or (ii) enhancing a lubricity of the heat-transfer fluid;
- at least one of (i) compressing gas to store energy or (ii) expanding gas to recover energy;
- and
- thereduring, exchanging heat between the gas and the additive-containing heat-transfer fluid, thereby increasing efficiency of the energy storage and recovery,
- wherein the heat exchange between the additive-containing heat-transfer fluid and the gas renders the at least one of compression or expansion of the gas substantially isothermal.
2 more elements
A method for improving efficiency of a compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system, the method comprising:
- providing a heat-transfer fluid comprising an additive therein for at least one of (i) reducing a surface tension of the heat-transfer fluid or (ii) enhancing a lubricity of the heat-transfer fluid;
- at least one of (i) compressing gas to store energy or (ii) expanding gas to recover energy;
- and
- thereduring, exchanging heat between the gas and the additive-containing heat-transfer fluid, thereby increasing efficiency of the energy storage and recovery,
- wherein exchanging heat between the gas and the additive-containing heat-transfer fluid comprises spraying the additive-containing heat-transfer fluid into the gas, an injection velocity of the spraying being less than an injection velocity required to form a spray from the heat-transfer fluid without the additive.
2 more elements
A compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system comprising:
- a cylinder assembly for compressing gas to store energy and expanding gas to recover energy, the cylinder assembly comprising two separated chambers;
- a spray mechanism for introducing a spray of heat-transfer fluid within the cylinder assembly to exchange heat with gas therein, thereby increasing efficiency of the energy storage and recovery;
- and
- a control system for controlling a velocity of the spray based at least in part on a surface tension of the heat-transfer fluid.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.