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US 9,394,807 B1Granted
Apparatus, system, and methods for mechanical energy regeneration
OwnerSten Kreugerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for storing and retrieving thermo-mechanical energy are disclosed. The systems and methods generally include a thermodynamic loop or cycle (e.g., a reversible transcritical, trilateral, or Rankine/vapor compression cycle) that works as a heat pump in a charging mode and as a heat engine in a discharging mode. The thermodynamic loop or cycle includes a gas pressure changing device, a liquid pressure changing device, and a working fluid. The system further includes one or more heat storage devices with solid heat storage material(s). Heat is transferred between the working fluid and the solid heat storage material(s) in the high and low pressure sides of the thermodynamic cycle, respectively.
Claims24
A thermo-mechanical energy storage system working in a loop having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, comprising:
- one or more heat storage devices including one or more solid heat storage materials with a high pressure liquid connection, a high pressure gas connection, a low pressure liquid connection, and a low pressure gas connection;
- a gas pressure changing device connected between said high pressure gas connection and said low pressure gas connection;
- a liquid pressure changing device connected between said low pressure liquid connection and said high pressure liquid connection;
- and
- a working fluid in said loop, wherein the working fluid is in a gas phase in between said high pressure gas connection and said low pressure gas connection, and is in a liquid phase between said low pressure liquid connection and said high pressure liquid connection;
- wherein:
- said one or more heat storage devices comprises (i) a skeleton or framework of pipes or tubes, the one or more solid heat storage materials forming a relatively thick heat storage skin around the pipes or tubes, and (ii) an isolation material that thermally isolates adjacent layers of the pipes or tubes from each other;
- said working fluid and said one or more solid heat storage materials transfer or exchange heat across a temperature gradient between said high pressure gas connection and said high pressure liquid connection;
- said loop works as a heat pump in a charging mode and as a heat engine in a discharging mode;
- and
- said working fluid flows in one direction in the charging mode and in an opposite direction in the discharging mode.
8 more elements
A method of storing energy, comprising:
- a) absorbing heat in a liquid-phase working fluid at least in part isothermally in a low pressure side of a thermodynamic cycle from a solid heat storage material in a first heat storage device or a first section thereof, thereby changing at least some of the liquid-phase working fluid to a gas-phase working fluid;
- b) compressing or otherwise increasing a pressure and a temperature of the gas-phase working fluid;
- c) rejecting heat across a temperature gradient from the gas-phase working fluid in a high-pressure side of the thermodynamic cycle to a solid heat storage material in a second heat storage device or a second section of the first heat storage device, thereby changing at least some of the gas-phase working fluid to a liquid-phase working fluid;
- and
- d) performing mechanical work using the liquid-phase working fluid as the liquid-phase working fluid moves from the second heat storage device to the first heat storage device or from the second section to the first section of the first heat storage device;
- wherein at least said first heat storage device comprises (i) a skeleton or framework of pipes or tubes, the one or more solid heat storage materials forming a relatively thick heat storage skin around the pipes or tubes, and (ii) an isolation material that thermally isolates adjacent layers of the pipes or tubes from each other.
3 more elements
A method of retrieving energy, comprising:
- a) absorbing heat in a liquid-phase working fluid in a high pressure side of a thermodynamic cycle across a temperature gradient from a solid heat storage material in a first heat storage device or a first section thereof, thereby changing at least some of the liquid-phase working fluid to a gas-phase working fluid;
- b) expanding or otherwise decreasing a pressure of the gas-phase working fluid to perform mechanical work using the gas-phase working fluid;
- c) rejecting heat from the gas-phase working fluid at least in part isothermally in a low-pressure side of the thermodynamic cycle to a solid heat storage material in a second heat storage device or a second section of the first heat storage device, thereby changing at least some of the gas-phase working fluid to a liquid-phase working fluid;
- and
- d) pumping the liquid-phase working fluid from the second heat storage device to the first heat storage device or from the second section to the first section of the first heat storage device;
- wherein at least said first heat storage device comprises (i) a skeleton or framework of pipes or tubes, the one or more solid heat storage materials forming a relatively thick heat storage skin around the pipes or tubes, and (ii) an isolation material that thermally isolates adjacent layers of the pipes or tubes from each other.
3 more elements
A method of making a heat storage device, comprising:
- a) assembling a skeleton or framework of pipes or tubes;
- b) thermally isolating adjacent layers of the pipes or tubes from each other using a thermal isolation material;
- c) forming a form or housing of the heat storage device, said form or housing containing said skeleton or framework of pipes or tubes and said thermal isolation material;
- and
- d) pouring one or more solid heat storage materials in temporary liquid form into said form or housing when the form or housing is at a final destination or location of the heat storage device.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.