Compressed air energy storage system utilizing two-phase flow to facilitate heat exchange

摘要

A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
flowing gas through a first valve to a chamber receiving a moveable member and a mechanical linkage in communication with the moveable member; causing the mechanical linkage to drive the moveable member to compress gas within the chamber; effecting gas-liquid heat exchange with gas being compressed within the chamber; and causing a control system to control a state of the first valve based upon a compression efficiency, wherein the control system is further configured to, control a second valve comprising a cam operated poppet to exhaust compressed gas from the chamber, receive a signal, and based upon the received signal, control the second valve to selectively flow compressed gas from the high pressure side into the chamber to drive the moveable member and the mechanical linkage in an absence of combustion to operate an electrical generator supplying electrical power to a power supply network over a ramp up period of a generation asset.