SEMI-ISOTHERMAL COMPRESSION ENGINES WITH SEPARATE COMBUSTORS AND EXPANDERS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Engine systems and associated methods, including subterranean and submarine storage volumes are disclosed. An engine system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet and a combustor having a combustor inlet coupled to the compressor outlet, the combustor further having a combustor outlet, A subterranean compressed air storage volume, such as a gas well or aquifer, can be coupled between the compressor and the combustor. The engine system can include a positive displacement expander having an expander inlet coupled to the combustor outlet, the expander further having an expander outlet, and a work output device; a valve coupled between the combustor and the expander to regulate a flow of hot combustion products passing from the combustor to the expander; and an exhaust energy recovery device coupled to the expander outlet to extract energy from the combustion products exiting the expander.