F01K3/20

Varying compression ratios in energy storage and retrieval systems

In the present disclosure, an example method is provided. The example method may comprise operating a pumped thermal system in a charging cycle at a first compression ratio, wherein the pumped thermal system comprises a working fluid circulating through, in sequence, a compressor system, a hot side heat exchanger, a turbine system, and a cold side heat exchanger, wherein the working fluid is in thermal contact with a hot thermal storage (HTS) medium in the hot side heat exchanger and the working fluid is in thermal contact with a cold thermal storage (CTS) medium in the cold side heat exchanger. The example method may also comprise operating the pumped thermal system in a discharging cycle at a second compression ratio different than the first compression ratio.

Varying compression ratios in energy storage and retrieval systems

In the present disclosure, an example method is provided. The example method may comprise operating a pumped thermal system in a charging cycle at a first compression ratio, wherein the pumped thermal system comprises a working fluid circulating through, in sequence, a compressor system, a hot side heat exchanger, a turbine system, and a cold side heat exchanger, wherein the working fluid is in thermal contact with a hot thermal storage (HTS) medium in the hot side heat exchanger and the working fluid is in thermal contact with a cold thermal storage (CTS) medium in the cold side heat exchanger. The example method may also comprise operating the pumped thermal system in a discharging cycle at a second compression ratio different than the first compression ratio.

Pumped thermal storage cycles with recuperation

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

Pumped thermal storage cycles with recuperation

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

Methods of hot and cold side charging in thermal energy storage systems

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

Methods of hot and cold side charging in thermal energy storage systems

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

Combined brayton/rankine cycle gas and steam turbine generating system operated in two closed loops
10436074 · 2019-10-08 ·

A combined cycle dual closed loop electric generating system, having a gas turbine assembly (having a combustion chamber, a compressor, a first pump, a first driveshaft, a gas turbine and a first generator) and a steam turbine assembly (having a second pump, a second driveshaft, a steam turbine and a second generator). The first portion of the working fluid circulates through the gas turbine assembly and a first heat exchanger. The second portion of the working fluid circulates through the steam turbine assembly and the first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger transfers a first heat energy from the gas turbine loop to the steam turbine loop. The gas turbine assembly generates a first portion of an electric output. The steam turbine assembly generates a second portion of the electric output.

Combined brayton/rankine cycle gas and steam turbine generating system operated in two closed loops
10436074 · 2019-10-08 ·

A combined cycle dual closed loop electric generating system, having a gas turbine assembly (having a combustion chamber, a compressor, a first pump, a first driveshaft, a gas turbine and a first generator) and a steam turbine assembly (having a second pump, a second driveshaft, a steam turbine and a second generator). The first portion of the working fluid circulates through the gas turbine assembly and a first heat exchanger. The second portion of the working fluid circulates through the steam turbine assembly and the first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger transfers a first heat energy from the gas turbine loop to the steam turbine loop. The gas turbine assembly generates a first portion of an electric output. The steam turbine assembly generates a second portion of the electric output.

Pumped thermal systems with dedicated compressor/turbine pairs

In an example, a system configured to operate in a heat pump mode and heat engine mode is disclosed. The system may comprise a first working fluid path, first hot thermal storage (HTS) fluid path, and first cold thermal storage (CTS) fluid path for operation in the heat pump mode. The first working fluid path may be configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, a first compressor, first hot side heat exchanger, first turbine, first cold side heat exchanger, and back to the first compressor. The system may also comprise a second working fluid path, second HTS fluid path, and second CTS fluid path for operation in the heat engine mode. The second working fluid path may be configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, a second compressor, second hot side heat exchanger, second turbine, second cold side heat exchanger, and back to the second compressor.

Pumped thermal systems with dedicated compressor/turbine pairs

In an example, a system configured to operate in a heat pump mode and heat engine mode is disclosed. The system may comprise a first working fluid path, first hot thermal storage (HTS) fluid path, and first cold thermal storage (CTS) fluid path for operation in the heat pump mode. The first working fluid path may be configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, a first compressor, first hot side heat exchanger, first turbine, first cold side heat exchanger, and back to the first compressor. The system may also comprise a second working fluid path, second HTS fluid path, and second CTS fluid path for operation in the heat engine mode. The second working fluid path may be configured to circulate the working fluid through, in sequence, a second compressor, second hot side heat exchanger, second turbine, second cold side heat exchanger, and back to the second compressor.