An apparatus for storing large quantities of compressed gas at high pressure underground.

An installation for storing cryogenic fluid, in particular liquefied hydrogen, including a cryogenic tank buried directly underground with a predetermined depth below the surface of the ground, having at least one heat transfer element having a thermal conductivity greater than 10 W/m.K and buried in the ground with a first end situated between the tank and the surface of the ground and a second end situated in a lateral zone around the tank.

A pressurized gaseous and liquified hydrocarbon feedstock storage system method. The system includes a plurality of underground circuits or sections having parallel pipes joined together by radial ends arranged in various configurations to minimize plot space and maximize the amount of pressurized gaseous fuel stored.

Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.

The present disclosure is related to systems and/or methods for energy storage in desert environments. Various embodiments described herein include a system for subterranean energy storage. The system can comprise a subterranean flexible storage vessel coupled to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can be configured to supply a cooled compressed gas stream to the subterranean flexible storage vessel. Further, the subterranean flexible storage vessel can be at least partially surrounded by sand. Additionally, the system can comprise a turbine generator coupled to the subterranean flexible storage vessel. The subterranean flexible storage vessel can be configured to supply a pressurized gas stream that is heated by the sand to the turbine generator.

A system for storing air at high pressure underground or underwater includes a plurality of arrays of air tanks, each tank configured to store compressed air at a pressure of at least 40 bar. A piping system connects between an outlet of each air tank, the piping system further including at least one central port for delivering compressed air to and from a respective array. A storage receptacle surrounds the arrays and piping system, protecting the arrays and piping system from an external environment, and thermally insulating the arrays and piping system. A liquid bath is arranged within the storage receptacle. A heat exchanger is configured to maintain a temperature of the liquid bath substantially constant. The storage receptacle may be comprised of plastic pieces welded together in a modular fashion. Each piece may be a cylindrical tube configured to receive therein one or more of the arrays.

Apparatus comprising a source of a first fluid (204), a fluid displacement device (210) for moving the first fluid from the source to a sealed storage chamber (214), means for introducing a second fluid (207), different from the first fluid into the first fluid prior to reaching the storage chamber, the arrangement being such that the sealed storage chamber receives a mixture of the first and second fluids under a pressure greater than the pressure at the point at which the second fluid is introduced into the first fluid and includes a first fluid outlet (220) for directing the first fluid separated from the second fluid in the storage chamber externally of the storage chamber.

The present disclosure is directed to a compressed fuel dispensing station having a compressor configured to compress a fuel source, a plurality of fuel dispensing units, at least one low pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the fuel compressor and the plurality of fuel dispensing units, and a plurality of high pressure compressed fuel reservoirs, wherein each high pressure compressed fuel reservoir is fluidly connected to the fuel compressor and at least one fuel dispensing unit.

Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.

A system for storing air at high pressure underground or underwater includes a plurality of arrays of air tanks, each tank configured to store compressed air at a pressure of at least 40 bar. A piping system connects between an outlet of each air tank, the piping system further including at least one central port for delivering compressed air to and from a respective array. A storage receptacle surrounds the arrays and piping system, protecting the arrays and piping system from an external environment, and thermally insulating the arrays and piping system. A liquid bath is arranged within the storage receptacle. A heat exchanger is configured to maintain a temperature of the liquid bath substantially constant. The storage receptacle may be comprised of plastic pieces welded together in a modular fashion. Each piece may be a cylindrical tube configured to receive therein one or more of the arrays.