Compressed gas energy storage system using turbine

Abstract

An energy storage system utilizing compressed gas as a storage medium, may include one or more turbines configured to convert energy in gas expansion and compression processes. One or more axial and centrifugal turbines may be used to store energy by compressing gas, and to recover energy from expanding gas. A plurality of orifices/nozzles may introduce a liquid into the gas as a heat exchange medium. Orifices/nozzles may be disposed on various surfaces of a turbine and/or in a separate mixing chamber flowing to a turbine. Structures of the turbine may be designed to mitigate damage caused by liquid injection, for example the turbine blades may be flexible and/or comprise impact-resistant materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to recover energy from compressed gas, the system comprising:
 a compressed gas storage unit;   a first chamber defined within walls and in selective fluid communication with the compressed gas storage unit to receive compressed gas;   a first airfoil configured to drive a rotor within the first chamber in response to the compressed gas expanding in an absence of combustion; and   an element configured to effect gas-liquid heat exchange with the expanding compressed gas.   
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the first airfoil and the rotor within the first chamber define an axial turbine. 
     
     
         3 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the first airfoil and the rotor within the first chamber define a centrifugal turbine. 
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the turbine comprises a unidirectional turbine. 
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the turbine comprises a bidirectional turbine. 
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the first chamber is in selective fluid communication with the compressed gas storage unit through a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 6  wherein the heat exchanger is in selective thermal communication with a thermal storage unit. 
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 6  wherein the thermal storage unit comprises liquid water at atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the element comprises a liquid sprayer in fluid communication with the first chamber. 
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 9  wherein the liquid sprayer is in fluid communication with the first chamber through an upstream mixing chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 1  further comprising a second airfoil located downstream from the first airfoil and configured to be driven by further expanding gas. 
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 11  further comprising:
 first liquid sprayer positioned upstream of the first airfoil to effect gas-liquid heat exchange with the expanding gas; and 
 a second liquid sprayer positioned between the first airfoil and the second airfoil to effect gas-liquid heat exchange with the further expanding gas. 
 
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 12  wherein the second airfoil is located in the first chamber to define another turbine stage. 
     
     
         14 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the first airfoil comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         15 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the first airfoil is designed for periodic replacement based upon a wear profile over time. 
     
     
         16 . A system as in  claim 1  further comprising an electrical generator in communication with the rotor. 
     
     
         17 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein the rotor is in selective communication with an energy source to drive the first airfoil to compress gas within the chamber and flow compressed gas to the compressed gas storage unit. 
     
     
         18 . A system as in  claim 17  wherein the energy source comprises a motor, a combustion turbine, a wind turbine, or a steam turbine. 
     
     
         19 . A system as in  claim 1  further comprising a control system configured to:
 receive a signal; and 
 based upon the received signal, controlling a valve to flow compressed gas into the first chamber such that an electrical generator in communication with the rotor supplies electrical power to a power supply network to cover a ramp up period of a generation asset. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method of recovering energy from compressed gas, the method comprising:
 flowing compressed gas from a compressed gas storage unit into a chamber having a moveable member coupled to a rotor;   allowing the compressed gas to expand within the chamber and drive rotation of the moveable member and the rotor in an absence of combustion;   effecting gas-liquid heat exchange with the compressed gas expanding within the chamber; and   generating electricity from rotation of the rotor.   
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 20  wherein gas-liquid heat exchange is effected by spraying liquid into the chamber. 
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 20  wherein gas-liquid heat exchange is effected by spraying liquid into a mixing chamber located upstream from the chamber. 
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 20  wherein gas-liquid heat exchange is effected by bubbling the compressed gas through a liquid. 
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 20  further comprising:
 flowing expanded gas from the moveable member to a second moveable member; 
 allowing the expanded gas to further expand and drive rotation of the second moveable member; 
 effecting gas-liquid heat exchange with the further expanding gas. 
 
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 20  further comprising:
 placing the rotor into selective communication with an energy source; 
 causing the rotor to rotate the moveable member and compress gas within the chamber; 
 effecting gas-liquid heat exchange between the gas compressed within the chamber; and 
 flowing the gas compressed within the chamber to a compressed gas storage unit or to a next higher pressure stage. 
 
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 25  wherein the energy source comprises a motor or a second turbine. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus comprising:
 a chamber in selective fluid communication with a compressed gas storage unit;   an element configured to effect gas-liquid heat exchange with gas expanding within the chamber in an absence of combustion within the chamber; and   a turbine rotatable within the chamber to transmit a power of expanding gas out of the chamber via a mechanical linkage, the turbine comprising a flexible turbine blade configured to assume a shape in response to a rotational force.   
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as in  claim 27  wherein the flexible turbine blade is also configured to be selectively driven to compress gas within the turbine. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus as in  claim 27  wherein the chamber is in selective fluid communication with the compressed gas storage unit through a counterflow heat exchanger. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus as in  claim 27  further comprising:
 a second chamber in selective fluid communication with a compressed gas storage unit; 
 a second element configured to effect gas-liquid heat exchange with gas being compressed within the second chamber; and 
 a second turbine configured to be driven by a second mechanical linkage to rotate within the second chamber to cause a second flexible turbine blade to compress gas within the second chamber. 
 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus as in  claim 30  wherein the turbine comprises an axial turbine. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus as in  claim 30  wherein the turbine comprises a centrifugal turbine. 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus as in  claim 30  wherein the turbine comprises a unidirectional turbine. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus as in  claim 30  wherein the turbine comprises a bidirectional turbine. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus comprising:
 a chamber in selective fluid communication with a source of stored gas, and in selective fluid communication with a source of steam;   an element configured to selectively effect gas-liquid heat exchange with the stored gas expanding within the chamber in an absence of combustion within the chamber; and   a member moveable within the chamber to transmit a power of expanding stored gas or of steam out of the chamber via a mechanical linkage.   
     
     
         36 . An apparatus as in  claim 35  wherein the moveable member is configured to rotate within the chamber. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus as in  claim 36  wherein the moveable member comprises a turbine rotor. 
     
     
         38 . An apparatus as in  claim 35  wherein the moveable member is configured to reciprocate within the chamber. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus as in  claim 38  wherein the moveable member comprises a solid piston. 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus as in  claim 35  wherein the steam source comprises combustion of a fuel. 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus as in  claim 35  wherein the steam source comprises a steam turbine. 
     
     
         42 . An apparatus as in  claim 35  wherein the chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the steam source upon receipt of a signal indicating a loss of power from an intermittent renewable energy source. 
     
     
         43 . An apparatus comprising:
 a chamber in selective fluid communication with a liquid circuit comprising a liquid;   a bubbler configured to introduce bubbles of gas from a compressed gas storage unit into the liquid; and   a first moveable member rotatable to transmit out of the chamber via a mechanical linkage, a power of the gas bubbles expanding within the liquid,   wherein a gas-liquid separator of the liquid circuit is configured to receive a gas-liquid mixture from the chamber.   
     
     
         44 . An apparatus as in  claim 43  wherein the first moveable member comprises a liquid turbine. 
     
     
         45 . An apparatus as in  claim 44  wherein the liquid turbine comprises a centrifugal turbine. 
     
     
         46 . An apparatus as in  claim 44  wherein the liquid turbine comprises a reversible turbine. 
     
     
         47 . An apparatus as in  claim 44  wherein the liquid turbine comprises a Francis turbine. 
     
     
         48 . An apparatus as in  claim 44  wherein the liquid turbine comprises a dedicated turbine, the apparatus further comprising a dedicated compressor. 
     
     
         49 . An apparatus as in  claim 43  wherein the first moveable member comprises a blade. 
     
     
         50 . An apparatus as in  claim 43  wherein the first moveable member comprises a bucket. 
     
     
         51 . An apparatus as in  claim 44  wherein the liquid turbine comprises an axial turbine. 
     
     
         52 . An apparatus comprising:
 an element configured to effect gas-liquid heat exchange with gas inside a chamber; and   a mechanical linkage selectively configured to transmit power into the chamber to cause a rotatable member to compress gas within the chamber, the mechanical linkage configured to be in selective communication with a baseline generation asset when a load falls below a baseline.   
     
     
         53 . An apparatus as in  claim 52  wherein when the load rises above the baseline:
 the chamber is configured to be in selective fluid communication with a compressed gas storage unit; and 
 the mechanical linkage is configured to transmit out of the chamber to an electrical generator, a power of gas expanding within the chamber. 
 
     
     
         54 . An apparatus as in  claim 52  wherein the mechanical linkage is in selective communication with an intermittent renewable energy source to cause the rotatable member to compress gas within the chamber. 
     
     
         55 . An apparatus as in  claim 52  wherein the rotatable member comprises a turbine. 
     
     
         56 . An apparatus as in  claim 55  wherein the turbine comprises a gas turbine. 
     
     
         57 . An apparatus as in  claim 55  wherein the turbine comprises a liquid turbine.