US 12,222,068 B2
Thermal storage in pressurized fluid for compressed air energy storage systems
Daniel Stradiotto, Toronto (CA); Cameron Lewis, Toronto (CA); Davin Young, Toronto (CA); and Andrew McGillis, Toronto (CA)
Assigned to Hydrostor Inc., Toronto (CA)
Filed by Hydrostor Inc., Toronto (CA)
Filed on Oct. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/377,933.
Application 18/377,933 is a continuation of application No. 18/168,078, filed on Feb. 13, 2023, granted, now 11,821,584.
Application 18/168,078 is a continuation of application No. 17/526,508, filed on Nov. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,644,150, issued on May 9, 2023.
Application 17/526,508 is a continuation of application No. 16/492,401, granted, now 11,274,792, issued on Mar. 15, 2022, previously published as PCT/CA2018/050282, filed on Mar. 9, 2018.
Application 16/492,401 is a continuation of application No. PCT/CA2018/050112, filed on Jan. 31, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/469,264, filed on Mar. 9, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0035621 A1, Feb. 1, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F17C 1/00 (2006.01); B65G 5/00 (2006.01); F02C 6/16 (2006.01); F02C 7/143 (2006.01); F03D 9/17 (2016.01); F03D 9/18 (2016.01); F17C 5/06 (2006.01); F17C 13/02 (2006.01); F17C 13/06 (2006.01); F28D 20/00 (2006.01)
CPC F17C 1/007 (2013.01) [B65G 5/00 (2013.01); F02C 6/16 (2013.01); F02C 7/143 (2013.01); F03D 9/17 (2016.05); F03D 9/18 (2016.05); F17C 5/06 (2013.01); F17C 13/02 (2013.01); F17C 13/06 (2013.01); F28D 20/0034 (2013.01); F28D 20/0043 (2013.01); F28D 20/0052 (2013.01); F05D 2260/42 (2013.01); F17C 2227/0192 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0149 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0581 (2013.01); Y02E 60/16 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compressed gas energy storage system comprising:
a) an accumulator having an interior configured to contain compressed gas when in use, wherein the accumulator has a primary opening, an upper wall, a lower wall and the accumulator interior containing a compressed gas being at least partially bounded by the upper wall and lower wall;
b) a gas compressor/expander subsystem spaced apart from the accumulator and comprising at least a first compression stage having a gas inlet and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the accumulator interior via a gas conduit for conveying compressed gas to the accumulator when in a charging mode and from the accumulator when in a discharging mode; and
c) a thermal storage subsystem comprising:
i. at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure, wherein the first storage reservoir comprises a pressurized layer of cover gas above the thermal storage liquid and the layer of cover gas is formed by a boiling of a portion of the thermal storage liquid within the first storage reservoir whereby the layer of cover gas is pressurized to the storage pressure;
ii. a liquid passage having an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the first storage reservoir; and
iii. a first heat exchanger provided in the liquid passage and in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby when the compressed gas energy storage system is in a charging mode thermal energy is transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting the gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.