US 12,146,682 B2
Systems and methods of isothermal compression for energy storage
Sylvie Lorente, Philadelphia, PA (US); and Adrian Bejan, Durham, NC (US)
Assigned to Villanova University, Villanova, PA (US); and Duke University, Durham, NC (US)
Filed by Villanova University, Villanova, PA (US); and Duke University, Durham, NC (US)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/076,498.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/288,012, filed on Dec. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0184447 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. F24F 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 5/001 (2013.01) [F24F 5/0021 (2013.01); F24F 2005/0025 (2013.01); F24F 2203/021 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compressed gas energy storage system to provide isothermal compression and expansion for energy storage, the system comprising:
a housing defining an envelope including an internal volume;
a phase change material (PCM) partially filling the internal volume;
a dendritic gas flow path through the PCM; and
a piston driven by a drive mechanism and that when driven moves relative to the PCM within the housing, wherein the gas flow path is distributed throughout an entire volume of the PCM in a hierarchical structure, the hierarchical structure including a number of larger channels or paths, connected to a larger number of medium channels than the number of the larger channels which are, in turn, connected to a larger number of smaller channels than the number of the larger channels and the number of the medium channels.