Christopher Edward Connors

Michael Steven Orshan

Denis Raymond Wiart Keegan Errol Lang for

COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE SYSTEM AND METHOD

Christopher Edward Connors

Michael Steven Orshan Denis Raymond Wiart Keegan Errol Lang

COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE SYSTEM AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] The present application is an original nonprovisional application which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Patent Applications Serial Number 63/286,024, filed December 4, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention.

[002] The field of the invention is that of energy storage and distribution. More particularly, the invention deals with energy storage and distribution using compressed air.

Description of the Related Art.

[003] Compressed-air energy storage (CAES) is a way to store energy generated at one time for use at another time using compressed air. At utility scale, energy generated during periods of low energy demand (off-peak) may be released to meet higher-demand (peak load) periods. For example, geological storage locations (such as salt mines and other subsurface formations) may be used to store the compressed-air in large quantities. [004] The growth of solar, wind, and other renewable energy resources continues to increase the supply of energy generation, but often such sources are generated at off-peak times, and at locations that may be remote from locations needing the energy. Furthermore, the location of geological storage locations may also inconveniently positioned relative to the location of energy consumption. While electrical grid management combined with CAES helps to ease the constraints of the modern energy market, further efficiencies are needed to make renewable energy sources better available and more economical.

SUMMARY

[005] The present invention involves using existing pipeline systems to store and distribute compressed air for energy distribution, for example without limitation petroleum, gas, water, sewer, and other pipeline systems. Energy generating systems, such as solar and wind farms, power air compressors that inject compressed air into the pipeline system. The pipeline systems are cleaned and retrofitted to operate as compressed air storage facilities. Optionally, the retrofitted pipeline systems may be connected to air storage facilities, for example without limitation, salt caverns or constructed tanks. Turbines at other locations of the pipeline may use the compressed air to generate electricity for distribution at those other locations. Embodiments of the invention provide an alternative energy source in parallel with conventional grid infrastructure.

[006] One embodiment of the invention relates to a method of distributing energy comprising generating compressed air at a first location, providing compressed air to a pipeline at a second location, and distributing the compressed air in the pipeline to a facility at a third location. The distributing may include using a turbine to convert the compressed air into electricity, or alternatively converting the compressed air into motive energy coupled to directly drive equipment for use. The energy generation may use renewable sources. When converting compressed air into electricity, the process may include providing the electricity to either an electric grid or an electricity consumption location. The methods may utilize a retrofitted pipeline, for example without limitation petroleum pipelines, an oil pipeline, a natural gas pipeline, a water pipeline, or a sewer pipeline. The distributing of compressed air may include supplementing the motive force of a wind turbine.

[007] In another embodiment of the invention, a hybrid turbine comprises a body; a compressed air inlet in the body; a turbine shaft rotatably disposed within the body; a combustor; a fuel source; a combustion air exhaust in the body; the body defining an internal airflow path from the inlet to the combustor to the exhaust; a source of compressed air operably associated with the inlet; and a plurality of blades disposed within the airflow path and attached to the shaft, wherein air flow from the compressed air source and air flow from the combustor drive the blades to rotate the shaft.

[008] An additional embodiment of the invention involves a system for capturing and using the heat at compression, distributing the compressed air through a pipeline where the air is further cooled by expansion and provided for refrigeration, air conditioning or other industrial use. The system includes a pipeline system; at least one air compressor system; at least one turbine or air expansion system; and at least one management system to monitor pressures, flowrates, cooling and heating loads in and out of the pipeline system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hybrid gas/compressed air turbine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0012] Figure 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the systems of the present invention.

[0013] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0014] The embodiments disclosed below is/are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings.

[0015] Systems and methods of the present invention utilize existing pipelines such as petroleum pipelines, in some embodiments oil pipelines, in other embodiments gas pipelines, in other embodiments water pipelines, sewer, other types of fluid transport. In these various embodiments, energy produced at one point, for example without limitation, a renewable energy generation plant, for example solar or wind, may be stored by the energy generating devices powering air compressors which inject the generated compressed air into the pipeline system. Then, the compressed air may be utilized at a second location, possibly a great distance from the location of energy production, by a turbine being connected to the pipeline and allowing the compressed air to power a generator to create electricity or drive equipment at the second location, and optionally several additional locations.

[0016] As used in the foregoing disclosure, the term pipeline when used for compressed air transportation, transmission and storage refers to a pipeline initially fabricated for conveying fluid products, for example without limitation, oil, gas, water, sewage, which has been retrofitted for compressed air transportation and storage. The retrofitting necessary involves both cleaning and sizing the pipeline components, then establishing the necessary controls for using air. In terms of cleaning, the interior surfaces of the pipeline are processed to eliminate particulate, colloids, and liquids that might interfere with the transmission of air through the pipeline. For sizing, connections are transitioned to the sizes and shapes more suitable to compressed air system turbines and valves or other connecting equipment (for example without limitation pneumatic systems, air cooling or air heating, etc.). Additionally, the sealing of the conventional fluid pipelines is tested for the pressures needed within the compressed air systems and where needed augmented to handled compressed air rather than oil or natural gas etc. Finally, controllers for monitoring and regulating the pressure and temperature along the pipeline to facilitate the transport and distribution of air within the pipeline, as well as the moisture and chemical composition. Further, in many situations where the outflow of the pipeline is used for turbines, air cooling, and/or pneumatic systems, the output air quality must be monitored and regulated to meet the requirements of the receiving system.

[0017] In some embodiments, a natural gas pipeline system originally configured for distributing natural gas to residential, commercial, and light industrial facilities may be retrofitted to accommodate compressed air. While natural gas pipelines have the closest analog to compressed air systems, retrofitting is necessary for maintaining internal conditions, and the end uses are also modified. For example, a small electrical generation turbine may be coupled with a residential electrical system to provide a residence with electrical power, either as a primary or supplementary source. In another exemplary embodiment, a light industrial facility may use the compressed air source for powering pneumatic systems used at the facility. In a further exemplary embodiment, a commercial facility may use cool compressed air to cool computing equipment used in the facility. A retrofitted natural gas system may then be reused for supplementing the electrical grid or alternatively providing an air source for pressure, cooling, or heating.

[0018] Further embodiments have options that enhance the efficiency and economy of the compressed air energy storage. For example without limitation, wind turbines may directly drive DC generators or solar panels may provide direct current (DC) to DC air compressor drives so that the energy consumed by conversion to alternating current may be avoided. In addition, heat exchange engines, for example without limitation sterling engines, may be coupled to the air compression systems to utilize the heat generated from compression for additional energy capture for power generation or other uses.

[0019] Embodiments of the inventions utilize several forms of capturing energy with compressed air. For example, without limitation, a conventional wind turbine may be coupled to an air compressor so that the wind energy is directly converted to compressed air (either with the turbine directed connected to the input shaft of the air compressor, or through a clutched system allowing for the wind turbine to alternatively drive an electricity generator or an air compressor). Similarly, a hydraulic turbine may be directly or clutch coupled to an air compressor. In such exemplary embodiments, the renewable energy source may directly drive the air compressor. Further embodiments may monitor the efficacy of wind turbines, and when the natural wind makes the wind turbine inefficient, stored compressed air may then be used as an additional motive force for the wind turbines to keep them running at an acceptable efficiency. In further embodiments, the air compressor being driven by the renewable turbine may be connected by piping to a pipeline. This piping may be structurally integrated with the support structure for the wind turbine.

[0020] In further embodiments of the invention, the pipeline may be further connected to a compressed air storage location, for example without limitation an existing geological storage facility, for example without limitation, an abandoned salt mine. In some embodiments of the invention, the air compression at the energy generating source may be coordinated with the connection to a storage location to augment the pipeline’s ability to hold the compressed air.

[0021] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention. Systems and methods of the present invention use Pipeline 100 to accept compressed air from air compressor 110, which may be powered, for example without limitation, by solar farm 120 and/or wind generator 130. Pipeline 100 comprises a plurality of pipeline nodes 140 connected by transit pipes 150, and access for the acceptance and/or discharge of compressed air may occur at a node or alternatively directed into one of the transit pipes. Once compressed air is loaded into pipeline 100, energy may be generated by turbine generator 160 to produce electricity that then may be introduced into electrical grid 170 for further distribution, or directly to electrical consumer 180. In some embodiments, compressed air storage 190, for example without limitation an underground salt mine or a storage tank, may be used to absorb excess compressed air as well as introduce further compressed air into pipeline 100. Other facilities may comprise a node, for example without limitation a light industrial facility with pneumatic systems may utilize the compressed air from one of nodes 140 to power a pneumatic system. Alternatively, another one of nodes 140 may have temperature regulation so that heated or cooled compressed air is provided to a commercial facility for heating or cooling purposes.

[0022] In such a system, compressed air may be used to produce electricity with generator 160, and alternatively be used to move goods through pipeline 100 using vacuum sections and air bearings to greatly accelerate and decelerate items shipped through pipeline 100, potentially both providing extremely fast movement of objects through pipeline 100 and generation of electricity through the interaction with generator 160. In some embodiments, sections of pipeline 100 may be configured to operate similarly to hyperloop using air bearings in pipelines having smaller diameters, allowing for the transport of smaller things, for example without limitation product packages, instead of people in pods, (see https://virginhyperloop.com/)

[0023] Another efficiency achievable through embodiments of the present invention involve the transmission of electricity from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar farms, wind farms, etc.) to electricity consumers which often results in overheating of transmission lines. Such overheating may be mitigated against by locating the transmission lines proximate or inside the compressed air pipelines, allowing the compressed air to dissipate the excess heat and convert that heat into higher pressured air — ultimately increasing the energy stored in the compressed air. [0024] Embodiments of the invention may further enhance conventional energy generation systems. For example without limitation, compressed air may be used to enhance the driving force for gas turbines, in effect a hybrid turbine that utilizes both combustion of natural gas and the motive energy of released compressed air to drive electrical generation, or as a black start for such a turbine. Figure 2 shows hybrid turbine 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. Turbine body 202 combines aspects of a conventional gas turbine generator, air inlet 203, exhaust outlet 204, and combustor 206 that drive blades 208 which are rotationally coupled with turbine shaft 220, with additional blades 210 disposed in air assist portion 212 disposed advance of combustor 206 in the air flow of turbine 200. In operation, compressed air is introduced from compressed air source 214 into inlet 202, driving blades 210 in portion 212 to assist in driving turbine shaft 220. Air flowing through portion 212 then enters combustor 206 and mixes with fuel (e.g., natural gas) from fuel inlet 207 to combust in combustor 206, creating further air flow to drive blades 208, also rotationally couple to turbine shaft 220, and then exit through exhaust 204. Similar designs may be utilized in coal, oil, wood pellet, or other turbine systems.

[0025] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the system of the present invention with wind turbine blades 302 being coupled with air compressors 304, either directly to the wind turbine shaft (not shown) or with a clutch (not shown). Wind turbine pressure piping and support tower 306 has air lines 308 to provide compressed air to heat recovery 310, which then is coupled with pipeline 100’, and/or alternatively to storage 190’. In such a system, control building 312 may include hydraulic or electrical control items, including but not limited to a controller, server, or other computing machinery, in conjunction with sensors disposed in and around the various components of the system, to monitor, operate and control the compressed air and/or heat recovery systems to assist energy usage efficiency and maintain pipeline pressures. Further, storage control building 314 may similarly include hydraulic or electrical control circuits, including but not limited to controllers, servers, or other computing machinery in conjunction with sensors and/or communications with other nodes, to regulate the distribution of compressed air. Tower 306 may be hollow, in which case it may be retrofitted to contain pressurized air and then be able to store compressed air and then pass it to pipeline 100. [0026] In another exemplary embodiment, a local consumer of electricity that also requires cooling, such as a data center or industrial facility may need both electricity for the data storage or industrial devices and heat dissipation for those same devices. Coupling a data center with pipeline 100 to utilize its compressed air may involve both electricity generation by generator 160 and the use of expelled compressed air to cool data storage devices. Compressed air may be released to off-taker directly for industrial use rather than just as an exhaust by-product. Many industrial sites use compressed air for various product processes that benefit receiving a pipeline of compressed air. For example, an ammonia processing plant may use gas compressors to generate compressed air at about 500 pounds per square inch (PSI) in order to make the ammonia, and thus could directly use compressed air instead of using electricity to generate their own. Many existing pipelines traverse directly to and/or through industrial parks that have a need for compressed air. Other industrial parks may desire more local electricity generation to mitigate against grid imbalances adversely impacting operations, thus desiring electric generation power plants close to those parks. Such industrial parks may also desire to use a pipeline’s off-take heat and cool exhaust, electricity and direct compressed air for more extreme coolness or to operate industrial equipment that run on compressed air.

[0027] In some embodiments, a controller with a sensor (such as described with control building 312 or 316) may be used in compressed air storage 190 to monitor the internal pressure within pipeline 100 so that optimal pressure range may be maintained within pipeline 100 for the transmission and conversion of energy with the compressed air. Such a controller may activate an alarm or send notifications as the pressure reached certain levels so that compression and generation equipment may be activated or deactived. Such an arrangement enables management of the energy through “energy arbitration” (i.e. storage of energy during smaller demands for retransmission during peak periods, so that inexpensive electricity may be generated later at points of higher demand). Further, such arrangements may be implemented to maintain minimum and maximum pressures to protect the pipeline and maintain production efficiency. Such a system provides the ability to black start and dispatchable energy generation to augment the above ground electricity grid, or supply emergency power should grid based electricity become unavailable. For enterprises with their own power plant directly fed from the pipeline, the system provides both backup power and black start services (black start meaning being able to begin to generate electricity without having electricity from the grid available). Such enterprises may still maintain a separate interconnect for electricity supply from the grid to be used by the enterprise for energy management similar to energy arbitration for an electric utility.

[0028] While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.