THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS INCLUDING PRESSURE EXCHANGERS
A system includes a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to receive a first fluid at a first pressure and a second fluid at a second pressure and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid. The system further includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The system further includes a compressor. The system further includes an electrical energy generation device. The system further includes a first valve. The system further includes a processing device operatively coupled to the first valve. The processing device is configured to provide a control signal to the first valve to cause the system to be operated in a first mode or a second mode.
1 . A system comprising:
a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to receive a first fluid, receive a second fluid, and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid;
a first heat exchanger configured to provide the first fluid to the PX;
a second heat exchanger configured to receive the first fluid from the PX;
a compressor configured to compress at least a portion of the first fluid output by the second heat exchanger;
an electrical energy generation device, configured to convert energy of the first fluid output by the first heat exchanger to electrical energy;
a first valve; and
a processing device, operatively coupled to the first valve, wherein the processing device is configured to:
responsive to determining that the system is to be operated in a first mode, cause the first valve to provide fluid flow to the PX, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the compressor; and
responsive to determining that the system is to be operated in a second mode, cause the first valve to provide fluid flow to the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the electrical energy generation device.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal energy storage medium that is in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the thermal energy storage medium comprises one or more of:
molten salt;
sand;
natural or artificial rock;
silicon;
aluminum;
a phase change material; or
a eutectic material.
4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising;
a first reservoir comprising a first portion of the thermal energy storage medium at a first temperature;
a second reservoir comprising a second portion of the thermal energy storage medium at a second temperature that is less than the first temperature; and
a transfer system configured to transfer the second portion of the thermal energy storage medium from the second reservoir to the first reservoir, wherein the thermal energy storage medium is in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger while the second portion of the thermal energy storage medium is being transferred via the transfer system.
5 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising:
a reservoir comprising the thermal energy storage medium;
a fluid transfer system comprising a third fluid, wherein the fluid transfer system is configured to transfer heat between the first heat exchanger and the reservoir via the third fluid.
6 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the thermal energy storage medium comprises one or more of:
carbon dioxide;
water; or
a phase change material.
7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising:
a first reservoir comprising a first portion of the thermal energy storage medium at a first temperature;
a second reservoir comprising a second portion of the thermal energy storage medium at a second temperature that is less than the first temperature; and
a transfer system configured to transfer the first portion of the thermal energy storage medium from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, wherein the thermal energy storage medium is in thermal communication with the second heat exchanger while the first portion of the thermal energy storage medium is being transferred via the transfer system.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the system in the first mode is to operate as a heat pump; and
the system in the second mode is to operate as a heat engine.
9 . A system comprising:
a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to receive a first fluid, receive a second fluid, and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid;
a heat exchanger configured to receive the first fluid from the PX, and to exchange heat between the first fluid and a third fluid;
a thermal storage medium in thermal communication with the third fluid;
a cooling coil, configured to exchange thermal energy between the third fluid and an environment proximate the cooling coil; and
a pump configured to circulate the third fluid between the thermal storage medium, the cooling coil, and the heat exchanger.
10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a gas cooler that is in thermal communication with the first fluid, wherein the system is configured to transfer heat from the thermal storage medium to an environment proximate the gas cooler while operated in a first mode.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the thermal storage medium comprises a reservoir of water.
12 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the system is configured to selectively operate the system in a first mode, comprising operation of the PX, or a second mode, comprising operation of the cooling coil, based on data generated by the temperature sensor.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein operation in the first mode comprises actuation of a valve to provide flow of the third fluid to bypass the cooling coil.
14 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a temperature modulating valve, wherein operation in a second mode comprises actuation of the temperature modulating valve to determine a first portion of the third fluid that exchanges thermal energy with the thermal storage medium.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein operation of the system in a first mode comprises a charge cycle that reduces a temperature of the thermal storage medium, and wherein operation of the system in a second mode comprises a discharge cycle that transfers heat from the environment proximate the cooling coil to the thermal storage medium.
16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the third fluid comprises a water-glycol mixture.
17 . A system comprising;
a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to receive a first fluid, receive a second fluid, and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid;
a first heat exchanger configured to provide the first fluid to the PX, wherein the first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with a thermal storage medium;
a second heat exchanger configured to receive the first fluid from the PX, wherein the second heat exchanger is in thermal communication with a heat source;
a heat sink in thermal communication with the thermal storage medium; and
a processing device, configured to provide a control signal causing the system to operate in a first mode or a second mode.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein operation in the first mode comprises a charge cycle that transfers heat from the heat source to the thermal storage medium, and operation in the second mode comprise a discharge cycle that transfers heat from the thermal storage medium to the heat sink.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the thermal storage medium comprises a phase change thermal storage medium.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the operation in the second mode comprises circulating a heat transfer fluid to transfer heat from the thermal storage medium to the heat sink.