Abstract: A method for energy storage and recovery is based on the liquid air energy storage (LAES) operated at the pressure relationship such that the pressure of discharge air is greater than the charge air to provide a high round-trip efficiency. External cold source and cold thermal energy storage are used in a LAES to achieve a decrease in the LAES capital costs. A demand for a supplemental cold energy provided by external sources may be minimized. These features alone or in combination may result in reduced power demand required for cooling.

Abstract: Liquid air energy storage (LAES) systems with increased efficiency and operating profit obtained through rational selection and configuration of the equipment used and optimization of the configuration/parameters of such equipment. In various embodiments, the LAES system is intended for operation preferably in an environmentally-friendly stand-alone regime with recovery of hot thermal energy extracted from compressed charging air and cold thermal energy extracted from discharged air.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: In a startup period for a solar thermal electricity generating system, a non-solar source of steam heats a downstream receiver (for example, a superheating receiver) prior to insolation being available. Insolation, once available, heats an upstream receiver (for example, an evaporator). The upstream receiver can be arranged in a recirculation loop with a steam separation drum, which may be bypassed during the initial heating of the upstream receiver by insolation. Once sufficient temperature and pressure have been reached, steam from the upstream receiver is directed to the downstream receiver by way of the steam separation drum to replace the non-solar source of steam. Heating of the downstream receiver using steam from the upstream receiver continues until a threshold temperature and pressure are reached. Insolation is then directed at both the upstream and downstream receivers to generate steam for electricity production by a turbine.

Abstract: A method for energy storage and recovery is based on the liquid air energy storage (LAES) operated at the pressure relationship such that the pressure of discharge air is greater than the charge air to provide a high round-trip efficiency. External cold source and cold thermal energy storage are used in a LAES to achieve a decrease in the LAES capital costs. A demand for a supplemental cold energy provided by external sources may be minimized. These features alone or in combination may result in reduced power demand required for cooling.

Abstract: Thermal energy can be stored in a fluid-based thermal storage system for later use. The stored thermal energy may be derived from steam generated using insolation in a steam-based solar power system. The thermal storage system can store energy when insolation is generally available. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal energy may be derived from electricity from the electrical grid. For example, the thermal energy can store energy when the electrical grid has excess electricity available for storage. At a later time, the energy stored in the thermal storage system can be released to heat pressurized water or steam in addition to or in place of steam generated by the insolation. For example, the stored thermal energy may be used in preheating the solar power system during startup, in supplementing steam output of the solar power system, or to replace steam generation during low insolation periods.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for liquid air energy storage in conjunction with power generating cycles. A system can comprise a power generation apparatus and an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus can comprise a thermal energy storage unit, and the power generation apparatus and energy storage apparatus can be interconnected via the thermal energy storage unit enabling energy transfer from a first cycle of one of the power generation apparatus and energy storage apparatus to a second cycle of the other apparatus.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: A first period may be characterized by relatively high insolation, while a second period may be characterized by relatively low insolation. At the first period, steam is generated using insolation. A portion of the steam produces electricity, while a second portion of the steam is directed to a heat exchanger in thermal communication with thermal reservoirs. A storage fluid is flowed through the heat exchanger from a first reservoir to a second reservoir and/or from the second reservoir to a third reservoir such that enthalpy in the steam second portion is transferred to the storage fluid. At a second period, the storage fluid is reverse-flowed through the heat exchanger from the third to the second reservoir and/or from the second to the first reservoir such that enthalpy in the storage fluid generates steam to produce electricity. Enthalpy during high insolation periods can thus be stored for use during low insolation periods.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: Insolation can be used to heat a solar fluid for use in generating electricity. During periods of relatively higher insolation, excess enthalpy in a superheated solar fluid can be stored in a thermal storage system for subsequent use during periods of relatively lower insolation or at times when supplemental electricity generation is necessary. Enthalpy from superheated solar fluid can be transferred to the thermal storage system so as to heat a storage medium therein, but the enthalpy transfer can be limited such that the superheated solar fluid does not condense or only partially condenses. The remaining enthalpy in the de-superheated solar fluid can be used for other applications, such as, but not limited to, preheating the solar fluid for an evaporating solar receiver, supplementing the input to a superheating solar receiver, industrial applications, resource extraction, and/or fuel production.

Abstract: A method for generating steam for a turbine electric power plant uses solar radiation. Solar radiation is directed onto a solar receiver. The solar receiver includes a first section, which receives feedwater input and is arranged to heat the feedwater input to generate steam using the directed solar radiation. Feedwater flows through a feedwater vessel to serve as feedwater input to an inlet of the first section of the receiver. Water is separated from the steam in steam separation vessel, which is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first section of the receiver. The feedwater input may be selectively preheated by a source of preheat other than solar energy in response to system operating conditions, predicted insolation schedule, or an electrical energy tariff schedule.

Abstract: In a startup period for a solar thermal electricity generating system, a non-solar source of steam heats a downstream receiver (for example, a superheating receiver) prior to insolation being available. Insolation, once available, heats an upstream receiver (for example, an evaporator). The upstream receiver can be arranged in a recirculation loop with a steam separation drum, which may be bypassed during the initial heating of the upstream receiver by insolation. Once sufficient temperature and pressure have been reached, steam from the upstream receiver is directed to the downstream receiver by way of the steam separation drum to replace the non-solar source of steam. Heating of the downstream receiver using steam from the upstream receiver continues until a threshold temperature and pressure are reached. Insolation is then directed at both the upstream and downstream receivers to generate steam for electricity production by a turbine.

Abstract: Thermal energy can be stored in a fluid-based thermal storage system for later use. The stored thermal energy may be derived from steam generated using insolation in a steam-based solar power system. The thermal storage system can store energy when insolation is generally available. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal energy may be derived from electricity from the electrical grid. For example, the thermal energy can store energy when the electrical grid has excess electricity available for storage. At a later time, the energy stored in the thermal storage system can be released to heat pressurized water or steam in addition to or in place of steam generated by the insolation. For example, the stored thermal energy may be used in preheating the solar power system during startup, in supplementing steam output of the solar power system, or to replace steam generation during low insolation periods.

Abstract: A method for generating steam for a turbine electric power plant uses solar radiation. Solar radiation is directed onto a solar receiver. The solar receiver includes a first section, which receives feedwater input and is arranged to heat the feedwater input to generate steam using the directed solar radiation. Feedwater flows through a feedwater vessel to serve as feedwater input to an inlet of the first section of the receiver. Water is separated from the steam in steam separation vessel, which is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first section of the receiver. The feedwater input may be selectively preheated by a source of preheat other than solar energy in response to system operating conditions, predicted insolation schedule, or an electrical energy tariff schedule.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid sorbent composition for removal of carbon dioxide and other acidic components from a gaseous stream, said composition being a product of a reaction of a mixture of at least one liquid absorbent material selected from the group consisting of amino alcohols and amino alcohols in combination with a sodium carbonate, a sodium bicarbonate, a potassium carbonate, a potassium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof, with at least one hardener selected from the group consisting of at least one metal oxide, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, alkaline earth metal oxides and mixtures thereof, said absorbent being capable of absorbing carbon dioxide and other acidic components and said reaction product being formed by heating the above mixture to effect a chemical reaction between the components of the above mixture with formation of a reaction product wherein said liquid absorbent material and said hardener combine upon heating to form said soli