Abstract: A system for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and CH4 to be desorbed, released and recovered. No high volume of water, no toxic additives to the water and no sand proppants are used for hydro-fracture of the gas shale or coal bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a fuel driven turbine generator, including a system comprising a turbo compressor and turbo expander that produces super chilled air mixed with ambient air to produce relatively cool dry inlet air that can be introduced under pressure into the generator. A separation compartment with a passageway extending normal to the travel direction of the chilled air is used to remove ice particles and particulates from the cool inlet air to avoid damage to the turbine blades. Additional apparatuses such as heat exchangers and steam driven turbine generators and chillers, as well as thermal energy storage systems, are contemplated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and natural gas (CH4) to be desorbed, released and recovered. A special pressure cycling process is used to enable the pressure within the formation to be increased and decreased, including allowing the liquid CO2 to change phase to a gaseous CO2, and injecting the liquid CO2 under pressure repeatedly, which causes greater expansion of the proliferation zone within the formation, and more efficiently releases CH4.

Abstract: The invention uses wind turbine and/or solar energy to enhance the efficiency of an underwater and/or underwater in-soil bed of a compressed air energy storage system. The apparatus comprises a wind turbine and/or a photovoltaic panel to drive an onshore compressor, which provides compressed air energy into an underwater pressure vessel. The buoyant rigid-wall pressure vessel will be located and restrained under water or in-soil underwater. The pressure vessel may be horizontal or in vertical configurations as well as parallel or in perpendicular orientation to the shoreline. The pressure vessel may be constructed of high compression strength reinforced concrete or reinforced fiber plastic material that need not have a high thermal capacitance or high thermal conductivity because the exhaust from the pressure vessel feed a near constant air temperature to the turboexpander on the surface via several long vertical small diameter pipes through the 50 to 70 deg F. water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a crystallization chamber. Also injected into the chamber is a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, and which is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The sizes of the droplets can vary, but are preferably predetermined, along with the relative temperatures, flows and speeds of the spray and chilled air, such that when the droplets are circulated within the chilled air, and settle at the bottom of the chamber, they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mineral recovery system that processes concentrated brine leftover from a desalination system, wherein the brine is introduced into a crystallization chamber in the form of a spray, and wherein by mixing it with super chilled air from the desalination system, the droplets will flash freeze and form a super chilled slurry mixture, wherein an agitator for mixing the super chilled slurry is provided at or near the bottom of the crystallization chamber. Multiple stilling chambers are preferably provided for further separating the water from the concentrated brine, to produce a heavily concentrated sludge containing mineral solids that can be removed from the brine and recovered for commercial purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and CH4 to be desorbed, released and recovered. A special pressure cycling process is used to enable the pressure within the formation to be increased and decreased, including allowing the LCO2 to change phase to a GLO2, and injecting LCO2 under pressure repeatedly, which causes greater expansion of the proliferation zone within the formation, and more efficiently releases CH4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for using solar energy to enhance the efficiency of a compressed air energy storage system (and visa-versa). The apparatus comprises a photovoltaic panel to drive a compressor, which provides compressed air energy into an inner vessel housed within a storage tank. Two solar receiving panels are used to heat water which can be circulated and stored within an annulus surrounding the inner vessel, wherein the heated water can help regulate the temperature of the compressed air within the tank. This way, when air is released using a turbo expander, any excess temperature drops that can otherwise result from air expansion can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and CH4 to be desorbed, released and recovered. No high volume of water, no toxic additives to the water and no sand proppants are used for hydro-fracture of the gas shale or coal bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coordinating and stabilizing the delivery of wind generated power, such as to a power grid, or a facility having pneumatically driven equipment, so as to avoid sudden surges and spikes, despite wind speed fluctuations and oscillations. The method preferably uses a plurality of windmill stations, wherein energy can be used directly, and/or stored for later use when demand is high or wind availability is low. The method contemplates forming an energy delivery schedule, to coordinate the use of energy from storage, based on daily wind speed forecasts, which help to predict the resulting wind power availability levels for the upcoming day. The schedule preferably sets a reduced number of constant power output periods during the day, during which time energy delivery levels remain substantially constant, despite fluctuations and oscillations in wind speed and wind power availability levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a universal system for producing cost effective energy particularly for cooling purposes. In one embodiment, wind turbines are used to generate electricity and compressed air energy, wherein the compressed air energy is used to co-generate electricity and chilled air. The chilled air is then used to chill water in either a mixing chamber, or a desalination system, wherein the chilled water is stored in a separation tank, wherein it can later be used to provide cooling for an air conditioning system for a facility. When desalination is used, the system produces chilled fresh drinking water which can be used for air conditioning, and then used as fresh drinking water. Any exhaust chilled air can be used directly for air conditioning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and transporting energy in the form of compressed air energy via a pipeline shown. The method preferably consists of using at least one power source to drive a compressor to compress air into storage, wherein the pipeline can be adapted to reduce the pressure losses that are experienced along its length, such as by providing first and second segments, wherein the second segment is located further downstream from the first segment, and the first segment's diameter is greater than that of the second segment. Facilities or communities connected to the pipeline can use the energy in the form of electricity, or to drive pneumatic tools or equipment, or to generate chilled air as a by-product, which can be used for refrigeration, air conditioning or desalination. A utility or grid or wind farm or other power source can be used to generate the compressed air energy, such as during low demand periods, such that the energy can be used during high demand periods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for increasing the efficiency of a fuel driven turbine generator, and in particular, a system comprising a turbo compressor and turbo expander device that produces super chilled air that can be mixed with ambient air to produce relatively cool dry inlet air that can be introduced under pressure into the fuel driven generator to increase the efficiency thereof. A separation compartment with a passageway extending normal to the travel direction of the chilled air is preferably used to remove ice particles and particulates from the cool inlet air to avoid damage to the turbine blades. Additional efficiency increasing apparatuses such as heat exchangers and steam driven turbine generators and chillers that use heat from the compressors, as well as thermal energy storage systems that store chilled water produced by releasing compressed air are contemplated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a crystallization chamber. Also injected into the chamber is a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, and which is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The sizes of the droplets can vary, but are preferably predetermined, along with the relative temperatures, flows and speeds of the spray and chilled air, such that when the droplets are circulated within the chilled air, and settle at the bottom of the chamber, they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a chamber, wherein a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The droplets then settle at the bottom of the chamber, wherein they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature, to form an ice/brine slush mixture. A slush removal mechanism with a screw-like helical blade is provided to continuously remove the ice particles from the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and transporting energy in the form of compressed air energy via a pipeline shown. The method preferably consists of using at least one power source to drive a compressor to compress air into storage, wherein the pipeline can be adapted to reduce the pressure losses that are experienced along its length, such as by providing first and second segments, wherein the second segment is located further downstream from the first segment, and the first segment's diameter is greater than that of the second segment. Facilities or communities connected to the pipeline can use the energy in the form of electricity, or to drive pneumatic tools or equipment, or to generate chilled air as a by-product, which can be used for refrigeration, air conditioning or desalination. A utility or grid or wind farm or other power source can be used to generate the compressed air energy, such as during low demand periods, such that the energy can be used during high demand periods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for using solar energy to enhance the efficiency of a compressed air energy storage system (and visa-versa). The apparatus comprises a photovoltaic panel to drive a compressor, which provides compressed air energy into an inner vessel housed within a storage tank. Two solar receiving panels are used to heat water which can be circulated and stored within an annulus surrounding the inner vessel, wherein the heated water can help regulate the temperature of the compressed air within the tank. This way, when air is released using a turbo expander, any excess temperature drops that can otherwise result from air expansion can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing CO2 gas emissions from a coal combustion power plant, comprising a means for physically removing the CO2 gas from the coal, and then using a turbo compressor and turbo expander device to produce super chilled air, which can then be mixed with the CO2 gas to form frozen CO2 crystals which can agglomerate together to form dry ice blocks, wherein the ice blocks can be easily transported and stored, and/or used for commercial purposes (such as for the beverage industry). The heating (compression) and cooling (expansion) processes preferably generate additional energy which can then be used to offset the substantial costs associated with separating the CO2 gas from the coal.

Abstract: The method involves storing and transporting power in the form of compressed air energy, via a pipeline. The method preferably consists of using at least one power source such as a wind turbine to drive a compressor to compress air into storage, wherein the size and length of the pipeline can be adapted to reduce the pressure losses that are experienced along the length of the pipeline. The facility or community using the energy can use energy in the form of electricity, or to drive pneumatic tools or equipment, or to generate chilled air as a by-product, which can be used for refrigeration, air conditioning or desalination. A utility or grid can be provided to generate compressed air energy when the wind is not blowing, wherein compressed air energy can be produced and stored during low demand periods, and used during high demand periods.