Abstract: An adiabatic compressed air energy storage (ACAES) system includes a compressor system, an air storage unit, and a turbine system. The ACAES system further includes a thermal energy storage (TES) system that includes a container, a plurality of heat exchangers, a liquid TES medium conduit system fluidly coupling the container to the plurality of heat exchangers, and a liquid TES medium stored within the container. The TES system also includes a plurality of pumps coupled to the liquid TES medium conduit system and configured to transport the liquid TES medium between the plurality of heat exchangers and the container, and a thermal separation system positioned within the container configured to thermally isolate a first portion of the liquid TES medium at a lower temperature from a second portion of the liquid TES medium at a higher temperature.

Abstract: A system includes a drive shaft, a motor-generator coupled to the drive shaft, a compressor coupled to the drive shaft and configured to output compressed air to a cavern, and a turbine coupled to the drive shaft and configured to receive air from the cavern. The system includes a first thermal energy storage (TES) device, a combustor configured to combust a flammable substance and generate an exhaust stream to the turbine, and controller. The controller is configured to control flow of the air to heat the air as it passes through the first TES, cause the flammable substance to flow to the combustor, operate the combustor to combust the air with the flammable substance to generate an exhaust stream into the turbine, and control the motor-generator to generate electrical energy from energy imparted thereto from the turbine via the drive shaft.

Abstract: An ACAES system operable in a compression mode and an expansion mode of operation is disclosed and includes a compressor system configured to compress air supplied thereto and a turbine system configured to expand compressed air supplied thereto, with the compressor system including a compressor conduit and the turbine system including a turbine conduit. The ACAES system also includes a plurality of thermal energy storage (TES) units positioned on the compressor and turbine conduits and configured to remove thermal energy from compressed air passing through the compressor conduit and return thermal energy to air passing through the turbine conduit. The compressor conduit and the turbine conduit are arranged such that at least a portion of the plurality of TES units operate at a first pressure state during the compression mode of operation and at a second pressure state different from the first pressure state during the expansion mode of operation.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, a combustor configured to receive compressed air from the second compressor to produce an exhaust stream, a first turbine, and a power turbine. The first turbine is configured to receive the exhaust stream, generate a rotational power from the exhaust stream, output the rotational power to a second compressor, and output the exhaust stream. The system includes a coupling device configured to couple and decouple the first compressor to/from a second turbine, an electrical generator coupled to an output of the power turbine and configured to output electrical power, and a controller configured to cause the coupling device to mechanically decouple the second turbine from the first compressor, and cause the coupling device to direct compressed air from an air storage cavern to an inlet of the second compressor.

Abstract: An air compression and expansion system having a combined motor-generator unit and a single drive shaft coupled to compressors and expanders is disclosed. The system includes a motor-generator unit, a drive shaft connected to the motor-generator unit configured to transmit rotational power to and from the motor-generator unit, a compressor system selectively coupleable to the drive shaft and positioned thereabout, and a turbine system selectively coupleable to the drive shaft and positioned thereabout, the turbine system positioned with the compressor system on a common side of the motor-generator unit. The air compression and expansion system also includes a compressor clutch attached to the compressor system and a turbine clutch attached to the turbine system. The compressor clutch and the turbine clutch are arranged coaxially about the drive shaft and configured to selectively couple and decouple the compressor system and the turbine system, respectively, to the drive shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention provides a direct evaporator apparatus for use in an organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system, comprising: (a) a housing comprising a heat source gas inlet, and a heat source gas outlet, said housing defining a heat source gas flow path from said inlet to said outlet; and (b) a heat exchange tube disposed entirely within said heat source flow path, said heat exchange tube being configured to accommodate an organic Rankine cycle working fluid, said heat exchange tube comprising a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet, said heat exchange tube defining three zones, a first zone adjacent to said heat source gas outlet, a second zone adjacent to said heat source gas inlet, and a third zone disposed between said first zone and said second zone, said working fluid inlet being in direct fluid communication with said first zone, and said working fluid outlet being in direct fluid communication with said third zone; wherein said first zone is not in direct fluid commu

Abstract: An ORC system configured to limit temperature of a working fluid below a threshold temperature is provided. The ORC system includes a heat source configured to convey a waste heat fluid. The ORC system also includes a heat exchanger coupled to the heat source. The heat exchanger includes an evaporator configured to receive the waste heat fluid from the heat source and vaporize the working fluid, wherein the evaporator is further configured to allow heat exchange between the waste heat fluid and the vaporized working fluid at an elevated temperature and further produce an evaporator outlet flow including a lower temperature waste heat fluid.

Abstract: An ORC system configured to limit temperature of a working fluid below a threshold temperature is provided. The ORC system includes a heat source configured to provide waste heat fluid. The ORC system also includes a heat exchanger coupled to the heat source, wherein the heat exchanger includes multiple external or internal enhancement features. The external enhancement features are configured to reduce a first heat transfer coefficient between the working fluid and the waste heat fluid from the heat source, external to the heat exchanger. The internal enhancement features are configured to increase a second heat transfer coefficient between the working fluid and the waste heat fluid from a heat source, internal to the heat exchanger.