Flow analysis and performance improvement of a radial inflow turbine with back cavity under variable operation condition of compressed air energy storage

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 6396-6408
Author(s):  
Xing Wang ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
Xuehui Zhang ◽  
Yangli Zhu ◽  
Haisheng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Compressed Air Energy Storage ◽  
Operation Condition ◽  
Radial Inflow Turbine ◽  
And Performance

Loss analysis of the shrouded radial-inflow turbine for compressed air energy storage

2020 ◽  
pp. 095765092094784
Author(s):  
Ziyi Shao ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
Aiting Li ◽  
Xing Wang ◽  
Xuehui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Entropy Generation ◽  
Velocity Ratio ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Compressed Air Energy Storage ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Loss Mechanism ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Radial Turbine ◽  
Radial Inflow Turbine

The shrouded radial-inflow turbine is widely employed as a power generation device in the compressed air energy storage (CAES) system. The loss mechanism and off-designed performance of the shrouded radial turbine are lesser known hitherto and should be deeply understood. Loss analyses of a shrouded radial turbine are conducted numerically based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics in the current study. The relationship between losses and the secondary flow has been discussed in detail. A high proportion of loss in the rotor and outblock passage is found under off-designed conditions. The secondary vortex cores and wake are the primary sources of energy dissipation, while the entropy generation mainly appears at the edge of secondary vortices. The suction-surface separation expands as the velocity ratio is decreased, making the high entropy generation scope on the cross-sectional plane wider. Reducing the seal clearance and avoiding the low velocity ratio conditions are quite necessary to reduce losses. It is recommended the outlet passage should be designed longer than the length of rotor axial chord for a uniform outflow.

Preliminary Design and Performance Assessment of an Underwater Compressed Air Energy Storage System for Wind Power Balancing

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Astolfi ◽  
Giulio Guandalini ◽  
Marco Belloli ◽  
Adriano Hirn ◽  
Paolo Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Power Input ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Preliminary Design ◽  
Compressed Air Energy Storage ◽  
Peak Shaving ◽  
Renewable Power ◽  
And Performance

Abstract A key approach to large renewable power management is based on implementing storage technologies, including batteries, power-to-gas, and compressed air energy storage (CAES). This work presents the preliminary design and performance assessment of an innovative type of CAES, based on underwater compressed air energy storage (UW-CAES) volumes and intended for installation in the proximity of deep-water seas or lakes. The UW-CAES works with constant hydrostatic pressure storage and variable volumes. The proposed system is adiabatic, not using any fuel to increase the air temperature before expansion; a sufficient turbine inlet temperature (TIT) is instead obtained through a thermal energy storage (TES) system which recovers the compression heat. The system includes (i) a set of turbomachines (modular multistage compressor, with partial intercooling; expansion turbine); (ii) a TES system with different temperature levels designed to recover a large fraction of the compression heat, allowing the subsequent heating of air prior to the expansion phase; (iii) an underwater modular compressed air storage, conceived as a network of rigid but open tanks lying on the seabed and allowing a variable-volume and constant pressure operation. The compressor operates at variable loads, following an oscillating renewable power input, according to strategies oriented to improve the overall system dispatchability; the expander can be designed to work either at full load, thanks to the stability of the air flowrate and of the TIT guaranteed by the thermal storage, or at variable load. This paper first discusses in detail the sizing and off-design characterization of the overall system; then it simulates a case study where the UW-CAES is coupled to a wind farm for peak shaving and dispatchability enhancement, evaluating the impact of a realistic power input on performances and plant flexibility. Although the assessment shall be considered preliminary, it is shown that round-trip efficiency (RTE) in the range of 75–80% can be obtained depending on the compressor section configuration, making the UW-CAES a promising technology compared to electrochemical and pumped-hydrostorage systems. The technology is also applied to perform peak-shaving of the electricity production from an off-shore wind farm; annual simulations, based on realistic wind data and considering part-load operation, result in global RTE around 75% with a 10–15% reduction in the average unplanned energy injection in the electric grid. The investigated case study provides an example of the potential of this system in providing power output peak shaving when coupled with an intermittent and nonpredictable energy source.

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