Evaluation of the use of reciprocating engines in compressed air energy storage plants
The application of reciprocating engines to compressed air energy storage (CAES) plants is presented. The expected advantages compared to plants using turbines and compressors are reduced reservoir size and cost, reduced compression energy, and increased overall plant efficiency. The performance of possible engine and plant configurations is presented. One configuration uses a reversible, reciprocating expander/compressor engine. Power generation results from engine operation as an internal-combustion expander; compression is accomplished using the same engine operating as a reciprocating compressor. Another possible configuration results when an internal-combustion engine is used as a high-pressure expander and a gas turbine is used as a low-pressure expander. Compression is accomplished using either separate turbocompressors or operating the high-pressure expander as a reversible-reciprocating compressor in series with a low-pressure turbocompressor. Capital and operating costs of plants using reciprocating engines are estimated and compared with that of turbine-based CAES plant designs. It is shown that using reciprocating engines can reduce capital and operating costs by about 11 and 8%, respectively, compared to a plant using available turbomachinery.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6525658
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-781046-2
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1. information exchange conference, Luray, VA, USA, 24 Oct 1978
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
EVALUATION
COMPRESSED AIR STORAGE POWER PLANTS
PERFORMANCE
DIESEL ENGINES
ECONOMICS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
PEAKING POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
250200* - Energy Storage- Compressed & Liquified Gas