Fluid storage in compressed-gas energy storage and recovery systems

Abstract

In various embodiments, lined underground reservoirs and/or insulated pipeline vessels are utilized for storage of compressed fluid in conjunction with energy storage and recovery systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 112 . (canceled) 
     
     
         113 . A method of energy storage utilizing a compressed-gas energy storage system selectively fluidly connected to a lined underground reservoir at least partially surrounded by rock, the method comprising:
 substantially isothermally compressing gas with the energy storage system at a compression temperature;   transferring the compressed gas to the lined underground reservoir for storage; and   thereafter, exchanging heat between the stored compressed gas and the rock at least partially surrounding the lined underground reservoir to change a temperature of the stored gas to a storage temperature different from the compression temperature.   
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113 , further comprising thermally conditioning the compressed gas during transfer to the lined underground reservoir by at least one of (i) spraying droplets of a heat-transfer liquid into the gas or (ii) forming a foam comprising the gas and a heat-transfer liquid. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the storage temperature is lower than the compression temperature. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the storage temperature is higher than the compression temperature. 
     
     
         117 . A compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system comprising:
 a cylinder assembly for at least one of compressing gas to store energy or expanding gas to recover energy;   a heat-exchange subsystem for thermally conditioning the gas during the at least one of compression or expansion via heat exchange between the gas and a heat-transfer liquid;   a lined underground reservoir for storing at least one of compressed gas or heat-transfer fluid in an interior volume thereof, the lined underground reservoir being substantially impermeable to fluid and comprising an inner steel layer surrounded by an outer concrete layer;   a source of heat-transfer fluid fluidly connected to the interior volume of the lined underground reservoir; and   a sink for heat-transfer fluid fluidly connected to the interior volume of the lined underground reservoir.   
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 117 , further comprising:
 disposed within the interior volume of the lined underground reservoir, a nozzle for introducing heat-transfer fluid into the interior volume as a spray of droplets or as a foam;   a first pipe fluidly connecting the cylinder assembly to the interior volume of the lined underground reservoir;   a second pipe fluidly connecting the source of heat-transfer fluid to the nozzle;   a third pipe fluidly connecting an area proximate a bottom portion of the interior volume of the lined underground reservoir and the sink for heat-transfer fluid; and   a pump configured to transfer heat-transfer fluid through the third pipe to the sink for heat-transfer fluid.   
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 117 , wherein the source of heat-transfer fluid and the sink for heat-transfer fluid are the same body of liquid. 
     
     
         120 . A compressed-gas energy storage and recovery system comprising:
 a cylinder assembly for at least one of compressing gas to store energy or expanding gas to recover energy;   a heat-exchange subsystem for thermally conditioning the gas via heat exchange between the gas and a heat-transfer liquid; and   selectively fluidly connected to the cylinder assembly, a lined underground reservoir for at least one of (i) storage of gas after compression, (ii) supply of compressed gas for expansion, (iii) storage of heat-transfer liquid, or (iv) supply of heat-transfer liquid.   
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein the lined underground reservoir comprises a liner at least partially surrounded by at least one of earth, dirt, or gravel. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 121 , wherein the liner comprises at least one of steel or concrete. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 121 , further comprising, disposed on at least one of an inner surface of the liner or an outer surface of the liner, a coating for at least one of sealing the liner to prevent fluid flow therethrough, preventing corrosion or degradation of the liner, or for thermally insulating the liner. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein at least a portion of the lined underground reservoir is disposed below ground level. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein the lined underground reservoir comprises therein a liquid containment region disposed above a bottom surface of the lined underground reservoir. 
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 120 , further comprising, disposed within the lined underground reservoir, at least one of a spray head or nozzle for introducing at least one of heat-transfer liquid or foam. 
     
     
         127 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein the lined underground reservoir comprises a container buried beneath and surrounded by at least one of earth, dirt, or gravel. 
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the container comprises steel. 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 127 , further comprising, disposed between the container and the at least one of earth, dirt, or gravel, at least one of concrete, an insulating material, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. 
     
     
         130 . The system of  claim 129 , wherein the at least one of concrete, an insulating material, fiberglass, or carbon fiber is disposed directly on the container with substantially no gap or air therebetween. 
     
     
         131 . The system of  claim 120 , further comprising, disposed within the lined underground reservoir, a circulation apparatus for pumping liquid disposed proximate a bottom surface of the lined underground reservoir to a point outside of the lined underground reservoir. 
     
     
         132 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the lined underground reservoir comprises therein a liquid containment region disposed above a bottom surface of the lined underground reservoir, and further comprising, disposed within the lined underground reservoir, a second circulation apparatus for pumping liquid disposed in the liquid containment region to a point outside of the lined underground reservoir. 
     
     
         133 . The system of  claim 120 , further comprising, extending from the cylinder assembly to a point within an interior volume of the lined underground reservoir, a pipe for transferring gas between the cylinder assembly and the lined underground reservoir. 
     
     
         134 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein the lined underground reservoir comprises a plurality of discrete containers disposed within a shaft extending below ground level.