JP2017008887A - Compressed air storage power generation device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compressed air storage power generation device enabling smooth warm-up operation with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A compressed air storage power generation 2 device includes: a lubricant tank 28a configured to store lubricant supplied only to a compressor 3, among a plurality of compressors 3-5, in warming-up operation; a lubricant heater 32 configured to heat lubricant in the lubricant tank; a third heat exchange unit 46 configured to perform heat exchange between a heat medium, for which a first heat exchange unit 12 has performed heat exchange to thereby increase the temperature of the heat medium, and lubricant, and heat the lubricant; and a lubricant temperature sensor 34a configured to detect the temperature of lubricant for which the third heat exchange unit 46 has performed heat exchange to thereby increase the temperature of the lubricant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a compressed air storage power generation apparatus and a compressed air storage power generation method.

  Since power generation using renewable energy such as wind power generation and solar power generation depends on weather conditions, the output may not be stable. For this reason, it is necessary to level the output using an energy storage system such as a compressed air energy storage (CAES) power generation system.

  Conventional compressed air storage power generators store electrical energy in the accumulator tank as compressed air during off-peak hours of the power plant, operate the generator by driving the expander with compressed air during high power demand time, and Is generally generated.

  Patent Document 1 discloses such a CAES power generator. In order to improve the efficiency of the system, the CAES power generator of Patent Document 1 uses a heat exchanger to exchange heat between the heat medium and air, collects the compression heat generated by the compressor into the heat medium, Heat is returned to the air before it expands.

Special table 2013-509530 gazette

  In particular, in a low temperature environment, the viscosity of the lubricating oil or heat medium may increase at the start of operation, which increases the power of the pump and decreases the reliability of the apparatus. In the CAES power generation device of Patent Document 1, such a problem is not considered for smooth warm-up operation with a simple configuration.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a compressed air storage power generator that can perform a smooth warm-up operation with a simple configuration.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric motor driven by fluctuating input electric power, a plurality of compressors mechanically connected to the electric motor to compress air, and fluidly connected to the compressor, A pressure accumulating tank for storing compressed air compressed by a compressor; a plurality of expanders fluidly connected to the pressure accumulating tank and driven by compressed air supplied from the pressure accumulating tank; and the expander and the mechanical Heat exchange between the generator connected to the air, the air compressed by the compressor and the heat medium, the first heat exchange part for heating the heat medium, and fluidly connected to the first heat exchange part, A high-temperature heat medium tank for storing a heat medium heated by exchanging heat in the first heat exchange unit, fluidly connected to the high-temperature heat medium tank, and a heat medium supplied from the high-temperature heat medium tank; Heat exchange with the compressed air supplied to the expander A second heat exchange section for heating, a low-temperature heat medium tank that is fluidly connected to the second heat exchange section and stores a heat medium that has been cooled and cooled by the second heat exchange section; During operation, a lubricating oil tank for storing lubricating oil supplied to the compressors that are not all of the plurality of compressors, and lubrication for heating the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank An oil heater, a heat medium heated by the first heat exchanging unit and heated, a third heat exchanging unit for exchanging heat with the lubricating oil and heating the lubricating oil, and a heat for the third heat exchanging unit Provided is a compressed air storage power generation apparatus including a lubricating oil temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the lubricating oil heated by replacement.

  In a low temperature environment, when the temperature of the lubricating oil decreases to increase the viscosity, heating the lubricating oil can increase the temperature, decrease the viscosity, and improve fluidity. In this case, if all of the lubricating oil used in the apparatus is heated by the lubricating oil heater, a large amount of lubricating oil needs to be heated, so that a large amount of power is consumed. Further, if it is attempted to finish warming up in a short time, a large capacity or a large amount of lubricating oil heater is required, resulting in an increase in cost. However, according to this configuration, the minimum number of compressors are warmed up by the minimum heating of the lubricating oil. Furthermore, by using the compression heat generated by the production of compressed air at this time for the warm-up operation of other compressors and expanders, the power consumption required for warm-up can be reduced, and smooth warm-up can be achieved with a simple configuration. Machine operation is possible. In addition, the number of lubricating oil heaters can be reduced, leading to cost reduction and improved device reliability.

  A warming-up heat medium tank that stores a small-capacity heat medium in the high-temperature heat medium tank and the low-temperature heat medium tank, and warm-up heat for heating the heat medium in the warm-up heat medium tank It is preferable to further include a medium heater.

  As in the case of the lubricating oil, the heat medium also increases in viscosity due to a decrease in temperature. When all the warming-up heat mediums used in the apparatus are heated by the warming-up heat medium heater, a large amount of power is consumed because a large amount of the warming-up heat medium needs to be heated. Further, if it is attempted to end the warm-up in a short time, a large-capacity or a large number of warm-up heat medium heaters are required, resulting in an increase in cost. However, by providing a small warming-up heat medium tank, the necessary minimum warming-up heat medium can be heated, so that the power consumption of the warming-up heat medium heater can be reduced. Alternatively, the number of heating medium heaters for warm-up can be reduced, leading to cost reduction and improved device reliability. Here, the warm-up heat medium is a heat medium that flows in the apparatus during the warm-up operation, and may be the same as or different from the heat medium that flows in the apparatus during the normal operation.

  A heat medium bypasses the high-temperature heat medium tank and flows from the first heat exchange part to the second heat exchange part, either the first bypass flow path or the high-temperature heat medium tank It is preferable to further comprise first bypass switching means for switching whether the heat medium is supplied.

  By providing the first bypass flow path, the warming-up heat medium during the warm-up operation is not mixed with the heat medium whose temperature is lowered in the high-temperature heat medium tank. Therefore, the temperature of the warming-up heat medium can be maintained, and the lubricating oil can be heated more greatly by the warming-up heat medium in the third heat exchange unit.

  The third heat exchange unit includes a compression side heat exchanger that heats the lubricating oil supplied to the compressor, and an expansion side heat exchanger that heats the lubricating oil supplied to the expander. Is preferred.

  Since the heat exchanger is provided for each of the compression side and the expansion side, the lubricating oil used only on the compression side or only on the expansion side can be heated independently. In the compressed air storage power generation device, compression and expansion may not be performed at the same time, that is, only the compressor or only the expander may operate. In such a case, it is effective that the lubricating oil can be heated independently for each of the compression side and the expansion side.

  A heat medium bypasses the low-temperature heat medium tank and flows from the second heat exchange part to the first heat exchange part, either the second bypass flow path or the low-temperature heat medium tank. It is preferable to further include a second bypass switching unit that switches whether the heat medium is supplied.

  By providing the second bypass flow path, the warming-up heat medium during the warm-up operation is not mixed with the heat medium whose temperature is lowered in the low-temperature heat medium tank. Therefore, the temperature of the warm-up heat medium can be maintained, and the power consumption of the warm-up heat medium heater in the warm-up heat medium tank can be reduced.

The second aspect of the present invention generates power by compressing air with a plurality of compressors driven by varying input power, storing the compressed air, and expanding the stored compressed air.
The compression heat generated in the compression step is recovered, the recovered compression heat is stored, the compressed air that is expanded before the expansion step is heated by the stored compression heat, and a plurality of the compressors are heated during warm-up operation. Among them, heated lubricating oil is supplied to the compressors that are not the total number, the lubricating oil is heated by the recovered compression heat, and the temperature of the lubricating oil heated by the recovered compression heat is detected. A compressed air storage power generation method is provided.

  According to the present invention, a minimum number of compressors are warmed up by heating a minimum amount of lubricating oil, and the compression heat generated by the production of compressed air is used for the warm-up operation of other compressors and expanders. Thus, it is possible to provide a compressed air storage power generator that can perform a smooth warm-up operation with a simple configuration.

The schematic block diagram of the compressed air storage power generator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The schematic block diagram of the conventional compressed air storage power generation apparatus. The whole control flow of the compressed air storage power generator concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The control flow which shows the process A of the compressed air storage power generator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The control flow which shows the process B of the compressed air storage power generator which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a compressed air energy storage (CAES) power generator 2. When generating electricity using renewable energy, the CAES power generator 2 of the present embodiment smoothes output fluctuations to an external power system (not shown) and outputs electric power in accordance with fluctuations in demand power.

  First, the configuration of the CAES power generator 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CAES power generation device 2 includes an air flow path and a heat medium flow path. The air flow path is mainly provided with compressors 3 to 5, a pressure accumulating tank 6, and expanders 7 to 9, which are fluidly connected by air pipes 10a and 10b. Air is flowing (see broken line in FIG. 1). The heat medium flow path is mainly provided with a first heat exchange unit 12, a high temperature heat medium tank 14, a second heat exchange unit 16, and a low temperature heat medium tank 18, and these are the heat medium pipes 20. And the heat medium flows through the inside (see the solid line in FIG. 1).

  First, the air flow path will be described with reference to FIG. In the air flow path, the sucked air is compressed by the compressors 3 to 5 and stored in the pressure accumulation tank 6. The compressed air stored in the pressure accumulating tank 6 is supplied to the expanders 7 to 9 and used for power generation by the generators 22a to 22c.

  The compressors 3 to 5 include motors (electric motors) 24a to 24c. The motors 24a to 24c are mechanically connected to the compressors 3 to 5. Electric power (input electric power) generated by renewable energy at a power plant (not shown) is supplied to the motors 24a to 24c, and the motors 24a to 24c are driven by this electric power to operate the compressors 3 to 5. The discharge ports 3b to 5b of the compressors 3 to 5 are fluidly connected to the pressure accumulation tank 6 through the air pipe 10a. When the compressors 3 to 5 are driven by the motors 24 a to 24 c, the compressor 3 sucks air from the suction ports 3 a to 5 a, compresses the compressed air, and discharges the compressed air from the discharge ports 3 b to 5 b.

  A valve 26 a is provided in the air pipe 10 a extending from the compressors 3 to 5 to the pressure accumulation tank 6. By opening and closing the valve 26a, the supply of compressed air from the compressors 3 to 5 to the accumulator tank 6 can be allowed or blocked.

  The pressure accumulation tank 6 stores the compressed air fed from the compressors 3 to 5. Therefore, energy can be stored in the pressure accumulation tank 6 as compressed air. The pressure accumulation tank 6 is fluidly connected to the expanders 7 to 9 through the air pipe 10a. Therefore, the compressed air stored in the pressure accumulation tank 6 is supplied to the expanders 7 to 9. The storage pressure and storage capacity of the compressed air are determined by the amount of electric power stored in the storage tank 6. However, since the capacity is generally large, in this case, it is difficult to insulate the outside air from the viewpoint of cost. Therefore, the storage temperature of the compressed air in the pressure accumulating tank 6 is set to be the same as or slightly higher or lower than the atmospheric temperature in order to avoid heat loss due to atmospheric discharge. The pressure accumulation tank 6 is provided with a pressure sensor 6a. Therefore, the pressure of the compressed air in the pressure accumulation tank 6 can be detected.

  A valve 26b is provided in the air pipe 10a extending from the pressure accumulation tank 6 to the expanders 7 to 9. By opening and closing the valve 26b, the supply of compressed air from the pressure accumulation tank 6 to the expanders 7 to 9 can be allowed or blocked.

  The expanders 7 to 9 include generators 22a to 22c. The generators 22a to 22c are mechanically connected to the expanders 7 to 9. The expanders 7 to 9 supplied with compressed air from the air supply ports 7a to 9a through the air pipe 10b are operated by the supplied compressed air and drive the generators 22a to 22c. The generators 22a to 22c are electrically connected to an external power system (not shown), and the generated power is supplied to the power system. Moreover, the air expanded by the expanders 7-9 is exhausted from the exhaust ports 7b-9b.

  The compressors 3 to 5 and the expanders 7 to 9 of the present embodiment are oil-free screw types, but the type is not limited and may not be oil-free types. Formula, turbo type, and reciprocating type may be used. In the present embodiment, the number of the compressors 3 to 5 and the expanders 7 to 9 are both three, but the number is not particularly limited and may be two or more.

  The flow rate of air supplied to the compressors 3 to 5 and the expanders 7 to 9 is measured by a flow rate sensor (not shown). Therefore, the operating state of the CAES power generator 2 can be changed based on these flow rates.

  The CAES power generator 2 of the present embodiment includes lubricating oil tanks 28a to 28c. In the present embodiment, three lubricating oil tanks 28a to 28c are provided. The individual lubricating oil tanks 28a to 28c are fluidly connected to the compressors 3 to 5 or the expanders 7 to 9 through the lubricating oil pipes 30a to 30c (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1).

  The first lubricating oil tank 28a stores lubricating oil to be supplied to bearings and gears (not shown) of the specific compressor 3, and is fluidly connected to the compressor 3 through a lubricating oil pipe 30a. The lubricating oil tank 28a is provided with a lubricating oil heater 32 for heating the internal lubricating oil. Lubricating oil heater 32 operates by being supplied with electric power from a power storage device that operates even in a low temperature environment such as an external electric power or a capacitor (not shown). The second lubricating oil tank 28b stores lubricating oil supplied to bearings and gears (not shown) of the other compressors 4 and 5, and is fluidly connected to the compressors 4 and 5 through the lubricating oil pipe 30b. Has been. The third lubricating oil tank 28c stores lubricating oil to be supplied to bearings and gears (not shown) of the expanders 7 to 9, and is fluidly connected to the expanders 7 to 9 through the lubricating oil pipe 30c. Yes. Lubricating oil temperature sensors 34a to 34c are provided in the individual lubricating oil tanks 28a to 28c. Therefore, the temperature of the lubricating oil inside each can be detected. In addition, pumps 36a to 36c are provided in the individual lubricating oil pipes 30a to 30c. Accordingly, the lubricating oil can be flowed by the pumps 36a to 36c.

  Next, the heat medium flow path will be described with reference to FIG. In the heat medium flow path, the heat generated by the compressors 3 to 5 in the first heat exchange unit 12 is recovered in the heat medium, the heat recovered heat medium is stored in the high temperature heat medium tank 14, and the second heat exchange unit 16. The heat is returned to the compressed air before being expanded by the expanders 7 to 9. The heat medium having undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchanging unit 16 and being cooled down is supplied to the low temperature heat medium tank 18. Then, the heat medium is supplied again from the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 to the first heat exchange unit 12, and the heat medium is circulated. The type of the heat medium is not particularly limited, and for example, a mineral oil or glycol heat medium may be used.

  The first heat exchange unit 12 includes three first heat exchangers 12a to 12c. The individual first heat exchangers 12a to 12c are provided in an air pipe 10a extending from the compressors 3 to 5 to the pressure accumulating tank 6 in the air flow path, and the low temperature heat medium tank 18 to the high temperature heat medium tank 14 in the heat medium flow path. It is provided in the heat medium pipe 20 extending in the direction. Therefore, heat is exchanged between the compressed air supplied from the accumulator tank 6 and the heat medium supplied from the low-temperature heat medium tank 18, and the compression heat generated by the compression by the compressors 3 to 5 is recovered in the heat medium. ing. That is, in the 1st heat exchange part 12, the temperature of compressed air falls and the temperature of a heat medium rises. Each of the first heat exchangers 12a to 12c is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown), and can detect the temperature of the heat exchanged heat medium. Thereby, the heat-medium temperature to store can be grasped | ascertained correctly, and the driving | running state of the CAES power generator 2 can be controlled based on measured temperature. The heating medium whose temperature has been increased here is supplied to the high-temperature heating medium tank 14 through the heating medium pipe 20.

  Valves 26c to 26f are provided in the heat medium pipe 20 connected to the individual first heat exchangers 12a to 12c. Therefore, the supply of the heat medium to each of the first heat exchangers 12a to 12c can be permitted or blocked by opening and closing the valves 26c to 26f.

  The high-temperature heat medium tank 14 is a steel tank whose periphery is covered with a heat insulating material insulated from the atmosphere. The high-temperature heat medium tank 14 stores the heat medium heated by the first heat exchange unit 12. The heat medium stored in the high-temperature heat medium tank 14 is supplied to the second heat exchange unit 16 through the heat medium pipe 20. The high-temperature heat medium tank 14 is provided with a heat medium temperature sensor 14a. Therefore, the temperature of the internal heating medium can be detected.

  The CAES power generator 2 of the present embodiment includes a first bypass flow path 38 that bypasses the high-temperature heat medium tank 14. The first bypass flow path 38 branches from the heat medium flow path upstream of the high temperature heat medium tank 14 and merges with the heat medium flow path downstream of the high temperature heat medium tank 14. Valves (first bypass switching means) 40a to 40c are provided in the first bypass flow path 38 and the heat medium pipes 20 upstream and downstream of the high-temperature heat medium tank 14, respectively. Can be allowed or blocked. Specifically, by closing the valve 40a and opening the valves 40b and 40c, the heat medium can be supplied to the high-temperature heat medium tank 14 without the heat medium flowing through the first bypass passage 38. Further, by closing the valves 40 b and 40 c and opening the valve 40 a, the heat medium flows through the first bypass flow path 38 without supplying the heat medium to the high-temperature heat medium tank 14. The heat medium that has flowed through the first bypass flow path 38 is supplied to the second heat exchange unit 16 through the heat medium pipe 20.

  Valves 26 g and 26 h are provided in the heat medium pipe 20 extending from the high-temperature heat medium tank 14 and the first bypass flow path 38 to the second heat exchange unit 16. By opening and closing the valves 26g and 26h, the supply of the heat medium to the individual second heat exchangers 16a to 16c of the second heat exchange unit 16 can be allowed or blocked.

  The second heat exchange unit 16 includes three second heat exchangers 16a to 16c. The individual second heat exchangers 16a to 16c are provided in an air pipe 10b extending from the pressure accumulation tank 6 to the expanders 7 to 9 in the air flow path, and the high temperature heat medium tank 14 to the low temperature heat medium tank 18 in the heat medium flow path. It is provided in the heat medium pipe 20 extending to the front. Therefore, heat is exchanged between the compressed air supplied from the accumulator tank 6 and the heat medium supplied from the high-temperature heat medium tank 14, and the compressed air is heated before expansion by the expanders 7-9. That is, in the 2nd heat exchange part 16, the temperature of compressed air rises and the temperature of a heat medium falls. The heat medium cooled by the second heat exchange unit 16 is supplied to the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 through the heat medium pipe 20.

  The low-temperature heat medium tank 18 stores the heat medium that has been cooled by the heat exchange performed by the second heat exchange unit 16. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium in the low temperature heat medium tank 18 is usually lower than that of the heat medium in the high temperature heat medium tank 14. The low temperature heat medium tank 18 is provided with a heat medium temperature sensor 18a. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium inside the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 can be detected. The heat medium stored in the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 is supplied to the warm-up heat medium tank 42 through the heat medium pipe 20.

  The heating medium pipe 20 extending from the low temperature heating medium tank 18 to the first heat exchange unit 12 is provided with a heating medium tank 42 for warming up. The warm-up heat medium tank 42 of this embodiment is smaller than the high-temperature heat medium tank 14 and the low-temperature heat medium tank 18, and stores a minimum amount of the warm-up heat medium necessary for warm-up operation. The warm-up heat medium tank 42 is provided with a warm-up heat medium heater 44. Accordingly, the internal heating medium can be heated. The warm-up heat medium tank 42 is provided with a heat medium temperature sensor 42a. Therefore, the temperature of the warming-up heat medium inside the warming-up heat medium tank 42 can be detected. In the present embodiment, the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 and the warm-up heat medium tank 42 are connected in series, but are not limited thereto, and may be connected in parallel.

  The heating medium for warming up is a heating medium that flows in the apparatus during the warming-up operation, and may be the same as or different from the heating medium that flows in the heating medium pipe 20 of the CAES power generator 2 during normal operation. It may be.

  From the heat medium pipe 20 extending from the second heat exchange section 16 to the low-temperature heat medium tank 18, a warm-up heat medium pipe 48 (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1) is branched. The warm-up heat medium pipe 48 is a pipe through which the heat medium flows during the warm-up operation, and a third heat exchange unit 46 is provided in the flow path.

  Valves 50 a to 50 c are provided in the heat medium pipe 20 and the warm-up heat medium pipe 48 extending from the second heat exchange unit 16. Therefore, the supply destination of the heat medium from the second heat exchange unit 16 can be switched between the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 and the third heat exchange unit 46 by opening and closing the valves 50a to 50c.

  The third heat exchanging unit 46 includes a compression side heat exchanger 46a and an expansion side heat exchanger 46b.

  The compression-side heat exchanger 46a is provided between the warm-up heat medium pipe 48 and the lubricating oil pipe 30b, and exchanges heat between the warm-up heat medium and the lubricating oil supplied to the compressors 4 and 5. And heat the lubricating oil. That is, in the compression side heat exchanger 46a, the temperature of the lubricating oil rises and the temperature of the warming-up heat medium decreases. The heat medium cooled by the compression side heat exchanger 46 a is supplied to the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 or the warm-up heat medium tank 42 through the warm-up heat medium pipe 48.

  Valves (second bypass switching means) 56a and 56b are provided in the warm-up heat medium pipe 48 extending from the compression side heat exchanger 46a. Therefore, the supply destination of the heat medium from the compression side heat exchanger 46a can be switched by opening and closing the valves 56a and 56b. Specifically, when supplying the low-temperature heat medium tank 18, the valve 56a is closed and the valve 56b is opened. When supplying the warming-up heat medium tank 42, the valve 56b is closed and the valve 56a is opened.

  The expansion-side heat exchanger 46b is provided between the warm-up heat medium pipe 48 and the lubricating oil pipe 30c, and performs heat exchange between the warm-up heat medium and the lubricating oil supplied to the expanders 7 to 9. And heat the lubricating oil. That is, in the expansion side heat exchanger 46b, the temperature of the lubricating oil rises and the temperature of the warming-up heat medium decreases. The heat medium cooled by the expansion side heat exchanger 46 b is supplied to the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 or the warm-up heat medium tank 42 through the warm-up heat medium pipe 48.

  Valves (second bypass switching means) 56c and 56d are provided in the warm-up heat medium pipe 48 extending from the expansion side heat exchanger 46b. Therefore, the supply destination of the heat medium from the expansion side heat exchanger 46b can be switched by opening and closing the valves 56c and 56d. Specifically, when supplying the low-temperature heat medium tank 18, the valve 56d is closed and the valve 56c is opened. When supplying the warming-up heat medium tank 42, the valve 56c is closed and the valve 56d is opened.

  As described above, the CAES power generation device 2 of the present embodiment includes the second bypass flow path 54 that bypasses the low-temperature heat medium tank 18. The second bypass passage 54 branches from the warm-up heat medium pipe 48 upstream of the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 and joins the warm-up heat medium tank 42 downstream of the low-temperature heat medium tank 18.

  A pump 52 for flowing the heat medium in the heat medium pipe 20 is provided in the heat medium flow path. In the present embodiment, the pump 52 is provided downstream of the warm-up heat medium tank 42. However, the position of the pump 52 is not limited to this, and may be provided at an arbitrary position in the heat medium flow path.

  Further, the CAES power generation device 2 includes a control device 58. The control device 58 is constructed by hardware including a sequencer and the software installed therein. The pressure sensor 6 a, the lubricating oil temperature sensors 34 a to 34 c, and the heat medium temperature sensors 14 a, 18 a, 42 a are connected to the control device 58 by wiring (not shown) or wirelessly, and output measurement values to the control device 58. The control device 58 operates at least the individual valves 26a to 26h, 40a to 40c, 50a to 50c, 56a to 56d, the lubricant heater 32, and the warming-up heat medium heater 44 based on the output values of the above-described sensors. I have control.

  Next, in order to clarify the characteristics of the present invention, the description will be made in comparison with the conventional CAES power generator 2.

  FIG. 2 shows a conventional CAES power generator 2 for comparison with the present embodiment. There are five main differences from this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, as will be described later. Except for five differences, the conventional CAES power generator 2 is substantially the same as the present embodiment of FIG. Therefore, the same parts as those shown in FIG.

  The first difference is the configuration for heating the lubricating oil used for warm-up operation. The conventional CAES power generator 2 has one lubricating oil tank 28b for storing lubricating oil to be supplied to the compressors 3 to 5, whereas in the present embodiment, it is supplied to a specific compressor 3. A lubricating oil tank 28a for storing lubricating oil is separately provided. Therefore, one compressor 3 is warmed up by the minimum heating of the lubricating oil. Furthermore, by using the compression heat generated by the production of the compressed air at this time for the warm-up operation of the other compressors 4 and 5 and the expanders 7 to 9, the power consumption required for warm-up can be reduced and simplified. Smooth warm-up operation is possible with a simple configuration. In addition, the number of lubricant heaters 32 can be reduced, leading to cost reduction and improved device reliability.

  The second difference is related to the warm-up heat medium tank 42 and the warm-up heat medium heater 44. The conventional CAES power generator 2 does not include these, but in the present embodiment, these are provided. As in the case of the lubricating oil, the heat medium also increases in viscosity due to a decrease in temperature. When all the warming-up heat mediums used in the apparatus are heated by the warming-up heat medium heater 44, a large amount of power is consumed because a large amount of the warming-up heat medium needs to be heated. Further, if the warming-up is to be finished in a short time, a large capacity or a large number of warming-up heat medium heaters 44 are required, resulting in an increase in cost. However, by providing the small warming-up heat medium tank 42, the minimum required warming-up heat medium can be heated, so that the power consumption of the warming-up heat medium heater 44 can be reduced. Alternatively, the number of heating medium heaters 44 for warming up can be reduced, leading to cost reduction and improved device reliability.

  The third difference is for the first bypass flow path 38. In the conventional CAES power generator 2, the first bypass flow path 38 for bypassing the high-temperature heat medium tank 14 does not exist, but this is provided in the present embodiment. By providing the first bypass passage 38, the warming-up heat medium during the warm-up operation is not mixed with the heat medium whose temperature is lowered in the high-temperature heat medium tank 14. Therefore, the temperature of the warm-up heat medium can be maintained, and the lubricating oil can be heated more greatly by the warm-up heat medium in the third heat exchange unit 46.

  The fourth difference is about the second bypass channel 54. The conventional CAES power generator 2 does not have the second bypass flow path 54 for bypassing the low-temperature heat medium tank 18, but this is provided in the present embodiment. By providing the second bypass passage 54, the warming-up heat medium during the warm-up operation is not mixed with the heat medium whose temperature is lowered in the low-temperature heat medium tank 18. Therefore, the temperature of the warm-up heat medium can be maintained, and the power consumption of the warm-up heat medium heater 44 in the warm-up heat medium tank 42 can be reduced.

  The fifth difference is about the third heat exchange unit 46. The conventional CAES power generator 2 does not include the third heat exchange unit 46 and the heating medium pipe 48 for warming up, but these are provided in the present embodiment. Since the heat exchangers 46a and 46b are provided for the compression side and the expansion side, respectively, the lubricating oil used only on the compression side or only on the expansion side can be heated independently. In the CAES power generator 2, compression and expansion may not be performed at the same time, that is, only the compressor or only the expander may operate. In such a case, it is effective that the lubricating oil can be heated independently for each of the compression side and the expansion side.

  Moreover, with reference to FIGS. 3-5, operation | movement of the CAES power generator 2 of this embodiment is demonstrated based on a control flow.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when the operation is started (step S3-1), it is determined whether or not the lubricating oil temperature Toa detected by the lubricating oil temperature sensor 34a is lower than a predetermined temperature Tol (step S3-2). ). The predetermined temperature Tol is set to a temperature that lowers the viscosity of the lubricating oil at a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature Tol and adversely affects the CAES power generator 2. The predetermined temperature Tol may be different depending on the type of lubricating oil, the usage environment of the CAES power generator 2, and the like. When the lubricating oil temperature Toa is lower than the predetermined temperature Tol, the lubricating oil heater 32 and the warming-up heat medium heater 44 are turned on (step S3-3) until the lubricating oil temperature Toa reaches the predetermined temperature Tol. It waits (step S3-4) and starts the operation of the compressor 3 (step S3-5). When the temperature Toa of the lubricating oil is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Tol, the operation of the compressor 3 is immediately started (step S3-5). When compressed air is manufactured by the compressor 3, compression heat is generated accordingly (step S3-6). This compression heat is recovered by the first heat exchanger 12a using a warming-up heat medium (step S3-7). The warming-up heat medium whose temperature has been recovered through heat recovery is supplied to the third heat exchanging unit 46, and heats the lubricating oil supplied to the expanders 7 to 9 and the other compressors 4 and 5 (step S3-8). ). The warming-up heat medium exchanged by the third heat exchanging unit 46 is supplied and stored in the warming-up heat medium tank 42 and heated by the warming-up heat medium heater 44 (step S3-9). In this manner, the lubricating oil is heated, and it is determined whether the lubricating oil temperatures Tob and Toc detected by the lubricating oil temperature sensors 34b and 34c are both within the design temperature range (Tol <Tob, Toc <Toh) (step). S3-10). When the temperatures Tob and Toc of the lubricating oil are both within the design temperature range, the lubricating oil heater 32 is turned off, the valves 50a to 50c are switched, and the heating medium piping 48 for warming up is closed (step S3-11). Specifically, the valves 50b and 50c are closed and the valve 50a is opened. Then, the following process A is executed (step S3-12), and when the process A is completed, the process ends (step S3-13).

  In the present embodiment, the number of operating compressors 3 is one at the initial stage of the warm-up operation, but the number of operating units may be gradually increased during the warm-up operation. If the lubricating oil temperature detected by the lubricating oil temperature sensor 34b is within the above-described design temperature range, the lubricating oil has recovered its fluidity, so that the other compressors 4 and 5 can be operated. Therefore, for example, the compressor 4 may be further operated during the warm-up operation, and the compression heat may be further recovered by the first heat exchanger 12b. In this case, since the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank 28b is at a certain temperature or higher, the temperature of the warming-up heat medium that has exchanged heat with the compression side heat exchanger 46a does not drop significantly. Accordingly, by closing the valve 56a and opening the valve 56b, the warm-up heat medium whose temperature has not been lowered is supplied to the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 instead of the warm-up heat medium tank 42, and the low-temperature heat medium tank The temperature of the heat medium in 18 may be raised.

  Referring to FIG. 4, when process A is executed (step S <b> 4-1), the warming-up heat medium heated by recovering the compression heat by switching valves 56 a to 56 d is supplied to low-temperature heat medium tank 18. (Step S4-2). Specifically, the valves 56a and 56d are closed and the valves 56b and 56c are opened. Then, the warm-up heat medium is supplied from the low-temperature heat medium tank 18 to the warm-up heat medium tank 42 and heated by the warm-up heat medium heater 44 (step S4-3). In this way, the warming-up heat medium is heated, and it is determined whether the temperature Tma of the warm-up heat medium detected by the heat medium temperature sensor 42a is within the design temperature range (Tml <Tma <Tmh) (step S4). -4). When the temperature Tma of the warming-up heat medium is within the design temperature range, the warming-up heat medium heater 44 is turned off (step S4-5), the valves 50a to 50c are switched, and the normal operation is performed (step S4-). 6). Specifically, the valves 50b and 50c are closed and the valve 50a is opened. Then, the process A ends (step S4-7).

  Referring to FIG. 5, in CAES power generator 2 of the present embodiment, process B is executed in parallel with the control flow shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Process B is executed when the temperatures Tob and Toc of the lubricating oil are both within the design temperature range (Tol <Tob, Toc <Toh). When the process B is executed (step S5-1), compressed air is produced by the compressor 3 (step S5-2). And compression heat is collect | recovered with the 1st heat exchanger 12a, and compressed air is supplied to the pressure accumulation tank 6 (step S5-3). The recovered compression heat is used for the warm-up operation as described above (step S5-4). These processes are repeated until the pressure accumulation tank is full (step S5-5). If the tank is full, it is determined whether the temperature Tma of the warming-up heat medium is within the design temperature range (Tml <Tma <Tmh) (step S5-6). If the temperature is within the design temperature range, the second heat exchange unit 16 heats the compressed air with a heat medium (step S5-7), and drives the expanders 7 to 9 to generate power (step S5-8). If it is not within the design temperature range, the second heat exchange unit 16 does not heat the compressed air with the heat medium (step S5-9), and drives the expanders 7 to 9 to generate power (step S5-10). Then, the process B ends (step S5-11).

  Moreover, the control flow of FIGS. 3-5 does not necessarily need to be performed when the rapid startup of the CAES power generator 2 is required. That is, when it is necessary to end the warm-up operation early, all the lubricating oil and heat medium used in the CAES power generator 2 may be heated.

  In the present embodiment, the warm-up operation is started based on the detected value of the lubricating oil temperature sensor 34a in steps S3-2 and S3-4 shown in FIG. At this time, in addition to the detection value of the lubricating oil temperature sensor 34a, for example, the warm-up operation may be started based on the detection value of the heat medium temperature sensor 42a. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation from being started when the temperature of the warming-up heat medium is lower than a predetermined value. Therefore, adverse effects such as a decrease in the reliability of the CAES power generator 2 due to an increase in the viscosity of the heat medium can be avoided. The reason why the detection value of the lubricating oil temperature sensor 34a is used in the determination in the present embodiment is that, in practice, it is often a problem to increase the viscosity of the lubricating oil. Absent.

  In addition, the “fluctuating input power” of the present invention is not limited to renewable energy, and may be one that smoothes demand power of a factory facility or performs peak cut.

2 Compressed air storage generator (CAES generator)
3, 4, 5 Compressor 3a, 4a, 5a Inlet port 3b, 4b, 5b Discharge port 6 Accumulation tank 6a Pressure sensor 7, 8, 9 Expander 7a, 8a, 9a Inlet port 7b, 8b, 9b Exhaust port 10a , 10b Air piping 12 1st heat exchange part 12a, 12b, 12c 1st heat exchanger 14 High temperature heat medium tank 14a Heat medium temperature sensor 16 2nd heat exchange part 16a, 16b, 16c 2nd heat exchanger 18 Low temperature heat medium Tank 18a Heat medium temperature sensor 20 Heat medium pipe 22a, 22b, 22c Generator 24a, 24b, 24c Motor (electric motor)
26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e, 26f, 26g, 26h Valves 28a, 28b, 28c Lubricating oil tanks 30a, 30b, 30c Lubricating oil piping 32 Lubricating oil heaters 34a, 34b, 34c Lubricating oil temperature sensors 36a, 36b, 36c Pump 38 First bypass flow path 40a, 40b, 40c Valve (first bypass switching means)
42 Heating medium tank for warming up 42a Heating medium temperature sensor 44 Heating medium heater for warming up 46 3rd heat exchange part 46a Compression side heat exchanger 46b Expansion side heat exchanger 48 Heating medium piping for warming up 50a, 50b, 50c Valve 52 Pump 54 Second bypass flow path 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d Valve (second bypass switching means)
58 Controller

Claims (6)

An electric motor driven by fluctuating input power;
A plurality of compressors mechanically connected to the electric motor and compressing air;
An accumulator tank that is fluidly connected to the compressor and stores compressed air compressed by the compressor;
A plurality of expanders that are fluidly connected to the accumulator tank and driven by compressed air supplied from the accumulator tank;
A generator mechanically connected to the expander;
Heat exchange between the air compressed by the compressor and the heat medium, and a first heat exchange unit for heating the heat medium;
A high-temperature heat medium tank that is fluidly connected to the first heat exchange unit and stores a heat medium that has been heated and heated by the first heat exchange unit;
A second heat exchange for fluidly connecting to the high temperature heat medium tank, exchanging heat between the heat medium supplied from the high temperature heat medium tank and the compressed air supplied to the expander, and heating the compressed air And
A low-temperature heat medium tank that is fluidly connected to the second heat exchange unit and stores a heat medium that has been cooled and cooled by the second heat exchange unit;
During warm-up operation, among the plurality of compressors, a lubricating oil tank for storing lubricating oil supplied to the compressors that are not the total number,
A lubricating oil heater for heating the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank;
A heat medium heated by heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit, and a third heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with the lubricating oil and heats the lubricating oil;
A compressed air storage power generator comprising: a lubricating oil temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the lubricating oil heated by the heat exchange in the third heat exchange unit. A heating medium tank for warming up that stores a small volume of heating medium with respect to the high temperature heating medium tank and the low temperature heating medium tank;
The compressed air storage power generation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a warming-up heat medium heater for heating the heating medium in the warming-up heat medium tank. A first bypass flow path in which a heat medium flows from the first heat exchange part to the second heat exchange part, bypassing the high-temperature heat medium tank;
The compressed air storage power generator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a first bypass switching unit that switches whether the heat medium is supplied to the first bypass flow path or the high-temperature heat medium tank. The third heat exchange unit is
A compression side heat exchanger for heating the lubricating oil supplied to the compressor;
The compressed air storage power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an expansion side heat exchanger that heats lubricating oil supplied to the expander. A second bypass flow path in which a heat medium flows from the second heat exchange section to the first heat exchange section, bypassing the low temperature heat medium tank;
The compression according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a second bypass switching unit that switches whether the heat medium is supplied to the second bypass flow path or the low-temperature heat medium tank. Air storage power generator. Compress air with multiple compressors driven by varying input power,
Store compressed air,
Power is generated by expanding the stored compressed air,
Recovering the compression heat generated in the compression step;
Stores the recovered compression heat,
The compressed air that is expanded before the expansion step is heated by the compressed heat stored,
During warm-up operation, supply heated lubricating oil to the compressors that are not all units among the plurality of compressors,
The lubricating oil is heated by the recovered compression heat,
Detecting the temperature of the lubricating oil heated by the recovered compression heat. A compressed air storage power generation method.

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