Process configuration of Liquid-nitrogen Energy Storage System (LESS) for maximum turnaround efficiency. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dutta, Rohan; Ghosh, Parthasarathi; Chowdhury, Kanchan
• Is Part Of: Cryogenics. Volume 88(2017)
• Page Start: 132
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Liquid-nitrogen Energy Storage System (LESS) -- Turnaround efficiency -- Exergy analysis -- Aspen Hysys; Low temperature engineering -- Periodicals; Low temperature research -- Periodicals; 536.56
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cryogenics.2017.10.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-2275

Abstract

Highlights: Presents process configuration of Liquid-nitrogen Energy Storage System (LESS) Identified scopes of improvement of basic configuration of LESS. Proposed multi-stage superheating and expansion for improvement of turnaround efficiency. Turnaround efficiency can reach up to 47% from basic value of 22% Abstract: Diverse power generation sector requires energy storage due to penetration of variable renewable energy sources and use of CO2 capture plants with fossil fuel based power plants. Cryogenic energy storage being large-scale, decoupled system with capability of producing large power in the range of MWs is one of the options. The drawback of these systems is low turnaround efficiencies due to liquefaction processes being highly energy intensive. In this paper, the scopes of improving the turnaround efficiency of such a plant based on liquid Nitrogen were identified and some of them were addressed. A method using multiple stages of reheat and expansion was proposed for improved turnaround efficiency from 22% to 47% using four such stages in the cycle. The novelty here is the application of reheating in a cryogenic system and utilization of waste heat for that purpose. Based on the study, process conditions for a laboratory-scale setup were determined and presented here.