| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090025421 | Mineral recovery system for desalination - The invention relates to a mineral recovery system that processes concentrated brine leftover from a desalination system, wherein the brine is introduced into a crystallization chamber in the form of a spray, and wherein by mixing it with super chilled air from the desalination system, the droplets will flash freeze and form a super chilled slurry mixture, wherein an agitator for mixing the super chilled slurry is provided at or near the bottom of the crystallization chamber. Multiple stilling chambers are preferably provided for further separating the water from the concentrated brine, to produce a heavily concentrated sludge containing mineral solids that can be removed from the brine and recovered for commercial purposes. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090033102 | Method and apparatus for using wind turbines to generate and supply uninterrupted power to locations remote from the power grid - The present invention relates to a wind energy generating and storing system comprising methods and apparatuses for providing energy dedicated for immediate use and energy storage, to provide electrical power on an uninterrupted and continuous basis, to locations remote from an electrical power grid. In a large application, the invention contemplates having a predetermined number of windmills dedicated for immediate use, and a predetermined number of windmills dedicated for energy storage, as compressed air energy in one or more high pressure tanks. A hybrid windmill having the ability to simultaneously switch between energy for immediate use and energy storage can also be provided. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090205364 | Method and apparatus for removing carbon dioxide gas from coal combustion power plants - The invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing CO | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090230696 | Method and apparatus for using solar energy to enhance the operation of a compressed air energy storage system - The invention relates to a method and apparatus for using solar energy to enhance the efficiency of a compressed air energy storage system (and visa-versa). The apparatus comprises a photovoltaic panel to drive a compressor, which provides compressed air energy into an inner vessel housed within a storage tank. Two solar receiving panels are used to heat water which can be circulated and stored within an annulus surrounding the inner vessel, wherein the heated water can help regulate the temperature of the compressed air within the tank. This way, when air is released using a turbo expander, any excess temperature drops that can otherwise result from air expansion can be avoided. The overall system efficiency is enhanced by the chilled air by-product of the turbo expander which is used to generate more electrical power from an associated fuel-driven generator set, and/or by the waste heat from the compressor and from the generator set exhaust which is used in a Combined Heat and Power system (CHP) to power either a steam-driven generator set or an absorption chiller. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090256362 | Method and apparatus for storing and transporting energy using a pipeline - A method and apparatus for storing and transporting energy in the form of compressed air energy via a pipeline shown. The method preferably consists of using at least one power source to drive a compressor to compress air into storage, wherein the pipeline can be adapted to reduce the pressure losses that are experienced along its length, such as by providing first and second segments, wherein the second segment is located further downstream from the first segment, and the first segment's diameter is greater than that of the second segment. Facilities or communities connected to the pipeline can use the energy in the form of electricity, or to drive pneumatic tools or equipment, or to generate chilled air as a by-product, which can be used for refrigeration, air conditioning or desalination. A utility or grid or wind farm or other power source can be used to generate the compressed air energy, such as during low demand periods, such that the energy can be used during high demand periods. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090281965 | Method and apparatus for storing and using energy to reduce the end-user cost of energy - The invention relates to an energy storing method and apparatus for use by end-users of energy, such as commercial property owners and operators. The system differs from past systems, insofar as it is not intended to be used by and in connection with energy suppliers, such as large utility and power supply plants and grids. The system preferably relates to the manner in which an end-user of energy can implement energy and costs savings, by using energy storage and time-shifting methods, to control and regulate the consumption of energy in a manner that achieves a cost savings over a period of time. One aspect of the method relates to accurately forecasting and predicting the energy demands and peaks that might occur on a daily basis, by recording and analyzing the prior day's history, as well as the overall energy demand histories, using short and long term forecasts, and then setting up a variable energy storage/use plan or schedule that helps to reduce the peak demands by time-shifting the energy that is used, i.e., reducing consumption during high demand/high cost periods, and using the energy stored during low demand/low cost periods during the high demand/high cost periods. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100018247 | DESALINATION METHOD AND SYSTEM USING A CONTINUOUS HELICAL SLUSH REMOVAL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a chamber, wherein a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The droplets then settle at the bottom of the chamber, wherein they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature, to form an ice/brine slush mixture. A slush removal mechanism with a screw-like helical blade is provided to continuously remove the ice particles from the chamber. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100037653 | Desalination Method and System Using Compressed Air Energy Systems - The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a crystallization chamber. Also injected into the chamber is a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, and which is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The sizes of the droplets can vary, but are preferably predetermined, along with the relative temperatures, flows and speeds of the spray and chilled air, such that when the droplets are circulated within the chilled air, and settle at the bottom of the chamber, they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature. This way, the ice/snow mass that forms at the bottom of the chamber will consist of frozen ice crystals, and a residue of salt water brine, which can runoff from the mass, either from the sides, or through any voids or channels that may form within the mass. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100095681 | Method and apparatus for using compressed air to increase the efficiency of a fuel driven turbine generator - A method and apparatus is shown for increasing the efficiency of a fuel driven turbine generator, and in particular, a system comprising a turbo compressor and turbo expander device that produces super chilled air that can be mixed with ambient air to produce relatively cool dry inlet air that can be introduced under pressure into the fuel driven generator to increase the efficiency thereof. A separation compartment with a passageway extending normal to the travel direction of the chilled air is preferably used to remove ice particles and particulates from the cool inlet air to avoid damage to the turbine blades. Additional efficiency increasing apparatuses such as heat exchangers and steam driven turbine generators and chillers that use heat from the compressors, as well as thermal energy storage systems that store chilled water produced by releasing compressed air are contemplated. | 04-22-2010 |
