公开(公告)号：US20230091879A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-23

申请号：US17952722

申请日：2022-09-26

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Benjamin R. Bollinger ,  Bao H. Truong

IPC: F02C1/00 ,  F02C1/05 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F28D20/00

Abstract: A system including: (i) a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage (“HTS”) medium; (ii) an electric heater in thermal contact with the hot HTS medium, wherein the electric heater is operable to heat the hot HTS medium above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium in a thermodynamic cycle.

公开(公告)号：US20230081576A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-16

申请号：US18051253

申请日：2022-10-31

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Benjamin R. BOLLINGER ,  Bao H. TRUONG

IPC: F02C6/14 ,  F01D15/10 ,  F01K13/02

Abstract: A method including: operating a pumped-heat energy storage (“PHES”) system in a generation mode to generate electricity; and responsive, at least in part, to a determination that a power generation plant will reduce supply of electricity to an electrical grid by a reduction amount of electricity, changing modes of the PHES system from the generation mode to operate in a charge mode. Operating in the charge mode can include receiving a charge amount of electricity, at least equal to the reduction amount of electricity, into the PHES system from the power generation plant and converting at least a portion of the charge amount of electricity to stored thermal energy.

公开(公告)号：US11591956B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US17365341

申请日：2021-07-01

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Raj Apte ,  Philippe Larochelle

IPC: F02C6/14 ,  F28D20/00 ,  F02C1/04 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F28F13/14

Abstract: Solid-state thermoclines with internal baffle structures are in used in place of heat exchangers in a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation or energy storage system, such as a closed Brayton cycle system. The baffles limit the conductive and/or radiative transfer of heat between a solid thermal medium within different zones defined by the baffle structures.

公开(公告)号：US20230019518A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-19

申请号：US17952753

申请日：2022-09-26

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Raj APTE ,  Philippe LAROCHELLE

IPC: F02C1/04 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F02C1/10 ,  H02P9/04 ,  F03G6/06 ,  F03G6/04

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for pump control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a Brayton cycle. Operational parameters such as working fluid temperature, thermal fluid temperature, stream pressure, and power generation may be the basis for controlling a thermal fluid pump rate.

公开(公告)号：US20230012284A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-12

申请号：US17872489

申请日：2022-07-25

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Benjamin R. Bollinger ,  Bao H. Truong

IPC: F01K3/00 ,  F01D15/10 ,  F01K3/18 ,  F01K13/02 ,  F02C6/14

Abstract: A method including: (i) operating a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”) in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage medium (“HTS medium”) by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium, resulting in a hot HTS medium, wherein the PHES system is further operable in a generation mode to convert at least a portion of the stored thermal energy into electricity; and (ii) heating the hot HTS medium with an electric heater above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from the working fluid to the warm HTS medium.

公开(公告)号：US20220290577A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-15

申请号：US17705738

申请日：2022-03-28

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Bao H. Truong

IPC: F01D15/10 ,  F01K27/02 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F28D17/04 ,  F28D20/00

Abstract: A system including: a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy, wherein the PHES system comprises a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and (ii) a fluid path directing a hot fluid from a heat source external to the PHES system through a reheater, wherein a portion of the working fluid path through the turbine system comprises circulating the working fluid through a first turbine, the reheater, and a second turbine, and wherein the working fluid thermally contacts the hot fluid in the reheater, thereby transferring heat from the hot fluid to the working fluid.

公开(公告)号：US20210180522A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US17164286

申请日：2021-02-01

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Raj APTE ,  Philippe LAROCHELLE

IPC: F02C9/24 ,  B01D53/26 ,  F02C1/05 ,  F02C1/08 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F01K13/00 ,  F02C1/04 ,  F02C6/16 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F28D20/00 ,  F01K3/10 ,  F01K3/02 ,  F01K3/06 ,  F01K3/12 ,  F01K3/18 ,  F01K7/38 ,  F01K13/02 ,  F01K25/10 ,  F22B1/00

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to use of external air for inventory control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system or energy storage system, such as a reversible Brayton cycle system, are disclosed. A method may involve, in a closed cycle system operating in a power generation mode, circulating a working fluid may through a closed cycle fluid path. The closed cycle fluid path may include a high pressure leg and a low pressure leg. The method may further involve in response to a demand for increased power generation, compressing and dehumidifying environmental air. And the method may involve injecting the compressed and dehumidified environmental air into the low pressure leg.

公开(公告)号：US20210180457A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-17

申请号：US17164302

申请日：2021-02-01

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Robert B. LAUGHLIN

IPC: F01D1/02 ,  F01K5/00 ,  F01L1/02

Abstract: Efficient energy storage is provided by using a working fluid flowing in a closed cycle including a ganged compressor and turbine, and capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. This system can operate as a heat engine by transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side to mechanically drive the turbine. The system can also operate as a refrigerator by mechanically driving the compressor to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. Heat exchange between the working fluid of the system and the heat storage fluids occurs in counter-flow heat exchangers. In a preferred approach, molten salt is the hot side heat storage fluid and water is the cold side heat storage fluid.

公开(公告)号：US20210054785A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-25

申请号：US17092806

申请日：2020-11-09

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Raj B. APTE ,  Philippe LAROCHELLE ,  Julian GREEN

IPC: F02C6/16 ,  F01K3/12 ,  F01K7/16 ,  F01K23/10 ,  F02C1/10 ,  H02K7/18

Abstract: A power generation system comprising a shared hot side thermal store, a shared cold side thermal store, a plurality of power subunits, and an electrical bus is disclosed. Each of the power subunits may connected or isolated from the shared hot side thermal store and/or the shared cold side thermal store.

公开(公告)号：US20210040886A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-11

申请号：US17069496

申请日：2020-10-13

Applicant: MALTA INC.

Inventor： Raj Apte ,  Richard DeVaul ,  Philippe Larochelle

IPC: F02C1/05 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F02C9/24 ,  H02K7/18

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to variable pressure turbines are disclosed. A power generation system may include a closed cycle system configured to generate power, a combustor, and a control system. The closed cycle system may include a working fluid circulating in a closed cycle path. The combustor may provide thermal energy to the working fluid. Further, the control system may be configured to determine to increase an amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, and in response to the determination to increase the amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, cause an increase in pressure of the working fluid in the closed cycle path.