Patent ID: 9518786
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: F01K,F02C,F02D,F22B,F28D,H02J,Y02E,Y02T

Claim Text:
1. Apparatus for storing energy, comprising: a high pressure storage vessel for receiving a high pressure gas, the high pressure storage vessel comprising a high pressure heat store configured to receive thermal energy from the high pressure gas; wherein the high pressure storage vessel is configured for connection to a gas store for storing pressurised gas after exposure to the high pressure heat store or to gas processing equipment for receiving pressurised gas after exposure to the high pressure heat store; wherein the apparatus further comprises: a low pressure storage vessel comprising a low pressure heat store configured to receive thermal energy from a low pressure gas, the low pressure storage vessel being configured for selective connection to the high pressure storage vessel for a transfer process in which thermal energy is transferred from the high pressure heat store to the low pressure heat store; and gas transfer equipment for transferring gas at low pressure between the high pressure storage vessel and the low pressure storage vessel, wherein stored thermal energy is transferred between the high pressure heat store and the low pressure heat store by passing the low pressure gas between the high pressure storage vessel and the low pressure storage vessel, the low pressure gas passing through the high pressure heat store where the thermal energy is transferred to the low pressure gas, and then passing through the low pressure heat store where the low pressure gas transfers the thermal energy to the low pressure heat store.