Performances in a cryogenic regenerator used in a LIQHYSMES system

摘要

Among the various approaches in dealing with the fluctuating renewable energy generation, LiqHySMES proposes a combined solution where a SMES is coupled with a cryogenic plant. This idea allows energy storage in two forms: electromagnetic and chemical (liquid hydrogen). This has been necessary because balancing loads on rapidly evolving fluctuations on the grid with only hydrogen would have been unrealistic due to its slow response, thus being necessary to integrate it with an electrical energy storage device that enables a rapid response. Previous works dealt in assessing the characteristics of this type of plant on buffering fluctuations on time scale from seconds up to minutes and in designing the necessary parts for a small scale proof of concept system. One key component is represented by the regenerator. In this paper, we want to show, apart from the design methodology, a study on the influence of various parameters on the performance of the regenerator, highlighting the most important factors that could not allow obtaining a very high efficiency. A 1D model of differential equations is implemented to investigate the regenerator performances, addressing parameters such as regenerator configuration, material and fluid properties, temperature profiles, etc. Results are then analysed and discussed. Moreover, given the advanced manufacturing phase of all components, the implementation of the Fiber Bragg Grating sensor for mapping temperature profiles within the regenerator is also addressed.