Optimizing pre-cooling methods for liquid air energy storage power stations: A focus on cooling of tanks

Abstract Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES), characterized by its large-scale energy storage capacity and geographical flexibility, represents a promising solution to address the intermittency and volatility of renewable energy. In the construction phase of a LAES power station, the pre-cooling procedure for the cold energy storage fluid and its corresponding tank assumes critical significance, as it profoundly impacts both the round-trip efficiency and the overall economic viability of the station. Traditionally, the liquid-phase cold energy storage method employs a methanol-water solution and propane as the cold energy storage fluid. However, direct injection of the low-temperature cold energy storage fluid into the tank can lead to excessive stress, potentially compromising the tank's integrity. Hence, it is crucial to pre-cool the tanks and pipelines to the appropriate temperatures prior to fluid injection. In this paper, liquid nitrogen spraying is used to pre-cool the storage tank, and the pre-cooling model is established. As the precooling rate increases, the liquid nitrogen consumption decreases, but the rate of reduction of liquid nitrogen consumption decreases. As the ambient temperature increases, the liquid nitrogen consumption increases, and the growth rate of liquid nitrogen consumption is 2.4 tons/K. The influence of external wind speed on liquid nitrogen consumption is small. This provides a reference for the construction of future liquid air energy storage power plants.