Thermodynamic analysis of liquid air energy storage systems based on different liquefaction cycles

Abstract Liquid air energy storage (LAES) is a large-scale, long-duration energy storage technology that stores electricity in the form of liquid air. Air liquefaction is the core process of a LAES system, determining the conversion rate between electricity and liquid air, and affecting the system efficiency. Research on the LAES systems typically revolves around a single liquefaction cycle, such as the Linde-Hampson cycle, and thermodynamic comparisons of LAES based on different liquefaction cycles still need to be further investigated. The LAES systems based on the Linde-Hampson throttling liquefaction cycle, as well as combined liquefaction cycles using the Claude cycle, the Heylandt cycle, and the Kapitza cycle are presented and compared in this paper. Characterized by parameters such as energy consumption per unit of liquefied air, liquefaction rate and round-trip efficiency, the system performance of different liquefaction cycles was compared. The operating parameters of the LAES system based on different cycles were optimized. The sensitivity effects of typical operating parameters on the system performance was evaluated. Considering the practical engineering feasibility and economy, the preferred liquefaction process and critical operating parameters of the liquefaction were determined.