US4189925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of storing electric power
Assignee: Northern Illinois Gas Co
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Filing: 1978-05-08
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Granted: 1980-02-26
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Expires: 1998-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for storing electric power and later utilizing the stored power is described which includes the steps of converting the electric power to chemical energy of molecular hydrogen, reacting the hydrogen with a source of carbon to produce a hydrocarbon compound such as methane or methanol, storing the hydrocarbon compound, and then supplying the hydrocarbon compound as fuel to a generator which operates to generate electric power. In one embodiment of the invention the hydrocarbon fuel is used to heat stored compressed air which is in turn used to drive a turbogenerator.
Inventors
- 👤 George Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:05
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for storing electrical power and later using the stored power comprising the steps of: utilizing a portion of the electrical power to produce molecular hydrogen; reacting at least a portion of the hydrogen thereby produced with a source of carbon to produce a hydrocarbon compound; storing the hydrocarbon compound; and using at least a portion of the stored hydrocarbon compound as fuel to generate electrical power.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for storing electrical power and later using the stored power comprising the steps of: utilizing a portion of the electrical power to produce molecular hydrogen; reacting at least a portion of the hydrogen thereby produced with a source of carbon to produce a hydrocarbon compound; storing the hydrocarbon compound; and using at least a portion of the stored hydrocarbon compound as fuel to generate electrical power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon compound is methane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the methane is stored in a natural gas storage facility.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon compound is methanol.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for storing electrical power and later utilizing the stored power comprising the steps of: utilizing a first portion of the electrical power to generate molecular hydrogen; generating a hydrocarbon compound by reacting at least a portion of the hydrogen with a source of carbon; storing the hydrocarbon compound; utilizing a second portion of the electrical power to produce compressed air; storing the compressed air; and supplying at least a portion of the stored hydrocarbon compound as fuel and at least a portion of the stored compressed air to a turbogenerator to produce electric power.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for storing electrical power and later utilizing the stored power comprising the steps of: utilizing a first portion of the electrical power to generate molecular hydrogen; generating a hydrocarbon compound by reacting at least a portion of the hydrogen with a source of carbon; storing the hydrocarbon compound; utilizing a second portion of the electrical power to produce compressed air; storing the compressed air; and supplying at least a portion of the stored hydrocarbon compound as fuel and at least a portion of the stored compressed air to a turbogenerator to produce electric power.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the hydrocarbon compound is methane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the methane is stored in a natural gas storage facility.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the hydrocarbon compound is methanol.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for storing electric power generated during off peak periods and later utilizing the stored power to generate additional electric power comprising the following steps: storing a first portion of the electric power as chemical energy in molecular hydrogen; reacting molecular hydrogen with carbon dioxide to produce methane; storing the methane as a gas in a natural gas storage facility; using a second portion of the electric power to produce compressed air; storing the compressed air; and operating a turbogenerator using the stored methane as a fuel and the compressed air as a source of energy in order to generate electricity.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for storing electric power generated during off peak periods and later utilizing the stored power to generate additional electric power comprising the following steps: storing a first portion of the electric power as chemical energy in molecular hydrogen; reacting molecular hydrogen with carbon dioxide to produce methane; storing the methane as a gas in a natural gas storage facility; using a second portion of the electric power to produce compressed air; storing the compressed air; and operating a turbogenerator using the stored methane as a fuel and the compressed air as a source of energy in order to generate electricity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-08-27 | 1984-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-25 | 1987-08-27 | 1988-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-25 | 1991-08-27 | 1992-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |