Assembly comprising a combustion facility and an energy and environmental optimization system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combustion devices have limited energy efficiency and generate significant greenhouse gas emissions due to their reliance on air as an oxidant and fossil fuels, with existing 'Power to Gas' solutions facing challenges in hydrogen transport and oxygen recovery, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Hybridizing combustion devices with local electrolyzers that generate hydrogen and oxygen for injection into the combustion process, coupled with heat recovery and storage, to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions, while using renewable energy sources for electrolysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air is used as comburent/oxidant in combustion devices, then the combustion process can be maintained, but energy efficiency is limited due to nitrogen dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by enriching the oxidant stream with oxygen produced from local electrolysis, replacing the conventional air oxidant. This concentrated oxygen source accelerates combustion and improves energy efficiency by eliminating nitrogen dilution, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining combustion and improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electrolysis system that produces pure oxygen and hydrogen, which then mediates the combustion process. This intermediary system allows the combustion device to use high-concentration oxygen instead of air, resolving the contradiction by providing a substance (pure oxygen) that enables both combustion and high energy efficiency.
2Power
If fossil fuels are used in combustion devices, then energy can be produced, but greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the oxidant from air (21% oxygen) to electrolysis-produced oxygen (high concentration), which fundamentally alters the combustion process. This parameter change enables cleaner combustion with reduced emissions while maintaining energy production, resolving the contradiction between power generation and harmful emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously wasted oxygen from electrolysis (a byproduct) into a beneficial resource for combustion enhancement. By recovering and utilizing this oxygen, the system transforms a waste stream into a value-added component that reduces emissions and improves efficiency, resolving the contradiction between energy production and environmental harm.
3Loss of energy
If Power to Gas solutions are implemented with hydrogen transport through city gas networks, then renewable energy can be stored and transported, but network suitability and transport efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the Power to Gas concept into a localized system where electrolysis, hydrogen production, and combustion enhancement occur at the same site. This segmentation eliminates the need for hydrogen transport through city gas networks, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptable to locations without gas network infrastructure while reducing energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the combustion device self-sufficient by producing its own oxygen and hydrogen through local electrolysis, eliminating dependence on external gas networks for hydrogen supply. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by enabling energy storage and utilization without network transport, reducing both energy losses and network compatibility requirements.
4Device complexity
If oxygen produced during electrolysis is not recovered, then the electrolysis process can be simplified, but a large part of the gases produced are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrolysis system multi-functional by having it serve both hydrogen production for combustion enhancement and oxygen production for combustion enrichment. This dual functionality resolves the contradiction by making oxygen recovery beneficial rather than complicating the system, as the oxygen becomes a valuable resource for improving combustion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrolysis system with the combustion system, where both the hydrogen and oxygen produced by electrolysis are utilized in the combustion process. This merging resolves the contradiction by integrating oxygen recovery into the core combustion function, eliminating waste while maintaining system simplicity through functional integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves combustion efficiency, reduces emissions, extends equipment lifespan, and decreases fossil fuel consumption by utilizing locally produced hydrogen and oxygen, with heat recovery enhancing overall efficiency and reducing energy losses.
Implementation Method 1
at least one device for producing hydrogen and/or oxygen by electrolysis of water
Implementation Method 2
the heat energy released by the electrolyser during the generation of hydrogen and/or oxygen is itself used to preheat the water circulating in the combustion device (recovery of lost heat by carrying out cogeneration) by means of a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
combustion devices have limited yields because they mainly use air as comburent/oxidant
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a system for energy and environmental optimisation of a facility comprising at least one combustion apparatus (1) with a burner (3). The system comprises an electrolyser (2) and an injection system (4) connected to at least one fuel (3a) and/or oxidant (3b) inlet of the burner (3). The injection system is capable of injecting, at such an inlet, gases from the electrolyser (2) and/or a mixture of these gases and a combustible fluid and/or an oxidising fluid. The electrolyser (2) and/or the injection system (2) are controlled on the basis of at least one piece of information originating from the combustion apparatus (1) and/or sensors (6x) of the installation. The electrolyser can comprise a heat exchanger (2a) for cooling the device and/or preheating the water (EP) that is intended to then be heated (EC) by the combustion apparatus (1).