Blowdown Water Electrolysis for Low-CO2 Steam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural gas processing plants emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide during the combustion of fuel to generate steam and electricity, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
Generate hydrogen gas from blowdown water through electrolysis and use it to supplement the fuel in the combustion process, reducing the amount of natural gas combusted and thereby decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If natural gas is combusted to generate steam and electricity, then energy is produced, but carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts waste blowdown water, which contains dissolved solids and is typically discarded, into a valuable resource by using it as feedstock for electrolysis to produce hydrogen gas. This hydrogen then replaces natural gas as fuel, converting a harmful waste stream into a beneficial low-carbon energy source that reduces CO2 emissions while maintaining steam generation capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fuel from natural gas (hydrocarbons) to hydrogen gas produced via electrolysis of blowdown water. This parameter change fundamentally alters the combustion products, eliminating CO2 emissions while maintaining the energy production function through hydrogen combustion
2Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrogen gas is produced through electrolysis of blowdown water, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but additional processing equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the plant's own waste blowdown water as the feedstock for hydrogen production via electrolysis. This eliminates the need for external water sources or additional raw material inputs, allowing the system to sustain itself using internally generated waste streams, thereby reducing CO2 emissions without requiring complex external supply chains
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolysis unit serves multiple functions: it processes waste blowdown water that would otherwise be discarded, produces hydrogen gas fuel to replace natural gas, and generates oxygen as a byproduct. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate waste treatment systems and fuel supply systems, offsetting the added complexity with consolidated operational benefits
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
The use of hydrogen gas generated from electrolysis reduces carbon dioxide emissions by minimizing the combustion of methane and other hydrocarbons, effectively lowering the overall CO2 output of the natural gas processing plant.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting blowdown water from the boiler and the HRSG to electrolysis, thereby generating hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 2
combusting the hydrogen gas in the furnace
Data Source
AI summary
Operating a natural gas processing plant, including receiving feed natural gas and processing the feed natural gas to give product natural gas. The processing includes removing acid gas, water, and non-methane hydrocarbons from the feed natural gas. The method includes providing fuel to a furnace and combusting the fuel in the furnace to heat a boiler to generate steam. The method generating steam with an HRSG. The method includes subjecting blowdown water from the boiler and the HRSG to electrolysis, thereby generating hydrogen gas. The method includes combining the hydrogen gas with the fuel and combusting the hydrogen gas in the furnace.