Blowerless Carbon Capture System Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon capture systems for post-combustion flue gas in industrial processes are hindered by the need for expensive, large, and maintenance-intensive blowers that consume significant electrical power, posing reliability and efficiency challenges.
Innovation Solution
A carbon capture system design that omits the blower from the flow path between the power plant and the absorber, utilizing increased discharge pressure from the turbine to maintain suitable flue gas pressure, potentially aided by automated pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a blower is included in the flow path to maintain flue gas pressure, then the pressure requirement is met, but system cost, size, and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the blower from the flow path between the power plant and absorber, extracting the problematic component that caused complexity and power consumption issues. The turbine discharge pressure is increased to compensate, eliminating the need for the blower while maintaining required pressure levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine is made to serve a dual function: generating electricity and providing sufficient discharge pressure to the absorber. By increasing the turbine discharge pressure, the same component (turbine) performs both power generation and pressure maintenance, eliminating the need for a separate blower.
2Stress or pressure
If a blower is included in the flow path, then flue gas pressure is maintained, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine performs dual functions of electricity generation and pressure maintenance. By increasing its discharge pressure, it eliminates the need for an electrically-powered blower, reducing overall electrical power consumption of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would normally be waste energy (reduced turbine efficiency due to higher discharge pressure) into a benefit by eliminating the need for the blower's electrical power consumption, achieving net energy savings.
3Stress or pressure
If a blower is included in the flow path, then flue gas pressure is maintained, but system cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is completely removed from the system, eliminating its associated costs, maintenance requirements, and space requirements. The turbine discharge pressure is increased to compensate, using an existing component instead of adding new equipment.
4Device complexity
If turbine discharge pressure is increased to offset blower exclusion, then blowerless operation is achieved, but turbine efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts the trade-off of reduced turbine efficiency as a worthwhile compromise to eliminate the blower. The energy loss from the turbine is offset by eliminating the blower's power consumption, achieving net energy savings and simplified system operation.
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 reduces system costs, size, and power consumption while achieving net energy savings by offsetting the power loss from reduced turbine efficiency, enhancing overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
applies an amine solution to the flue gas for removing carbon dioxide from the flue gas
Implementation Method 2
the turbine rotates a shaft in response to the flue gas; and a generator coupled to the turbine, wherein the generator generates electric power in response to a rotation of the shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
A carbon capture system can include an absorber that can receive flue gas from a power plant and apply an amine solution to the flue gas for removing carbon dioxide from the flue gas. In some examples, the carbon capture system can exclude a blower from a flow path for the flue gas between the power plant and the absorber.