Dual Closed Loop Brayton Rankine Cycle System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power plants face inefficiencies and environmental concerns due to reliance on fossil fuels, leading to air pollution, resource depletion, and complex mitigation measures that increase costs and reduce reliability.
Innovation Solution
A combined Brayton/Rankine cycle gas and steam turbine generating system operating in two closed loops, using enhanced groundwater or hot geothermal fluids and burning only hydrogen and oxygen instead of fossil fuels, with heat energy transferred between loops to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fossil fuels are used in conventional power plants, then energy production is achieved, but air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel from hydrocarbon-based fossil fuels to hydrogen-based fuel. This fundamental parameter change eliminates carbon-containing compounds, thereby preventing carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining energy production capability through hydrogen combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a closed-loop system that creates a controlled environment where combustion products are recirculated and processed. The system maintains an inert-like environment by continuously recycling exhaust gases through the heat exchanger, preventing harmful emissions from escaping to the atmosphere.
2Loss of energy
If waste heat is dissipated in cooling towers or reservoirs, then heat management is achieved, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous heat recovery process where exhaust gases from the turbine continuously pass through the heat exchanger to preheat the working fluid. This continuous action ensures that waste heat is consistently captured and converted into useful thermal energy, maintaining high energy efficiency throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the temperature and pressure of exhaust gases are continuously monitored and used to optimize heat exchanger operation. The recirculated exhaust gases provide feedback to the combustion chamber, allowing for precise control of the combustion process to maximize energy recovery efficiency.
3Power
If air is used as oxidizing agent in gas turbines, then combustion is achieved, but heat losses from heating nitrogen and other air components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes nitrogen and other inert components from the oxidizing agent, using pure oxygen instead of atmospheric air. This extraction eliminates the need to heat large amounts of nitrogen that do not participate in combustion, thereby reducing heat losses and improving thermal efficiency while maintaining the required combustion power.
4Device complexity
If conventional open loop cycles are used, then simplicity is maintained, but heat energy is not recirculated and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the exhaust gas flow with the incoming working fluid flow through the heat exchanger, creating a combined flow path that enables continuous heat recovery. This merging of flows allows the system to capture and reuse waste heat without requiring separate complex heat recovery systems, thereby improving efficiency with minimal additional complexity.
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 system achieves greater efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and extends equipment life while maintaining a compact footprint and lower operational costs, producing electricity with minimal carbon-based emissions.
Implementation Method 1
burning only hydrogen and oxygen instead of a fossil fuel
Implementation Method 2
heating the steam turbine loop with heat energy from the gas turbine loop
Implementation Method 3
combined Brayton/Rankine cycle gas and steam turbine generating system
Implementation Method 4
combined Brayton/Rankine cycle gas and steam turbine generating system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A combined cycle dual closed loop electric generating system, comprising a gas turbine assembly (comprising a combustion chamber, a compressor, a first pump, a first driveshaft, a gas turbine and a first generator) and a steam turbine assembly (comprising a second pump, a second driveshaft, a steam turbine and a second generator). Said first portion of said working fluid circulates through said gas turbine assembly and a first heat exchanger. Said second portion of said working fluid circulates through said steam turbine assembly and said first heat exchanger. Said first heat exchanger transfers a first heat energy from said gas turbine loop to said steam turbine loop. Said gas turbine assembly generates a first portion of an electric output. Said steam turbine assembly generates a second portion of said electric output.