Building Carbon Capture Control for Boiler Flue Gas Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon dioxide generation in buildings, particularly in large metropolitan areas, contributes significantly to global warming, necessitating effective management and reduction strategies to address climate change.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for capturing and processing carbon dioxide emissions from combustion boilers in buildings, involving combustion control, flue gas cooling and separation, carbon dioxide purification, liquefaction, and storage, utilizing a carbon management system integrated with building energy systems to optimize fuel consumption and generate electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide capture and processing systems are implemented in buildings, then carbon dioxide recovery and emission reduction are improved, but device complexity and initial investment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides carbon dioxide capture into separate functional modules: combustion control unit, flue gas cooling unit, separation unit, purification unit, and liquefaction unit. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex capture process to be managed through independent, specialized components that can be optimized and maintained separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate substances and processes to facilitate carbon dioxide capture, including using absorbent materials in the separation unit, heat transfer fluids in cooling units, and purification agents. These intermediaries enable the transformation and isolation of carbon dioxide from flue gas without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components.
2Manufacturing precision
If flue gas is cooled and processed through multiple units, then carbon dioxide separation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of flue gas in the flue gas cooling unit before it enters the separation and purification units. This pre-cooling step condenses water vapor and reduces gas temperature, facilitating more efficient carbon dioxide separation and purification in subsequent units while reducing the energy required for these processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water vapor in flue gas during cooling, where water condenses from gas to liquid phase. This phase change removes moisture that would interfere with carbon dioxide separation and purification, improving overall efficiency without requiring additional energy-intensive drying steps.
3Loss of energy
If combustion control is optimized to maintain specific oxygen levels, then fuel efficiency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor oxygen levels in the combustion process and adjust fuel and air supply accordingly. This closed-loop control maintains optimal oxygen levels (e.g., 3% free oxygen) to maximize fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide concentration in flue gas, while the automated feedback system manages the complexity of real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes combustion by controlling specific parameters such as oxygen concentration, temperature, and fuel-to-air ratio. By maintaining predetermined parameter ranges (e.g., 3% free oxygen), the system achieves efficient fuel combustion and high carbon dioxide concentration in flue gas, simplifying subsequent capture processes while improving overall energy efficiency.
4Manufacturing precision
If nitrogen is removed from flue gas to produce high purity carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide purity is improved, but processing complexity and nitrogen utilization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts nitrogen, which is typically considered a contaminant in carbon dioxide purification, into a useful resource. The nitrogen removed during purification is captured and utilized in gas expanders/generators to produce cold gas for cooling processes or in dryers to remove moisture from flue gas. This approach reduces waste and offsets some of the energy requirements of the purification process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding nitrogen removed during carbon dioxide purification, the system recovers and reuses it in other process steps. The nitrogen is utilized in gas expanders for cooling applications and in drying processes, transforming a waste stream into a valuable resource that reduces overall system energy consumption and 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
The system achieves high carbon dioxide recovery and efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, enhancing building thermal efficiency, and generating electricity while effectively managing carbon emissions.
Implementation Method 1
combusting the air and fuel within the combustion burner
Implementation Method 2
providing the flue gas to at least one economizer having at least one set of cooling coils conveying the boiler feed water, the providing cooling the flue gas and heating the boiler feed water
Implementation Method 3
removing at least some of the nitrogen from the flue gas to produce greater than about 95% carbon dioxide using a pressure swing adsorption assembly
Implementation Method 4
providing at least some of the nitrogen removed from the flue gas to a gas expander/generator
Implementation Method 5
cooling the compressor with a heat transfer fluid and providing the heat transfer fluid to/from a chiller and/or a cooling tower
Data Source
AI summary
Carbon management systems and carbon optimization systems are provided. The systems can include: processing circuitry operably coupled to a carbon site control module, wherein the carbon site control module is operably engaged with one or more of a carbon resource module, a carbon capture control module, and/or a building management system.