Captured CO2 Fuel Storage for Peak-Demand Energy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenges of capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide emissions economically while addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources and providing a reliable, on-demand energy source are unresolved, with current carbon capture and storage systems being costly and inefficient, and renewable energy sources facing unpredictability and fragility.
Innovation Solution
Transforming captured carbon dioxide emissions into a higher energy state fluid, storing it as a fuel source, and utilizing it for energy production during peak demand, leveraging off-peak renewable energy for transformation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon dioxide capture equipment is installed at power plants, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the cost of capturing and storing CO2 increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts CO2, traditionally viewed as a harmful waste product requiring expensive capture and storage, into a beneficial fuel source. By transforming CO2 emissions into synthetic natural gas or liquid fuels through chemical processes (such as the Sabatier reaction or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis), the system eliminates the need for costly carbon capture and storage infrastructure while simultaneously producing valuable energy carriers. This approach turns the harmful factor (CO2 emissions) into a resource that generates economic value and reduces net emissions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but energy supply becomes intermittent and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using excess renewable energy during periods of high generation (when wind blows or sun shines) to produce fuel through CO2 conversion processes. This fuel is then stored and used during periods when renewable energy is unavailable, effectively pre-storing energy in chemical form. This approach smooths out the intermittency of renewable sources by decoupling energy production from consumption timing, ensuring reliable supply regardless of weather conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If CO2 is converted to fuel through chemical processes, then CO2 utilization value increases, but the complexity of the conversion system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a CO2 conversion system that can produce multiple different fuel products from the same input stream. The system can generate synthetic natural gas (methane), liquid hydrocarbons, or other carbon-based fuels depending on process conditions and catalyst selection. This multi-functionality allows the same core technology platform to serve diverse energy needs and market demands, justifying the conversion system complexity through versatile output capabilities that can adapt to different应用场景.
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
Provides a cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly method to store and utilize carbon dioxide emissions as a fuel, stabilizing energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing grid stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor capable of transforming the captured carbon dioxide emissions of the feedstock stream into a carbon dioxide fluid
Implementation Method 2
a turbine capable of using the fuel source to produce an output energy and a discharged carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of utilizing captured carbon dioxide emissions as a fuel source for the production of energy. The captured carbon dioxide emissions can be transformed into a carbon dioxide fluid having a higher energy state and stored as a fuel source, whereby the fuel source can be consumed at a desired time for the production of energy. The carbon dioxide fluid can be generated from a feedstock of the carbon dioxide emissions during periods of low energy demand, such as utilizing electricity during off-peak, which can then be used as a fuel source for energy production during periods of high energy demand. The electricity during off-peak preferably being from a renewable energy source, such as wind or solar power. The source of captured carbon dioxide emissions can be from an industrial source, such as the flue gas of a power plant, emissions from a cement plant, the emissions from a fermenter of an ethanol plant or brewery, or the combustion of fuels.