Cargo Vapor Recovery Gas Turbine for Onboard Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating cargo vapors from crude oil tanks are inefficient, requiring external power, and result in low methane recovery and high carbon dioxide emissions, with existing systems achieving only 70-90% non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) recovery and no methane recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that separates cargo vapors into liquid volatile organic compounds (LVOC) and surplus gas, using a gas turbine for electricity production by substituting air supply with surplus gas, thereby increasing compressor efficiency and utilizing the energy from VOC recovery for power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If external power is used to operate vapor treatment systems, then treatment capability is provided, but energy consumption increases and cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the cargo vapors themselves as fuel to generate electricity that powers the vapor treatment process. The gas turbine combusts cargo vapors to produce mechanical energy, which drives a generator to produce electrical power, creating a self-sufficient system that does not require external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful cargo vapors that need to be treated into a useful fuel source. By combusting the cargo vapors in the gas turbine, the system generates electricity while simultaneously treating the vapors, turning an environmental problem into an energy solution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional vapor treatment systems are used, then cargo vapor treatment is achieved, but system size becomes large and cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the vapor treatment function with power generation in a single integrated system. The gas turbine serves dual purposes: treating cargo vapors by combusting them and generating electricity simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate treatment and power generation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas turbine performs multiple functions: it acts as a vapor treatment device, a power generation engine, and an energy recovery system. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity and size compared to conventional separate systems.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If incineration facilities with pilot fuel are used, then cargo vapor combustion is achieved, but fuel consumption increases and carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding pilot fuel to combust cargo vapors, the system uses the cargo vapors themselves as the primary fuel source. This eliminates the need for additional fuel while maintaining effective combustion and reducing overall fuel consumption and associated emissions.
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 enhances the overall efficiency of the system by 20-40% by recovering energy applied during VOC processing and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, while providing a compact and cost-effective solution for direct electrical power production.
Implementation Method 1
separating the cargo vapors into liquid volatile organic compounds (LVOC) and surplus gas in a condensation type VOC recovery plant
Implementation Method 2
combusting the mixture of air, surplus gas and the liquid volatile organic compounds in the combustor
Implementation Method 3
passing the mixture through a gas turbine expander connected to a generator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
System and method for treating cargo vapors from crude oil and petroleum products tanks (2) to generate electrical power. The system and method comprising the steps: separating the cargo vapors into liquid volatile organic compounds (LVOC) and compressed surplus gas in a VOC recovery plant (1). Providing a gas turbine (6) having a compressor (7), a combustion chamber (8) and an expander (9). Feeding the compressed surplus gas to the combustion chamber (8). Feeding the liquid volatile organic compounds (LVOC) to the combustion chamber (8) as pilot fuel. Feeding air to the compressor (7) operated by the expander (9), where feeding the compressed air to the combustion chamber (8) is reduced proportionally to the feeding of the surplus gas, and combusting the compressed air, surplus gas and the liquid volatile organic compounds (LVOC) in the combustion chamber (8) and using the combustion for operating a generator (12) with the gas turbine (6) to generate electrical power.