Chemical Looping Combustion Gas Splitter for Syngas Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical looping combustion (CLC) systems for power generation lack an efficient method to split and process syngas, leading to suboptimal energy efficiency and CO2 capture, as they do not utilize a gas splitter to divide the syngas stream for separate processing in reduction and combustion stages.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that includes a gasification subsystem with a gas splitter to split the syngas stream into two substreams, where one is processed in a reducer with an oxygen carrier to form a CO2/H2O stream, and the other is combusted in a combustor to generate power, with heat recovery-steam generation subsystems to enhance energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional CLC system without gas splitter is used, then the system structure is simpler, but the energy efficiency and CO2 capture performance are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the syngas stream into two separate substreams using a gas splitter. One substream is directed to the reduction reactor for CO2 production, while the other is sent to the combustion reactor for power generation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each reaction pathway, improving overall energy efficiency and CO2 capture performance without requiring complete system redesign.
2Manufacturing precision
If syngas is processed in a single reactor stage, then the device complexity is lower, but the CO2 capture efficiency and net electrical efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single reactor stage into two distinct reactor stages: a reduction reactor for CO2-rich stream production and a combustion reactor for power generation. The gas splitter divides the syngas feed between these two stages, enabling precise control over CO2 capture efficiency and electrical efficiency independently, achieving superior performance compared to single-stage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an oxygen carrier as an intermediary substance that circulates between the reduction reactor and combustion reactor. The oxygen carrier mediates the transfer of oxygen from air to syngas, enabling the chemical looping combustion process to achieve both CO2 separation and power generation in an integrated manner without direct mixing of fuel and air streams.
3Power
If the syngas stream is not split, then the system operation is simpler, but the net electrical efficiency and shaft work generation are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the syngas stream into two separate flows using a gas splitter, directing one portion to the reduction reactor and another portion to the combustion reactor. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously produce CO2-rich streams and generate electrical power through the gas turbine, achieving superior net electrical efficiency despite the increased operational complexity of managing multiple streams and reactors.
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 improves energy efficiency and CO2 capture by allowing for separate processing of syngas substreams, increasing net electrical efficiency and reducing specific CO2 emissions, while enabling the generation of both gas turbine and steam turbine shaft work.
Implementation Method 1
a gasifier located downstream of, and fluidly connected to, the fuel heater, the gasifier being configured to gasify the liquid fuel stream with an oxygen-rich stream to form a syngas stream
Implementation Method 2
a reducer located downstream of, and fluidly connected to, the gas splitter, the reducer being configured to oxidize the first syngas substream in the presence of an oxygen carrier to form a CO2/H2O stream
Implementation Method 3
an oxidizer located downstream of, and fluidly connected to, the first solid-gas separator, the oxidizer being configured to oxidize the reduced oxygen carrier in the presence of an oxygen-containing stream to regenerate the oxygen carrier
Implementation Method 4
a combustor located downstream of, and fluidly connected to, the gas splitter and the oxidizer, the combustor combusting the second syngas substream in the presence of an oxygen-containing stream to form an exhaust stream
Implementation Method 5
a first heat exchanger located downstream of, and fluidly connected to, the reducer, the first heat exchanger being configured to form steam by heating a water stream with the CO2/H2O stream
Data Source
AI summary
A chemical looping combustion (CLC) based power generation, particularly using liquid fuel, ensures substantially complete fuel combustion and provides electrical efficiency without exposing metal oxide based oxygen carrier to high temperature redox process. An integrated fuel gasification (reforming)-CLC-followed by power generation model is provided involving (i) a gasification island, (ii) CLC island, (iii) heat recovery unit, and (iv) power generation system. To improve electrical efficiency, a fraction of the gasified fuel may be directly fed, or bypass the CLC, to a combustor upstream of one or more gas turbines. This splitting approach ensures higher temperature (efficiency) in the gas turbine inlet. The inert mass ratio, air flow rate to the oxidation reactor, and pressure of the system may be tailored to affect the performance of the integrated CLC system and process.