Closed-Cycle Quench for Partial Oxidation Power With Carbon Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power production systems using solid fuels face challenges in achieving high efficiency while simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide emissions, particularly due to the presence of solid and inert nitrogen gas contents in combustion products, which complicates carbon sequestration and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a partial oxidation reactor system that utilizes a quench cooling fluid to cool the partial oxidation stream from high temperatures to lower temperatures, allowing for the separation of ash particles and recovery of heat, which is then integrated with a power production system to maximize efficiency and facilitate carbon capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional combustion of solid fuel is used, then power generation can be achieved, but efficiency is reduced and carbon capture becomes difficult due to solid ash and nitrogen gas contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidcarbon emissions and solid ash

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the combustion process by using partial oxidation instead of complete combustion, operating at controlled temperatures and pressures to produce a synthesis gas mixture that can be efficiently processed for both power generation and carbon capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts carbon dioxide from the partial oxidation product stream separately from the energy generation process, allowing independent optimization of power production efficiency and carbon capture purity without the contamination issues of conventional combustion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If partial oxidation reactor with quench cooling is used, then high efficiency power generation and carbon capture can be achieved simultaneously, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiency with carbon captureVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the partial oxidation reactor, quench cooling system, ash separation unit, and carbon capture system into an integrated process flow where multiple functions are achieved in sequence without requiring separate standalone systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The partial oxidation product stream serves multiple purposes: it provides combustible gases for power generation, contains separated ash for disposal, and yields concentrated carbon dioxide for capture, allowing a single process to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If quench cooling fluid is introduced to cool partial oxidation stream, then heat can be recovered and efficiency improved, but additional equipment and process steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat recoveryVSAvoidcooling system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful high temperature of the partial oxidation stream, which would otherwise require extensive cooling, into a beneficial resource by using quench cooling to rapidly reduce temperature while simultaneously recovering heat for other process uses, turning an energy loss into an energy recovery opportunity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 enables high efficiency power production while achieving simultaneous carbon capture, with the recovered heat enhancing the overall efficiency of the power production system and reducing carbon emissions.

Implementation Method 1

a quench cooling fluid to cool the partial oxidation stream from high temperatures to lower temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a partial oxidation reactor to achieve high efficiency combustion of a solid fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPartial oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

systems and methods for generation of power, such as electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat engine: Heat Engine

Data Source

PatentUS9581082B2Partial oxidation reaction with closed cycle quench

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 8 RIVERS CAPITAL LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a power production system that is adapted to achieve high efficiency power production with complete carbon capture when using a solid or liquid hydrocarbon or carbonaceous fuel. More particularly, the solid or liquid fuel first is partially oxidized in a partial oxidation reactor. The resulting partially oxidized stream that comprises a fuel gas is quenched, filtered, cooled, and then directed to a combustor of a power production system as the combustion fuel. The partially oxidized stream is combined with a compressed recycle CO2 stream and oxygen. The combustion stream is expanded across a turbine to produce power and passed through a recuperator heat exchanger. The expanded and cooled exhaust stream is scrubbed to provide the recycle CO2 stream, which is compressed and passed through the recuperator heat exchanger and the POX heat exchanger in a manner useful to provide increased efficiency to the combined systems.