Closed Regenerative Combined Cycle Power Plant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combined cycle power plants emit greenhouse gases like CO2 and NOx due to open Brayton cycles, which compromise both efficiency and environmental impact, as they require external air and combustion products are discharged into the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A closed regenerative combined cycle system using water as a thermal fluid, incorporating a Brayton cycle and a Rankine cycle interconnected with a heat pump, which recycles thermal energy and captures CO2 internally, eliminating atmospheric emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an open Brayton cycle is used with external air intake and combustion, then mechanical energy can be generated, but greenhouse gases (CO2 and NOx) are emitted into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the open atmosphere with a closed inert environment where combustion products are continuously recirculated. The working fluid becomes a controlled mixture of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor that is reused within the system, preventing emissions to the external atmosphere while maintaining combustion processes for power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding combustion products into the atmosphere, the system recovers and recirculates them. The exhaust gases containing CO2 and H2O are captured, conditioned, and fed back into the combustion chamber, creating a closed loop that eliminates emissions while maintaining continuous power generation.
2Power
If combustion temperature is increased to improve efficiency, then mechanical work output increases, but NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a closed system with controlled gas composition (recirculating CO2 and H2O with supplemental oxygen), the patent eliminates the formation of thermal NOx that occurs in open air combustion. The inert-like recirculated atmosphere prevents the high-temperature oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen that produces NOx, while still allowing high-temperature combustion for efficient power generation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a closed cycle is used to eliminate emissions, then greenhouse gas discharge is prevented, but the system complexity increases due to continuous separation and purification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a homogeneous recirculating atmosphere where the working fluid composition remains relatively stable and uniform throughout the system. By maintaining consistent concentrations of O2, CO2, and H2O through continuous recirculation and supplemental addition, the system avoids the need for complex separation and purification equipment that would be required if heterogeneous gas mixtures needed to be processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed cycle system is self-sustaining, using its own exhaust products as part of the combustion air supply. The recirculated gases automatically maintain the atmospheric composition needed for combustion, eliminating the need for external separation, purification, or makeup systems beyond simple supplemental oxygen addition.
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 system enhances efficiency and captures CO2 intrinsically, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining or improving performance compared to conventional cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump which makes up a closed circuit that regenerates the constituent Brayton cycle
Implementation Method 2
the exhaust gases from this leave the burner at a high temperature with excess air, constituting the thermal fluid of an open Brayton cycle, which is expanded in a gas turbine, generating mechanical work
Implementation Method 3
where steam is generated which is applied to a turbine that generates additional mechanical work following an independent Rankine cycle
Implementation Method 4
steam is generated which is applied to a turbine that generates additional mechanical work
Implementation Method 5
after pressurization in a compressor
Implementation Method 6
passes to a combustion chamber where the fuel is burned
Data Source
AI summary
A facility for generating mechanical energy by means of a combined power cycle is disclosed herein, which includes at least means for carrying out a closed or semi-closed, constituent regenerative Brayton cycle, which uses water as a heat-transfer fluid, means for carrying out at least one Rankine cycle, a constituent fundamental Rankine cycle, interconnected with the regenerative Brayton cycle, and a heat pump (UAX) including a closed circuit that regenerates the constituent regenerative Brayton cycle, as well as to the method for generating energy using the facility.