CO2 Capture in Low Emission Combined Turbine Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing CO2 emissions in gas turbine power plants are costly and inefficient, particularly due to the low concentration and high volume of CO2 in exhaust streams, and existing carbon capture technologies like amine solvents are problematic with oxygen, SOX, and NOX components.
Innovation Solution
The system combines and recycles exhaust gases from two gas turbines, cooling and compressing them to separate and concentrate CO2, using a portion as a diluent in combustion chambers and another portion to generate additional power or for EOR, thereby facilitating easier CO2 capture and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If amine solvent absorption is used to capture CO2, then CO2 capture is achieved, but the process becomes problematic with oxygen, SOX, and NOX components and reduces power generation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts CO2 from the exhaust stream through physical separation processes (condensation, absorption, adsorption) rather than chemical reaction with amines. This removes the harmful CO2 component while avoiding the reliability issues associated with amine solvents reacting with oxygen, SOX, and NOX present in the exhaust gases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the exhaust stream by cooling it to condense water and CO2, then further processing to separate CO2. This physical parameter-based approach (temperature, pressure changes) avoids the chemical compatibility problems of amine absorption while maintaining CO2 capture effectiveness
2Quantity of substance
If oxyfuel gas turbine is used, then CO2 concentration is increased, but the power required to produce high purity oxygen significantly reduces overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cooling and condensation of the exhaust stream to concentrate CO2 and water before final separation. This preliminary concentration reduces the volume of gas requiring intensive oxygen production, thereby reducing the power consumption penalty associated with oxygen generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water condensation as an intermediary step between the exhaust stream and final CO2 separation. By condensing water first, the system creates a more concentrated CO2 stream that requires less energy-intensive processing, acting as a mediator that reduces overall power consumption
3Object-generated harmful factors
If CO2 is captured from exhaust stack, then CO2 capture is achieved, but the low concentration and large volume result in high capture cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cooling and condensation to concentrate CO2 from the low-concentration exhaust stream. This preliminary action increases CO2 concentration before the final capture step, reducing the volume of gas that needs to be processed and thereby lowering capture costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes temperature and pressure parameters of the exhaust stream to condense water and concentrate CO2. These parameter changes transform the low-concentration, large-volume exhaust into a more concentrated stream, making subsequent capture processes more economical
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 power generation efficiency and reduces costs by concentrating CO2 for easier capture and utilizing the separated gases for power generation and EOR applications.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit configured to cool the combined exhaust stream to generate a cooled recycle stream
Implementation Method 2
a compressor configured to compress the cooled recycle stream to generate a compressed recycle stream
Implementation Method 3
a separator configured to separate the compressed recycle stream into a CO2 effluent stream and a product stream comprising nitrogen, oxygen, argon, or combinations thereof
Implementation Method 4
a first combustion chamber configured to combust a first fuel stream mixed with a first portion of compressed oxidant to generate a first exhaust stream
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for generating power in combined low emission turbine systems and capturing and recovering carbon dioxide from the exhaust. In one or more embodiments, the exhaust from multiple turbine systems is combined, cooled, compressed, and separated to yield a carbon dioxide-containing effluent stream and a nitrogen-containing product stream. Portions of the recycled exhaust streams and the product streams may be used as diluents to regulate combustion in each combustor of the turbine systems.