Method and system for power production with improved efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power production methods fail to simultaneously achieve high efficiency and carbon capture, particularly in closed cycle combustion systems using CO2 as a working fluid, due to limitations in heat transfer and pressure ratios, leading to suboptimal efficiency and increased capital costs.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of additive heating to a recycle CO2 stream in an elevated pressure oxy-fuel combustion system, utilizing heat from compression of the CO2 stream, in combination with recuperative heating from the hot turbine exhaust, to enhance power generation efficiency and capture CO2 and other impurities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional power production methods are used, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but high efficiency and carbon capture cannot be simultaneously achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines carbon capture functionality with power generation by integrating a closed-cycle combustion system where CO2 is both the working fluid and the captured carbon product. The system merges the combustion chamber, heat exchangers, turbine, and CO2 compression/recycle functions into a unified process that simultaneously generates power and captures carbon, resolving the contradiction between efficiency improvement and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

CO2 serves multiple functions within the system: it acts as the working fluid in the closed-cycle combustion process, the heat transfer medium in the heat exchangers, and the final captured carbon product for sequestration or utilization. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high efficiency power generation while inherently providing carbon capture without requiring entirely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If heat from turbine exhaust is used for recuperative heating, then energy efficiency is improved, but additional heat sources are needed to achieve optimal efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat utilization efficiencyVSAvoidheat source requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous heat recovery by using the turbine exhaust to加热 the compressed CO2 in the heat exchanger, ensuring that thermal energy is continuously utilized rather than wasted. This recuperative heating process maintains continuous useful action by converting exhaust heat into useful thermal energy for the combustion process, improving overall energy efficiency while managing heat source requirements through systematic heat exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If pressure ratios are increased to improve efficiency, then power generation efficiency increases, but capital costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidcapital cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the pressure ratio parameter within a specific range (5:1 to 12:1) to achieve high efficiency while controlling capital costs. By carefully selecting and maintaining the pressure ratio within this optimized range, the system maximizes power generation efficiency without requiring excessively high pressure ratios that would demand more expensive equipment and infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency improvement and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 increases power production efficiency by providing additional heat to the CO2 stream, optimizing heat exchange, and allowing for higher pressure ratios, resulting in improved energy output and reduced capital costs while effectively capturing CO2 and impurities.

Implementation Method 1

cooling of the turbine exhaust in a recuperative heat exchanger, which heats the previously compressed recycle CO2 stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

additive heating of at least part of the recycle CO2 stream in a heat exchanger using heat derived at least in part from compression of at least a portion of the recycle CO2 stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

heat derived at least in part from compression of at least a portion of the recycle CO2 stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic heating: Adiabatic Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3167175B1Method and system for power production with improved efficiency
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 8 RIVERS CAPITAL LLC
  • EP3167175B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3167175B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3167175B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a system and method that provide power generation using predominantly C02as a working fluid. In particular, the present disclosure provides for the use of a portion of the heat of compression from a C02compressor as the additive heating necessary to increase the overall efficiency of a power production system and method.