Waste Heat Recovery from CO2 Compression for Coal Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture processes generate significant waste heat during compression, which is not effectively utilized, leading to inefficiencies in fossil fuel power stations, particularly in drying coal before combustion.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that captures waste heat from the CO2 compression process and redirects it to a fuel treatment system for coal drying, utilizing heated air streams to preheat and dry coal, thereby improving overall plant efficiency and reducing steam consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CO2 compression is performed during carbon capture process, then CO2 can be transported and stored, but significant waste heat is generated that reduces plant efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated during CO2 compression into a beneficial resource by directing it to dry lignite coal before combustion. The compression heat, which was previously discarded, is now utilized to reduce coal moisture content, thereby improving overall plant efficiency and eliminating energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the air stream by passing it through the CO2 compression process, where it absorbs heat and increases in temperature. This heated air is then used in the coal drying process, transforming the thermal energy from the compression stage into useful drying capacity.
2Productivity
If lignite coal is dried using traditional methods (steam or flue gas), then moisture content is reduced for efficient combustion, but additional energy resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the CO2 compression process serve multiple functions: it not only compresses CO2 for storage but also dries the lignite coal simultaneously. The air stream used in compression is redirected to the drying process, allowing one system to perform both compression and drying functions without requiring separate energy inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 compression process serves itself by utilizing its own generated heat to dry the coal. The system is self-sufficient in terms of drying energy, as the heat required for coal drying is provided by the compression process itself rather than requiring external steam or flue gas resources.
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
The system effectively recovers waste heat from the CO2 compression process and uses it to dry coal, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the need for steam in coal drying operations, thus improving overall plant efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
capturing heat released during the compression process
Implementation Method 2
providing the heat released during the compression process to a fuel treatment process
Data Source
AI summary
A system and process for capturing CO2 100 is disclosed. The process 100 includes reusing heat from a CO2 compression process 120 by providing the heat to a fuel treatment process 130. The heat may used to dry a fossil fuel to improve the efficiency of the fossil fuel combustion.