CO2 Cycle Power Generation Unit for Carbon Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon dioxide recovery methods from industrial exhaust gases result in significant CO2 emissions due to the need for electric power and heating sources, which can lead to increased costs and environmental impact, especially when renewable energy sources are geographically constrained.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide recovery system utilizing a carbon dioxide cycle power generation unit that employs a power generation turbine driven by carbon dioxide fluid, a CO2 compression device, a heat exchanger, and a combustor mixing carbon dioxide with oxygen and a light hydrocarbon gas, providing energy to a CO2 recovery unit for pressurization and regeneration, thereby reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a compressor is used to pressurize CO2 to a predetermined pressure (200 to 300 bar) for CCS storage, then CO2 can be stored in the ground, but CO2 is emitted during power generation when the compressor is driven with electric power from carbon-containing fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the CO2-containing exhaust gas itself as the working fluid for power generation. The CO2 is pressurized by a compressor driven by a turbine that generates power from the CO2 exhaust gas, creating a self-sustaining system where the CO2 serves both as the substance to be stored and as the energy source to compress it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the CO2 compression process with a power generation process. The turbine and compressor are integrated into a single system where the turbine drives the compressor, merging the energy recovery function with the CO2 pressurization function in one unified apparatus.
2Ease of operation
If fuel containing hydrocarbon is used to generate heating source for regenerating CO2 absorbent in AGRU, then CO2 absorbent can be regenerated, but CO2 is emitted during fuel combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the thermal energy contained in the CO2 exhaust gas itself to regenerate the CO2 absorbent. The hot CO2 exhaust gas passes through a heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy to the absorbent regeneration process, eliminating the need for external fuel combustion and making the system self-sufficient for thermal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful hot CO2 exhaust gas that would normally be released into the atmosphere into a useful resource for heating the CO2 absorbent during regeneration. The waste thermal energy is transformed into a beneficial heating source, turning a harmful emission into a useful function.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used to supply electric power for driving the compressor and heating source for regenerating CO2 absorbent, then CO2 emission can be suppressed, but geographical conditions constrain the use and stable supply of electric power becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates its own electric power requirements internally using a turbine that converts the thermal and kinetic energy of the CO2 exhaust gas into mechanical work to drive the compressor. This self-generated power eliminates dependence on external renewable energy sources and ensures reliable, continuous operation regardless of geographical conditions or weather variations.
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 suppresses CO2 emissions into the atmosphere while reducing costs by using carbon dioxide cycle power generation as an energy source for the recovery unit, improving power generation efficiency, and enhancing combustion efficiency with high-concentration oxygen.
Implementation Method 1
a power generation turbine using a carbon dioxide fluid as a drive fluid
Implementation Method 2
a CO2 first compression device pressurizing the carbon dioxide fluid
Implementation Method 3
a CO2 heat exchanger heating the carbon dioxide fluid pressurized by the CO2 first compression device
Implementation Method 4
a combustor mixing the carbon dioxide fluid heated by the CO2 heat exchanger, oxygen supplied from an air separation device, and a light hydrocarbon gas containing methane as a main component, to combust the light hydrocarbon gas under heating
Data Source
AI summary
A CO2 cycle power generation unit including a power generation turbine using a CO2 fluid as a drive fluid, a CO2 first compression device pressurizing the CO2 fluid after driving the power generation turbine, and a combustor combusting a light hydrocarbon gas containing methane as fuel using oxygen supplied from an air separation device in a state of mixing the pressurized and heated CO2 fluids, wherein a combustion gas obtained by the combustor is supplied to the power generation turbine as a drive fluid, and a CO2 recovery unit recovering CO2 from an exhaust gas emitted by fuel combustion in an external combustion unit. A part of the CO2 fluid emitted from the CO2 cycle power generation unit and CO2 recovered by the CO2 recovery unit are supplied to a CO2 reception unit. Energy obtained by the CO2 cycle power generation unit is supplied to the CO2 recovery unit.