CO2 Gasification Reactor for High-Efficiency Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for generating electricity from carbon-containing materials, such as coal and biomass, face inefficiencies due to incomplete combustion leading to thermal generator degradation, high environmental pollutant emissions, and the need for external oxygen supply in advanced systems, which increases costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A process involving gasification of carbon-containing materials with CO2 at high temperature, followed by oxidation and activation reactions to produce a thermal power flow that is converted into electricity without combustion, utilizing a closed-loop system to recycle CO2 and reduce external energy dependence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If combustion is performed under oxidizing atmosphere using surrounding air, then electricity generation is achieved, but thermal yielding is limited to approximately 85% PCI and combustion efficiency degrades due to incrustation
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, gasification in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere converts carbon-containing material into combustible gas; second, combustion of this gas in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere achieves complete burning. This segmentation allows optimal conditions for each stage, preventing incrustation during gasification and maximizing thermal yielding during combustion, thereby resolving the contradiction between power generation and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen concentration parameter is changed between stages: oxygen-deficient atmosphere (low oxygen concentration) during gasification to prevent incomplete combustion deposits, and oxygen-enriched atmosphere (high oxygen concentration) during combustion to maximize thermal yielding. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by optimizing conditions for each process stage.
2Power
If combustion is performed under oxidizing atmosphere, then electricity is generated, but harmful emissions including CO2, NOx, and complex pollutant molecules are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The process segments combustion into gasification and combustion stages, with the intermediate combustible gas serving as a cleaner fuel source. This segmentation allows the actual combustion to occur under controlled oxygen-enriched conditions, reducing the formation of NOx and other pollutants compared to direct air combustion, while still achieving electricity generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Combustible gas acts as an intermediary substance between the carbon-containing material and the final combustion process. By converting solid carbon material into gaseous fuel first, the subsequent combustion produces fewer harmful emissions including reduced CO2, NOx, and complex pollutant molecules, while maintaining electricity generation capability.
3Loss of energy
If oxygen-enriched air or pure oxycombustion systems are used to increase thermal yielding and reduce CO2 concentration, then environment impact is reduced, but system cost increases due to continued oxygen supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The process segments oxygen supply requirements: oxygen-enriched atmosphere is applied only during the combustion stage where it is most needed for maximum thermal yielding, while the gasification stage operates with oxygen-deficient atmosphere using minimal or no external oxygen. This segmentation reduces overall oxygen consumption and associated costs compared to continuous oxygen-enriched combustion, while maintaining high thermal yielding efficiency.
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 process enhances energy yield from carbon materials, reduces environmental impact by minimizing pollutant emissions, and achieves higher electricity generation efficiency while eliminating the need for external oxygen, resulting in a more sustainable and cost-effective energy conversion method.
Implementation Method 1
gasification in a first so-called gasification reactor of carbon-containing raw material with a gaseous flow of gasification containing CO2 at high temperature
Implementation Method 2
oxidation in a second so-called oxidation reactor by said oxygen holders in oxidized state, said molecules of carbon monoxide (CO) being present in said first gaseous flow
Implementation Method 3
activation, in a third so-called activation reactor, of said oxygen holders in reduced state with a so-called gaseous flow of activation containing elements of oxygen
Implementation Method 4
transference of a part of the thermal power as generated during the gasification to the oxygen-poor gaseous flow of activation
Implementation Method 5
conversion into electricity of at least a part of the thermal power of said oxygen-poor gaseous flow of activation at high temperature, e.g. by a steam generator/thermal exchanger system and a turbo alternator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention constitutes a process and system to generate electricity from the conversion of CO2 over carbon-containing raw material. It comprises steps of gasification of the raw material containing carbon by means of a gaseous flow essentially containing CO2, wherein the oxidation of the gaseous flow obtained after the gasification by oxygen holders and the oxidation of deactivated oxygen holders as obtained. The process allows to give value to the global energy as generated by the set of these steps to feed an electricity generating system, such as a turboalternator. The invention also corresponds to a system to perform such a process.