Combined cycle natural gas processing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural gas processing plants that produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) typically discharge carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, and there is a need to reduce these emissions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A combined cycle natural gas processing system that combusts light hydrocarbon gases, by-produced in the LNG plant, with high-purity oxygen and recycles the carbon dioxide fluid through a carbon dioxide cycle, using it for power generation and mechanical energy production, ensuring the CO2 is not released into the atmosphere by supplying it to reception facilities like CCS or EOR facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If light hydrocarbon gas is combusted to generate energy in the LNG plant, then energy for power generation and compressor driving is obtained, but carbon dioxide is discharged to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 emission from combustion into a useful resource by capturing it and utilizing it as the working fluid in a CO2 cycle power plant. The CO2 that would normally be discharged is instead pressurized, heated, and used to drive turbines for power generation, thereby converting a harmful emission into a beneficial energy source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers CO2 from the combustion process rather than discarding it to the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is then reused in the CO2 cycle system, creating a closed-loop system where the emission is recovered and put to productive use, eliminating waste and reducing environmental impact.
2Quantity of substance
If acid gas removal unit separates carbon dioxide from natural gas, then CO2 is removed from the gas stream, but the separated CO2 is released to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the separated CO2, which would normally be a harmful discharge, into a valuable resource. The CO2 from the AGRU is fed into the CO2 cycle power plant where it serves as the working fluid, converting a waste product into a useful commodity for energy generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 acts as an intermediary substance that connects the AGRU and the CO2 cycle power plant. Instead of being a final discharge, the CO2 serves as a medium that transfers energy through the cycle, enabling power generation while preventing atmospheric emission.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a carbon dioxide cycle power plant is introduced to prevent CO2 discharge, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the AGRU and the CO2 cycle power plant into an integrated system where the output of one (separated CO2) becomes the input of the other (CO2 cycle working fluid). This combination eliminates the need for separate CO2 disposal systems and creates a synergistic relationship between gas treatment and power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 cycle power plant serves multiple functions: it generates power for the LNG plant, prevents CO2 emissions, and utilizes the separated CO2 from the AGRU. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving multiple environmental and operational goals.
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 system effectively utilizes thermal energy from the combustion of light hydrocarbon gases and prevents atmospheric release of CO2, achieving significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by recycling and utilizing CO2 within the plant.
Implementation Method 1
a combustor that is provided on an inlet side of the power generation turbine, mixes the pressurized and heated carbon dioxide fluid with a light hydrocarbon gas containing methane as a main component and a high-purity oxygen gas and combusts the carbon dioxide fluid mixed with the light hydrocarbon gas and the high-purity oxygen gas to generate the carbon dioxide fluid containing high-temperature and high-pressure steam
Implementation Method 2
a power generation turbine using a carbon dioxide fluid as a driving fluid, and performs power generation using a carbon dioxide cycle that pressurizes and heats the carbon dioxide fluid discharged from the power generation turbine and supplies the carbon dioxide fluid again to the power generation turbine
Implementation Method 3
Electric power obtained by driving a generator using the power generation turbine is supplied to a power consumption device provided in the natural gas processing plant
Implementation Method 4
a separator that cools the carbon dioxide fluid containing the steam, discharged from the power generation turbine and decompressed, to condense and separate the steam
Implementation Method 5
a carbon dioxide cycle power plant that includes a power generation turbine using a carbon dioxide fluid as a driving fluid, and performs power generation using a carbon dioxide cycle that pressurizes and heats the carbon dioxide fluid discharged from the power generation turbine
Data Source
AI summary
Combined cycle natural gas processing system that does not discharge carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The system is provided with an acid gas removal unit that separates carbon dioxide contained in natural gas, and includes a natural gas processing plant that produces liquefied natural gas, and a carbon dioxide cycle. High energy held by a high-temperature and high-pressure carbon dioxide fluid of the carbon dioxide cycle is converted into electrical energy or mechanical energy and supplied to a power consumption device and an energy consumption device provided in the natural gas processing plant. The carbon dioxide fluid extracted from the carbon dioxide cycle and a carbon dioxide separation stream separated by the acid gas removal unit are supplied to a carbon dioxide reception facility capable of receiving carbon dioxide, so that the carbon dioxide generated with production of the liquefied natural gas is not released to the atmosphere.