Integrated Combustion System Waste Heat Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional combustion devices suffer from high energy waste, incomplete combustion leading to pollution, and high power consumption, with limited efficiency and safety concerns in hydrogen usage, necessitating an integrated system for waste heat recycling and hydrogen-assisted combustion to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

An integrated combustion device power saving system that includes a hydrogen generation device, smoke distributing device, hydrogen-generation fuel preheating device, power generating device, and heat recycling device, where waste heat from flue gas is used to generate hydrogen-rich gases for improved combustion efficiency and convert heat into electricity, reducing fuel consumption and pollution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If waste heat from flue gas is discharged directly without recycling, then the system operation is simple, but energy is wasted and combustion efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste heat lossVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the waste heat recovery function with the hydrogen generation function into a single integrated system. The flue gas heat exchanger recovers waste heat from exhaust gases and uses it to heat water for hydrogen production, combining energy recovery and chemical production in one system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts harmful waste heat and CO2 emissions into beneficial resources. The heat recycler captures waste heat from flue gas to generate steam for hydrogen production, while the CO2 from hydrogen generation is fed back to the combustion device, transforming environmental hazards into energy resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If hydrogen is used as fuel to improve combustion efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but safety risks increase due to hydrogen's explosive properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water as an intermediary medium to safely handle hydrogen. Hydrogen is generated by heating water in a closed container, and the steam produced is used for combustion. This intermediary approach allows hydrogen utilization while maintaining safety through controlled phase change and pressure management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains safety by controlling the hydrogen generation environment. The closed container and controlled heating process create a safe environment for hydrogen production, preventing accidental ignition while the generated hydrogen is immediately utilized in the combustion process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Reliability

If external power grid is used to power combustion device peripheral devices, then operation is reliable, but electricity cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoidelectricity consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates its own electricity through a generator driven by the hydrogen combustion process. The combustion device powers the generator, which produces electricity to run peripheral devices like pumps and control systems, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating external power grid dependence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of substance

If fuel consumption is reduced to save costs, then operating cost decreases, but combustion completeness may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidincomplete combustion products
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel by introducing hydrogen-rich gas into the combustion process. This parameter change improves combustion completeness and reduces harmful emissions while actually reducing overall fuel consumption, as hydrogen has higher combustion efficiency and produces cleaner burning.

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

The system achieves significant fuel savings, improves flue gas quality, prolongs heat recycling device lifespan, and reduces reliance on external power grids by utilizing waste heat for hydrogen production and electricity generation, thereby enhancing combustion efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrogen generation device for generating a hydrogen-rich gas from water or a mixture of hydrocarbon and water through decomposition at a high temperature into oxycarbide and hydrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 2

combusion is a high-temperature exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant, usually atmospheric oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a heat recycler for recycling waste heat of exhaust flue gas from the combustion device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

a power generator for converting waste heat into electricity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermodynamic power generation: Heat Engine

Data Source

PatentEP3181835B1Integrated combustion device power saving system
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 IND TECH RES INST
  • EP3181835B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3181835B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3181835B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An integrated combustion device power saving system includes: a hydrogen generation device, for generating a hydrogen-rich gas; a combustion device, for receiving the hydrogen-rich gas for combustion and generating heat energy and flue gas; a smoke distributing device, for distributing flue gas to the hydrogen generation device or atmosphere; a hydrogen-generation feed preheating device, for capturing waste heat of the flue gas from the smoke distributing device to preheat a hydrogen-generation feed to be used in the hydrogen generation device; and a power generating device, for receiving the flue gas from the hydrogen-generation feed preheating device while recycling waste heat of the flue gas to generate power to at least one of the hydrogen generation device or the combustion device.