Combustor Flow Control Using CO2 Ratio Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power production systems face challenges in precisely controlling volumetric flows due to variations in power output, leading to significant changes in system flow rates, particularly in oxy-fuel combustion systems with carbon capture, which complicates the management of fuel and oxidant streams.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a control method using pressure differentials and computer calculations to adjust the chemistry of fuel and oxidant streams, maintaining constant volumetric flow rates by modifying the ratio of carbon dioxide in these streams, thereby stabilizing the combustion process without direct measurement of flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power output varies in a power production plant, then electrical power production meets market demands, but volumetric flow rates through the system change significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the chemistry of fuel and/or oxidant streams by adjusting the ratio of carbon dioxide to other components. This chemical parameter change allows the system to maintain constant volumetric flow rates through the combustor while varying power output, as the changed stream composition compensates for flow rate variations that would normally occur with power changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Carbon dioxide is used as an intermediary substance to mediate between power output requirements and flow rate stability. By injecting CO2 into the fuel and/or oxidant streams, the system can adjust stream chemistry to maintain constant volumetric flow rates while meeting varying electrical power demands.
2Stability of the object's composition
If volumetric flow rates are controlled to remain constant, then combustion process stability is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical flow rate measurement and control with a chemical composition control approach. Instead of using complex flow meters and mechanical control devices, the system controls volumetric flow rate stability by modifying stream chemistry (CO2 ratios), which indirectly maintains flow stability through combustion process characteristics.
3Measurement precision
If direct measurement of flow rates is implemented, then precise flow control is achieved, but measurement and control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses stream chemistry (CO2 ratio) as an intermediary parameter to control volumetric flow rate without direct measurement. By monitoring and controlling the chemical composition of fuel and/or oxidant streams, the system indirectly maintains flow rate stability, avoiding the difficulties of direct flow rate detection in high-temperature combustion environments.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods for controlling volumetric flows of streams into a combustor, and particularly in a combustor utilized in a power production method. A controller can be used to receive a variety of inputs, carry out calculations, and output one or more signals that adjust one or more parameters of one or more of the streams entering the combustor. Such adjustments can be effective to normalize a volumetric flow rate between the combustor and a turbine immediately downstream from the combustor without requiring direct measurement of the volumetric flow rate between the combustor and the turbine immediately downstream from the combustor.