Cycle Piston Engine Power System With CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power systems face challenges in reducing emissions and operating efficiently under varying ambient pressures, particularly in special applications like undersea environments or high altitudes, where exhaust gas recirculation and oxygen management are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A semi-closed cycle piston engine power system integrating oxygen generation, CO2 capture and cleanup, and heat recovery using a molecular sieve approach, with a supercritical Brayton CO2 cycle for improved efficiency and reduced emissions, allowing operation at higher than ambient pressures and enabling the use of low heating value fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional power systems vent combustion products to air, then system simplicity is maintained, but environmental pollution increases and emissions regulations are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts harmful combustion products (CO, NOx, SO2, unburned hydrocarbons) from the exhaust stream using specific removal devices, separating them from the cleaned exhaust gas that is then recirculated to the engine intake, thereby eliminating harmful emissions while maintaining system operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cleaning system between the exhaust manifold and engine intake, including CO removal devices, NOx removal devices, and particle separation devices that act as mediators to eliminate harmful substances before recirculation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If exhaust gas is recirculated to reduce emissions, then harmful emissions are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the exhaust gas recirculation system to serve multiple functions simultaneously: CO removal, NOx removal, particle separation, and heat recovery, allowing a single integrated system to address multiple emission concerns without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple emission control functions (CO removal, NOx removal, particle separation) into an integrated exhaust gas treatment system that processes multiple contaminants through a unified recirculation pathway
3Ease of operation
If operating pressure is tied to ambient pressure in undersea applications, then system operation is simplified, but engine cycle efficiency decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable geometry turbocharger components and adjustable exhaust gas recirculation rates that can dynamically adapt to different operating conditions and pressure differentials, optimizing engine performance across varying ambient pressure conditions including undersea environments
4Ease of operation
If operating pressure is reduced to match ambient pressure at high altitudes, then system operation is simplified, but specific power and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes variable geometry turbocharger components and adjustable exhaust gas recirculation systems that can change operating parameters to compensate for reduced ambient pressure at high altitudes, maintaining specific power and efficiency by optimizing intake pressure and exhaust recirculation rates
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 non-emissive power production with improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness, generating saleable CO2 at pressure while reducing capital costs and enhancing combustion performance by independently controlling oxygen levels and diluent ratios.
Implementation Method 1
a molecular sieve approach CO2 capture and cleanup subsystem (6) for producing pressurized CO2 from at least a portion of the exhaust gas
Implementation Method 2
a water cooling and separation unit (3) which receives the exhaust gas and cools and removes water from the exhaust gas to create CO2 gas supply
Implementation Method 3
the heat recovery unit generates additional power via the super critical Brayton CO2 cycle
Implementation Method 4
the heat recovery unit generates additional power via the super critical Brayton CO2 cycle
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a cycle piston engine power system in which a compression ignition or spark ignition reciprocating piston engine is made non-emissive via a semi-closed cycle, in a manner which produces saleable CO2 product at pressure. The cycle piston engine power system can includes, among other elements, a piston engine for generating power and exhaust gas; a water cooling and separation unit which receives the exhaust gas and cools and removes water from the exhaust gas to create CO2 gas supply; a mixing pressure vessel which receives at least a portion of the CO2 gas supply from the water cooling and separation unit and mixes the CO2 gas supply with oxygen to create a working fluid to be provided to the piston engine; and an oxygen generator for providing oxygen to the mixing pressure vessel.