Direct Air Capture Coolant Loop for Heat-Electricity Balance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Rankine cycle power plants are poorly balanced between temperature and electricity generation for direct air capture, utilizing complex and difficult-to-reconfigure systems with multiple turbines, condensers, and reheaters.
Innovation Solution
A simplified coolant loop system that integrates a direct air capture assembly, utilizing high-pressure turbine coolant for direct air capture, eliminating lower-pressure turbines and condensers, and using heat exchangers to condition coolant for optimal capture, with a balanced heat-to-electricity ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional Rankine cycle power plant uses multiple turbines, condensers, and reheaters, then electricity generation capability is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of reconfiguration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power plant into two distinct operational modes: a power generation mode using high-pressure turbines and condensers, and a direct air capture mode using the same equipment for thermal processing. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for either electricity generation or substance capture depending on operational requirements, reducing the need for complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the system can adjust operational parameters and flow paths to switch between power generation and direct air capture modes. This dynamic adaptability allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple functions without requiring permanent complex configurations for both modes simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If the system is simplified by removing lower-pressure turbines and condensers, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to generate both heat and electricity for direct air capture is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure turbine and condenser are designed to serve multiple functions: generating electricity during power mode and providing thermal energy for direct air capture during capture mode. This multi-functionality allows the simplified system to maintain both heat and electricity generation capabilities using fewer components, achieving the desired energy balance without increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the working fluid (temperature, pressure, flow rate) to optimize performance for different operational modes. By adjusting these parameters, the same equipment can efficiently generate electricity or provide thermal energy for direct air capture, maintaining energy balance flexibility without requiring additional components.
3Productivity
If the system maintains a balanced heat-to-electricity ratio for optimal direct air capture, then productivity of substance capture is improved, but system reconfiguration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the heat-to-electricity ratio and automatically adjust operational parameters to maintain optimal balance for direct air capture. This feedback control enables the system to achieve high substance capture productivity while using standardized, relatively simple reconfiguration procedures rather than complex manual adjustment systems.
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
Achieves steady-state, long-term direct air capture with improved heat-to-electricity ratios and simplified system design, enabling efficient capture of substances like carbon dioxide.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source, to an extractor like a turbine, to a direct air capture assembly, and back to the heat source
Implementation Method 2
turbine island 10 for multiple stages of energy extraction. High-pressure turbine 11 may initially receive the energetic fluid at its highest pressure and extract rotational energy
Implementation Method 3
through regenerative adsorption media adsorbing carbon dioxide from atmospheric air
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide heat from extraction and transfer systems for direct air capture. Electricity may be provided to operate the systems. Direct air capture apparatuses work on heat from a coolant loop in the system, to replace condensers, heat sinks, feed reheaters, multiple turbines, and/or fluid separators. Heat, and potentially electricity, are generated in a more heat-favored balance in example systems, to more efficiently power direct air capture. Individual direct air capture units are heated and/or cooled by the fluid coolant to cycle through adsorption and/or desorption. Units may be operated based on their stage of direct air capture, with coolant being differently directed as units' operations and needed temperatures change. Coolant itself may move through different stages of units as it loses and/or gains heat. Systems and methods may be installed in new power extraction plants or retrofitted into existing systems by removal of multiple turbines and condensers.