Data Center CO2 Capture Using Waste Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial facilities lack an efficient process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while minimizing costs, as current hydrocarbon reduction technologies do not effectively address the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
A data center powered by waste gas/flare gas from a natural gas production facility, utilizing natural gas generators, post-combustion capture for CO2 removal, and waste heat recovery to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions, with the captured CO2 being compressed and sequestered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If waste gas/flare gas is used for power generation at the data center, then energy efficiency is improved and costs are reduced, but greenhouse gas emissions from the natural gas production facility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful flue gas containing CO2 from the natural gas generators into a valuable resource by capturing and sequestering it. The post-combustion capture facility captures CO2 from the flue gas, and the sequestration facility permanently stores it, transforming the harmful emission into a benefit by preventing it from reaching the atmosphere while simultaneously providing a carbon-negative operation that offsets other emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into an integrated system: power generation from waste gas, waste heat recovery for regeneration, CO2 capture, and sequestration. This combination creates a synergistic effect where the data center's waste heat is used to drive the CO2 capture process, and the captured CO2 is sequestered to offset emissions, achieving multiple environmental and economic benefits simultaneously
2Object-generated harmful factors
If post combustion capture facilities are implemented, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the cost of implementation and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CO2 capture facility with existing data center operations, using the data center's waste heat to drive the regeneration process in the post-combustion capture facility. This integration eliminates the need for separate energy sources and reduces operational costs. The system merges power generation, waste heat recovery, CO2 capture, and sequestration into a unified process that leverages existing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own waste resources to power key processes: the data center's waste heat is used for regeneration in the CO2 capture facility, and the captured CO2 is sequestered to offset emissions from the entire system. This self-service approach minimizes external inputs and reduces operational costs while maintaining environmental benefits
3Use of energy by moving object
If waste heat recovery is used for regeneration in the post combustion capture facility, then energy efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the thermal management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the waste heat recovery system with the CO2 capture facility's regeneration process. The thermal management system is integrated with the existing data center cooling infrastructure, using waste heat that would otherwise be discarded to drive the regeneration process. This combination simplifies the overall system by utilizing already-present thermal streams rather than requiring entirely separate heating 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
This approach effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing waste resources for power generation and CO2 capture, improving facility efficiency and minimizing costs through synergistic use of waste heat and flue gas.
Implementation Method 1
waste heat from the data center is combined with the waste heat from the flue gas through a waste heat recovery unit transferring the waste heat into a heat medium such as steam or hot oil
Implementation Method 2
post combustion capture facility for carbon dioxide (CO2) removal
Implementation Method 3
the entrained steam used in the desorption at the post combustions capture facility
Implementation Method 4
the entrained steam used in the desorption at the post combustions capture facility may be separated at a water dehydration unit
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, facilities, and methods for post combustion capture of emissions from a natural gas generator used to power a data center disclosed herein. The facility includes a process for capturing and sequestering CO2 from a post combustion capture of the natural gas generator utilizing the heat from the flue gas and from the data center. The CO2 rich streams from the post combustion capture system are sent to sequestration of some form via a sequestration compressor, thereby reducing the overall emissions from the facility.