Endothermic Process Energy Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in effectively utilizing electrical energy with fluctuating power in heat-consuming processes, particularly in high-temperature chemical processes, where current technologies rely on oxidative processes that are inefficient and dependent on raw materials, leading to high CO2 emissions and inability to switch between electrical and non-electrical energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for the efficient use of fluctuating electrical energy by integrating it with non-electrical energy sources, such as combustion of natural gas or geothermal energy, to maintain optimal operating conditions in high-temperature processes, reducing CO2 emissions and enabling the use of excess electricity without storage, with an efficiency of over 90%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrical energy with fluctuating power is used directly in heat-consuming processes, then the use of renewable energy increases, but the process stability and product quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between electrical energy and non-electrical energy sources based on real-time availability. The system continuously adjusts the energy mix to maintain stable process conditions despite fluctuations in renewable energy supply, allowing the process to adapt to varying energy inputs while preserving product quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing a hybrid energy system that combines electrical energy with non-electrical energy sources. This parameter change allows the system to compensate for fluctuations in renewable energy by adjusting the contribution of complementary energy sources, thereby maintaining process stability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If only renewable energy sources are used, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the reliability of energy supply deteriorates due to unpredictability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional energy system that can operate with different energy sources depending on availability. The system is designed to handle both renewable energy when available and non-electrical energy sources when renewable energy is insufficient, providing universal energy supply reliability while minimizing CO2 emissions through preferential use of renewable sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-electrical energy sources as an intermediary to bridge the gap between fluctuating renewable energy supply and continuous process requirements. This intermediary energy source ensures reliable operation during periods when renewable energy is unavailable or insufficient
3Productivity
If electrical energy with fluctuating power is used, then excess electricity can be utilized, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by combining electrical energy with non-electrical energy sources to maintain stable process conditions. This continuity allows the system to utilize excess electricity when available while preventing quality deterioration through compensatory energy input from non-electrical sources when electrical energy fluctuates
4Device complexity
If renewable energy sources are combined without non-electrical energy sources, then the system simplicity is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic energy system that adapts to different energy source availability. The system dynamically adjusts the mix of electrical and non-electrical energy sources based on real-time conditions, providing versatility in energy source utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control
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 ensures that high-temperature processes can operate continuously and efficiently, utilizing excess electricity to reduce CO2 footprint and operational costs, while maintaining process stability and product quality, even with fluctuating electrical input.
Implementation Method 1
thermal energy from an electrical energy source with power that fluctuates over time is supplied to a heat-consuming process
Implementation Method 2
combustion of natural gas or geothermal energy
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for performing endothermic process, characterized in that the annual average total energy required for the endothermic process originates from at least two different energy sources. One of the energy sources is an electrical energy source, the power of which varies between 0 and 100% of the required total power, and three different energy modes individually can provide the total required power for the endothermic process: (i) exclusively electrical energy, (ii) a mixture of electrical energy and at least one additional non-energy source, or (iii) exclusively non-electrical energy. The transition time in which the change from one energy mode to another energy mode is completed 30 minutes at most.