Facility for generating mechanical energy by means of a combined power cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current combined cycle power plants emit greenhouse gases like CO2 and NOx due to open Brayton cycles, which compromise efficiency and environmental impact, and existing regenerative methods are limited by thermodynamic constraints and energy inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A closed regenerative Brayton cycle using water as thermal fluid, integrated with a Rankine cycle and a heat pump (UAX) that recycles heat energy without material exchange, capturing CO2 and improving efficiency by regenerating mechanical energy without atmospheric emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate facilities are used for base load and peak load power generation, then each facility can be optimized for its specific function, but the total number of facilities increases and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines base load power generation and peak load power generation into a single integrated facility. The system uses a combined cycle configuration where a gas turbine provides base load power and a steam turbine provides peak load power, both operating within the same facility footprint. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated facilities while maintaining functional optimization for both load types.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated facility is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates base load power through the gas turbine, captures waste heat through the heat recovery steam generator, and generates peak load power through the steam turbine. This multi-functional design allows a single facility to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate facilities.
2Device complexity
If waste heat from gas turbine is not recovered, then system complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency decreases and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat exhaust from the gas turbine into a beneficial resource by directing it through a heat recovery steam generator. This device captures the thermal energy that would otherwise be lost and uses it to generate steam for the steam turbine, thereby converting an energy loss into useful peak load power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the waste heat from the gas turbine exhaust, the system recovers this thermal energy through the heat recovery steam generator. The recovered heat is then utilized to produce steam that drives the steam turbine for additional power generation, effectively recovering energy that would have been wasted.
3Loss of energy
If combined cycle is used with heat recovery steam generator, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The combined cycle system ensures continuous useful action by operating the gas turbine for base load power and utilizing its continuous waste heat output to continuously drive the steam turbine for peak load power. This continuous utilization of thermal energy throughout the system maximizes energy efficiency and ensures both turbines are consistently contributing to power generation.
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 solution enhances efficiency and captures CO2 intrinsically, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs by recycling heat energy within the cycle, achieving better performance than conventional combined cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a gas turbine for the generation of base load power
Implementation Method 2
a gas turbine for the generation of base load power and a steam turbine for the generation of peak load power
Implementation Method 3
a heat recovery steam generator connected to the gas turbine
Implementation Method 4
a steam turbine for the generation of peak load power
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a facility for generating mechanical energy by means of a combined power cycle, which comprises at least: - means for carrying out a closed or semi-closed, constituent regenerative Brayton cycle, which uses water as a heat-transfer fluid; - means for carrying out at least one Rankine cycle, a constituent fundamental Rankine cycle, interconnected with the regenerative Brayton cycle; and - a heat pump (UAX) comprising a closed circuit that regenerates the constituent regenerative Brayton cycle; as well as to the method for generating energy using said facility.