Flameless CO2 Combustion Control for Lower-Stress Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combustion systems for power production using CO2 as a working fluid operate at high pressures and temperatures, causing significant stress on equipment and require complex control systems, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Flameless combustion is achieved by controlling reaction conditions such as oxygen concentration, diluent concentration, and temperature to stabilize combustion without a visible flame, eliminating the need for dedicated oxidant lines and reducing equipment complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional combustion systems operate at high pressures and temperatures for efficient power production, then power generation efficiency is improved, but equipment stress and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying combustion conditions from conventional high-temperature flamed combustion to flameless combustion at lower temperatures (below 1000°C). This is achieved by changing the combustion mode, oxygen concentration, and temperature parameters to achieve efficient power generation without the extreme conditions that cause equipment stress and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful high-temperature flames into beneficial controlled oxidation reactions. By using flameless combustion, the harmful high peak temperatures that cause equipment stress are eliminated while maintaining efficient fuel oxidation and power generation through controlled reaction conditions
2Measurement precision
If conventional combustion systems use dedicated oxidant lines and complex control systems, then combustion control precision is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the dedicated oxidant lines and complex control systems from conventional combustion configurations. By using flameless combustion where oxidant is mixed with fuel or introduced directly into the combustion chamber without separate delivery infrastructure, the system reduces device complexity while maintaining adequate combustion control through simpler mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by making the combustion chamber serve multiple functions - it becomes both the mixing chamber and the combustion chamber, eliminating the need for separate oxidant delivery infrastructure. The single combustion chamber handles fuel injection, oxidant mixing, and combustion reactions, reducing overall system complexity
3Duration of action of stationary object
If flameless combustion is used to reduce peak temperatures and equipment stress, then equipment durability is improved, but combustion controllability becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control mechanisms to manage flameless combustion processes. By continuously monitoring combustion parameters and adjusting oxidant injection rates, fuel flow, and reaction conditions in real-time, the system maintains adequate combustion controllability while operating at lower temperatures that protect equipment durability
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 reduces equipment stress, lowers peak temperatures, and simplifies control systems, achieving efficient power generation with minimal emissions and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
combustion of a fuel, specifically oxy-combustion
Implementation Method 2
combustion of a fuel with oxygen and carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
expanded for power generation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods wherein power production can be achieved with combustion of a fuel utilizing flameless combustion. A fuel may be combusted in a combustor/turbine in a substantially flameless operation to produce a combustion product stream that can be expanded for power generation. After expansion, the output stream can be treated to generate a recycle CO2 stream into which an oxidant can be input. The recycle CO2 stream including the oxidant can be injected into the combustor/turbine to effect combustion in a substantially flameless state. Various control schemes can be implemented to automatically control the concentration of oxygen present in the recycle CO2 stream that is injected into the combustor/turbine in order to achieve and/or maintain substantially flameless combustion.