Flexible biomass gasification based multi-objective energy system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power generation systems are inefficient in simultaneously producing power, heating, and cooling, particularly for rural electrification and food preservation, as they require separate machinery and energy sources for refrigeration, which is costly and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A biomass conversion system that utilizes syngas from biomass gasification to power a homogenous charge compression ignition engine, driving a turbine for power generation and a trans-critical CO2 refrigeration cycle to produce cooling, while also utilizing boiler exhaust for additional refrigeration, integrating these processes to generate power, heat, and cooling efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate refrigeration machinery and electrical power sources are used for cooling, then cooling function is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power generation system and refrigeration system into a single integrated biomass gasification plant. The engine exhaust drives both the turbine for electricity generation and the absorption chiller for cooling, eliminating the need for separate refrigeration machinery and electrical power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine exhaust is utilized for multiple functions simultaneously: driving the turbine for power generation and driving the absorption chiller for cooling. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while achieving both power and cooling objectives.
2Ease of operation
If separate refrigeration machinery is used, then cooling is achieved, but energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste heat from engine exhaust, which would otherwise be discarded, into useful cooling energy through the absorption chiller. This transforms a harmful waste product into a beneficial resource, reducing energy costs while providing cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own waste heat to provide cooling, making the system self-sufficient. The engine exhaust that would normally be wasted is now utilized to drive the absorption chiller, reducing external energy requirements.
3Loss of energy
If waste heat recovery is implemented for cooling generation, then energy conservation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste heat recovery system is merged with the existing power generation system. The absorption chiller is integrated into the engine exhaust flow, allowing waste heat to be captured and converted to cooling without requiring a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption chiller acts as an intermediary device that converts waste heat from the engine exhaust into useful cooling. This mediator enables energy conservation while maintaining relatively simple system architecture by using a well-established technology.
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 system effectively addresses the need for simultaneous power, heating, and cooling generation, reducing energy costs and enhancing energy conservation, particularly suitable for rural electrification and food preservation, by leveraging biomass energy in a multi-generation system.
Implementation Method 1
a syngas gasifier which outputs syngas from an input of biomass and air
Implementation Method 2
a cyclone for receiving the output syngas, removing tar and charcoal from the received syngas
Implementation Method 3
a homogenous charge compression ignition engine for receiving the mixed stream, the homogenous charge compression ignition engine generating brake power using the mixed stream
Implementation Method 4
a turbine which receives the output homogenous charge compression ignition engine exhaust, generates power to drive a turbocharger
Implementation Method 5
a regenerator which receives the output turbine exhaust and outputs regenerated turbine exhaust
Implementation Method 6
a boiler which receives the output regenerated turbine exhaust, the boiler heating up CO2 and outputting the heated up CO2
Implementation Method 7
an expander that receives the heated up CO2 and produces power
Implementation Method 8
a second compressor that receives the power from the expander to drive a trans-critical CO2 refrigeration cycle therein to produce cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for converting biomass to energy in a multi-objective application that includes generating power, heat, and multiple cooling applications. Waste heat from a HCCI engine is used to implement the multiple cooling applications of an ejector refrigeration cycle and a trans-critical refrigeration cycle, process heating, and turbine power production.