Flue Gas Power Generation via CO2 Scrubbing and Galvanic Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating electrical power from carbonaceous fuels face inefficiencies in secondary power recovery and high carbon dioxide emissions, with prior methods for capturing and decomposing CO2 being expensive and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A system that captures CO2 from flue gas using scrubbers with aqueous ammonia and monoethanolamine technology, then converts it into carbonic acid to generate electricity in a voltaic cell with an aluminum anode and platinum cathode, while utilizing wind turbines to convert flue gas kinetic energy into electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If prior art systems capture and decompose carbon dioxide, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the cost becomes expensive and effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful CO2 emissions into useful electrical energy through a voltaic cell system. CO2 is captured from flue gas, converted to carbonic acid, and then used as the electrolyte in a galvanic cell that generates electricity. This transforms the harmful substance into a beneficial energy source, simultaneously reducing emissions and producing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of CO2 by converting it from gaseous form to carbonic acid solution, which then serves as the electrolyte medium in the voltaic cell. This parameter transformation enables the CO2 to participate in electrochemical reactions that generate electricity, making the process both effective and cost-efficient.
2Productivity
If secondary systems are added to generate power from off-gases, then electrical power production is augmented, but the efficiency becomes insufficient to afford a net gain
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the waste heat and CO2 from the primary combustion process to power the secondary voltaic cell system. The flue gas, which would otherwise be discarded, provides both the kinetic energy to drive the wind turbine and the chemical material (CO2) for the galvanic cell, making the secondary system self-sufficient and adding net power without significant additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple energy conversion pathways: the wind turbine converts kinetic energy of flue gas to electricity, while the voltaic cell converts chemical energy of CO2 to electricity. Both systems process the same flue gas stream, combining their outputs to achieve a net gain in electrical power production that overcomes the efficiency limitations of individual secondary systems.
3Power
If flue gas velocity is sufficient to turn wind turbine, then kinetic energy is converted to electrical power, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flue gas stream serves multiple functions: it provides kinetic energy to drive the wind turbine generator, supplies CO2 to the scrubber for carbonic acid production, and maintains system pressure for efficient CO2 dissolution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes overall complexity while maximizing 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 system achieves a net gain in electrical power production while reducing CO2 emissions, producing sufficient power for a typical household and generating valuable by-products like aluminum hydroxide and sodium carbonate, making the electricity cost-competitive.
Implementation Method 1
A wind turbine is located in the system to receive flue gas with the velocity of the flue gas being sufficient to turn the wind turbine at a minimum angular rate to generate power from a generator that is coupled to the wind turbine
Implementation Method 2
A scrubber receives flue gas that is generated from the furnace and isolates CO2 from other components of the flue gas
Implementation Method 3
scrubbers with aqueous ammonia and monoethanolamine technology
Implementation Method 4
The isolated CO2 is passed to a vessel where it is reacted with water to produce carbonic acid
Implementation Method 5
the voltaic cell is pressurized to cause greater quantities of CO2 to dissolve as carbonic acid in water
Implementation Method 6
The carbonic acid is delivered to a voltaic cell with an aluminum anode and a platinum cathode to cause the cell to generate electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A system for collecting flue gas from a combustion process wherein the flue gas has elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide and converting it into electrical power and useful by-products. Kinetic energy of flue gas is used to power a wind turbine that is coupled to a generator to generate electricity. A scrubber isolates CO2 from other components of the flue gas. The CO2 is converted and stored in carbonic acid solution. The carbonic acid solution is then provided to a galvanic cell that generates electrical power and converts the reactant materials in the cell into useful by-products.