Combustible Fluid Storage and Recovery for Variable Power Generation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy generation systems from nontraditional combustible fluid sources, such as landfills and bio-methane, are inefficient in storing and converting continuous low output gas sources (CLOGS) and lack mechanisms to vary energy output, making them impractical and underutilized compared to standard energy sources.
Innovation Solution
An energy generation system that includes a fluid storage system with a compressor and storage tanks to pressurize combustible fluid, an energy recovery system with a turboexpander and motor-generator to convert energy into electricity, and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system to utilize temperature differentials, along with control circuitry to optimize energy production based on pricing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing systems convert energy from combustible fluid sources at the same rate as the fluid is supplied, then the conversion rate matches the supply rate, but the systems fail to include components for effectively storing combustible fluid generated at a low rate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary storage of combustible fluid in tanks before conversion. The storage tanks accumulate low-rate combustible fluid supply over time, enabling batch conversion at higher rates when energy demand requires, thus decoupling the conversion rate from the supply rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the energy generation process into distinct storage and conversion phases. By separating the fluid accumulation function (storage tanks) from the energy conversion function (engines/generators), the system can independently optimize each function's rate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing systems lack control mechanisms to vary energy output, then the system structure remains simple, but the systems are impractical and underutilized because existing energy sources are more efficient and cost-effective under standard operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic control mechanisms that allow the energy output to vary based on demand and economic conditions. Controllers adjust operational parameters such as conversion rate, storage fill levels, and dispatch timing to optimize performance under different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (output rate, storage capacity utilization, conversion timing) to adapt to varying energy demands and pricing conditions, enabling the system to remain competitive with standard energy sources across different market conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If existing systems are limited to utilizing only chemical energy through combustion, then the system design remains simple, but additional methods for extracting energy are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple energy conversion pathways including combustion engines, fuel cells, and direct oxidation technologies. This multi-functional approach extracts energy from the combustible fluid through different mechanisms, maximizing total energy recovery while maintaining modular system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple energy conversion technologies (combustion, electrochemical conversion, direct oxidation) into a unified platform that processes the same combustible fluid input, thereby increasing overall energy extraction efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 efficiently stores and converts combustible fluid into usable energy forms like electricity and purified gas, optimizing energy production by aggregating low-output gas sources and adjusting output to match energy demand and pricing, enhancing the utilization of nontraditional energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to pressurize a combustible fluid from a combustible fluid source for storage in the one or more storage tanks
Implementation Method 2
a turboexpander configured to depressurize the combustible fluid received from the at least one storage tank
Implementation Method 3
a motor-generator configured to input the combustible fluid as depressurized by the turboexpander, and generate electrical energy from the combustible fluid
Implementation Method 4
an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature differential between the combustible fluid input to the motor-generator and a waste heat produced by the motor-generator
Data Source
AI summary
An energy generation system for converting combustible fluid from a nontraditional combustible fluid source to useable energy. The energy generation system including a fluid storage system including a compressor and at least one storage tank, the compressor configured to pressurize a combustible fluid from a combustible fluid source for storage in the one or more storage tanks; and an energy recovery system configured to receive the combustible fluid from the at least one storage tank, the energy recovery system including: a turboexpander configured to depressurize the combustible fluid received from the at least one storage tank; a motor-generator configured to input the combustible fluid as depressurized by the turboexpander, and generate electrical energy from the combustible fluid; and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature differential between the combustible fluid input to the motor-generator and a waste heat produced by the motor-generator.