Fuel Production System with Renewable Hydrogen Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel production systems from biomass emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide during the gasification and H2/CO ratio adjustment steps, with insufficient methods to reduce the total carbon dioxide emissions throughout the process.
Innovation Solution
A fuel production system that includes a gasification furnace, an electrolysis unit for producing hydrogen using renewable energy, and a control unit to adjust the H2/CO ratio of syngas by controlling the supply of hydrogen and other reactants, thereby minimizing carbon dioxide emissions by suppressing reactions between carbon monoxide and water in the gasification furnace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is produced by reaction of carbon monoxide with water in the H2/CO ratio adjusting step, then the H2/CO ratio increases to the target ratio, but carbon dioxide is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the H2/CO ratio through hydrogen production from carbon monoxide and water reactions before the fuel production step. This pre-adjustment ensures the syngas has the correct composition for efficient fuel synthesis, avoiding the need for additional ratio adjustments during fuel production that would generate more carbon dioxide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the H2/CO ratio of syngas to match the specific requirements of different fuel production processes (e.g., methanol synthesis requires H2/CO ratio of 2:1, while Fischer-Tropsch synthesis requires 1:1). By precisely adjusting this critical parameter, the system optimizes fuel production efficiency and minimizes carbon dioxide emissions from unnecessary ratio adjustments.
2Quantity of substance
If the H2/CO ratio of syngas is adjusted through water-gas shift reaction, then hydrogen content increases, but carbon dioxide is produced as a byproduct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the water-gas shift reaction as a preliminary step to adjust hydrogen content in syngas before fuel production. By conducting this adjustment early in the process, the system ensures optimal hydrogen levels for subsequent fuel synthesis while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions that would occur if ratio adjustments were made later during fuel production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the extent of the water-gas shift reaction to achieve the target H2/CO ratio. By precisely managing this chemical reaction parameter, the system increases hydrogen content to the required level while minimizing carbon dioxide generation, optimizing both fuel production efficiency and emission reduction.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple process steps are used for H2/CO ratio adjustment and desulfurization, then the syngas quality is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple process functions into an integrated gasification and adjustment system. By combining H2/CO ratio adjustment, desulfurization, and fuel production steps into a coordinated process flow, the system maintains high syngas quality while reducing the number of separate units and operations required, thereby simplifying the overall system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing process units that perform multiple functions simultaneously. For example, the gasification system not only produces syngas but also performs initial H2/CO ratio adjustment and desulfurization, eliminating the need for separate dedicated units for each function and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining syngas quality.
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 the total carbon dioxide emissions by eliminating the need for active H2/CO ratio adjustment and optimizing hydrogen supply based on biomass type, simplifying the system configuration and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolysis unit (e.g., an electrolysis unit 60 described later) that produces hydrogen from water using electric power generated using renewable energy
Implementation Method 2
a gasification furnace (e.g., a gasification furnace 30 described later) that gasifies biomass feedstock to produce a syngas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide
Implementation Method 3
the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis unit is supplied into the gasification furnace or the biomass feedstock supply channel to suppress the reaction between carbon monoxide and water in the gasification furnace
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel production system 1 for producing a liquid fuel from biomass feedstock includes a gasification furnace 30 that gasifies biomass feedstock to produce a syngas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a liquid fuel production unit 4 that produces a liquid fuel from the syngas produced by the gasification furnace 30; an electrolysis unit 60 that produces hydrogen from water using electric power generated using renewable energy; a hydrogen tank 62 that stores the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis unit 60; and a hydrogen supply pump 64 that supplies the hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 62into the gasification furnace 30 or a biomass feedstock supply channel 20 extending from a biomass feedstock supply unit 2 to the gasification furnace 30.