Gas-Assisted Liquid Fuel Oxygen Reactor with Ion Transport Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oxygen transport reactors face low flux issues due to low heat rates generated in a given volume, making them economically inefficient for heating and carbon capture processes.
Innovation Solution
A gas-assisted liquid fuel oxygen reactor system that uses a CO2-assisted atomizer, ion transport membrane, and a closed-loop recirculation process to maintain a constant temperature between 700° C and 900° C, enhancing oxygen flux and heat generation through the use of a sweep gas and recirculated exhaust gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxygen transport reactors use ion transport membranes for oxygen separation, then carbon capture efficiency is improved, but heat generation rate per volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is divided into multiple zones including an evaporation zone with conductive plates for heat generation, a reaction zone for combustion, and a condensation zone for CO2 separation. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function - the evaporation zone generates heat while the reaction zone performs carbon capture, resolving the contradiction between heat generation and capture efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines oxygen separation via ion transport membranes with combustion reactions in an integrated oxygen transport reactor. The membrane separates O2 from air while the combustion process generates heat and CO2, which is then captured. This merging allows simultaneous achievement of oxygen separation for efficient combustion and carbon capture in a single system
2Productivity
If ion transport membranes operate at elevated temperatures above 700° C, then oxygen permeation flux is improved, but membrane stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor creates different temperature zones - the evaporation zone with conductive plates reaches high temperatures for oxygen permeation, while the membrane area is protected by the controlled combustion zone. This local quality approach allows high temperature operation where needed while protecting the membrane from excessive thermal stress
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control where combustion products and heat transfer are monitored to maintain optimal temperature conditions for membrane operation. The combustion zone adjusts fuel input based on temperature sensors to ensure the membrane operates at the optimal temperature range for flux while preventing thermal degradation
3Quantity of substance
If cryogenic distillation is used for oxygen separation, then pure oxygen is obtained, but process cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from cryogenic temperatures to elevated temperatures (above 700° C) for oxygen separation. The ion transport membrane operates at high temperature where oxygen permeation is enhanced, eliminating the need for energy-intensive cryogenic distillation while maintaining oxygen purity requirements for combustion
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 efficient self-heating and reduced CO2 emissions by maintaining a stable temperature at the ion transport membrane, improving membrane stability and thermal performance, and eliminating NOx emissions by using oxygen instead of air for combustion.
Implementation Method 1
Oxygen permeation through these membranes is a function of partial pressure of oxygen across the membranes
Implementation Method 2
Oxygen permeation through these membranes is a function of partial pressure of oxygen across the membranes, membrane thickness, and the temperature at which these membranes are operating
Implementation Method 3
the outer wall of the evaporation zone is lined with (thermal) conductive plates such that the evaporation zone is adapted to heat the atomized fuel and CO2 into a vaporized form
Implementation Method 4
an atomizer (e.g., CO2-assisted atomizer) having an inlet adapted to receive a liquid fuel and an outlet adapted to spray atomized fuel and CO2
Implementation Method 5
the combustion products include only CO2 and H2O
Implementation Method 6
The CO2 and H2O can then be separated via a condensation process leaving behind only CO2
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for low-CO2 emission combustion of liquid fuel with a gas-assisted liquid fuel oxygen reactor. The system comprises an atomizer that sprays fuel and CO2 into an evaporation zone, where the fuel and CO2 is heated into a vaporized form. The system comprises a reaction zone that receives the vaporized fuel and CO2. The system includes an air vessel having an air stream, and a heating vessel adjacent to the air vessel that transfers heat to the air vessel. The system comprises an ion transport membrane in flow communication with the air vessel and reaction zone. The ion transport membrane receives O2 permeating from the air stream and transfers the O2 into the reaction zone resulting in combustion of fuel. The combustion produces heat and creates CO2 exhaust gases that are recirculated in the system limiting emission of CO2.