Hybrid Supercritical CO2 and Cogeneration Power System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing supercritical CO2 power generation system faces limitations in scaling up capacity and achieving high power generation efficiency, while coal-fired power generation systems require methods to increase efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid power generation system is developed by combining a supercritical CO2 power generation system with a cogeneration system, utilizing a pump, recuperator, heat exchanger, turbines, condenser, and water heater to enhance energy output and thermal efficiency, allowing for the sharing of components and heat sources to optimize energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a supercritical CO2 power generation system is operated as a closed cycle, then pollutant emission is reduced, but power generation capacity cannot be increased beyond a certain scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a supercritical CO2 power generation system with a cogeneration system into a hybrid configuration. The supercritical CO2 cycle handles power generation while the cogeneration system handles thermal energy production, allowing both systems to operate synergistically. This merging enables the power generation capacity to be increased beyond the limitations of a standalone supercritical CO2 system while maintaining the closed-cycle operation that reduces pollutant emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid system design allows the same infrastructure to serve multiple functions: the supercritical CO2 system generates electricity while the integrated cogeneration system provides both thermal energy and additional power generation capability. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to exceed the capacity limits of a single supercritical CO2 cycle while maintaining its environmental benefits.
2Productivity
If coal-fired power generation is used to increase power output, then power generation efficiency is improved, but pollutant emission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures and utilizes waste heat from the cogeneration system that would otherwise be discarded. By integrating heat exchangers that recover this waste heat to preheat the working fluid in the supercritical CO2 cycle, the system converts what was previously a harmful waste product into a useful energy resource. This approach enables increased power generation efficiency without the need for additional coal combustion, thereby avoiding increased pollutant emissions.
3Productivity
If a cogeneration system is integrated with supercritical CO2 system, then energy output is increased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid system is divided into distinct functional modules: a supercritical CO2 power generation section and a cogeneration section. Each module can be independently designed, operated, and maintained. The working fluid circulation is also segmented into different loops that interact through heat exchangers rather than direct mixing. This segmentation manages system complexity by creating modular units that can be understood and controlled separately while achieving increased energy output when integrated.
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 hybrid system increases energy output, improves thermal efficiency, and effectively addresses the challenge of scaling up power generation while reducing pollutant emissions by integrating supercritical CO2 and cogeneration systems, enabling flexible operation to meet changing seasonal power demands.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pump configured to circulate the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
at least one recuperator configured to primarily heat the working fluid passing through the pump
Implementation Method 3
at least one heat exchanger configured to reheat the working fluid heated by the recuperator using waste heat as a heat source
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of turbines configured to be driven by the working fluid reheated by the heat exchangers
Implementation Method 5
a condenser configured to cool the working fluid passing through the turbine
Implementation Method 6
a water heater configured to heat the heating water by branching a part of the working fluid introduced into the condenser and exchanging heat between the branched working fluid and the heating water
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid type power generation system in which some of components of a cogeneration system are combined with a supercritical CO2 power generation system, may increase an energy output by combining some of the components of the cogeneration system with the supercritical CO2 power generation system.