Hybrid sCO2 Power Cycle with Solar Preheating and Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concentrated solar power (CSP) systems face limitations in efficiency and cost-effectiveness, particularly in producing electricity that can be sustainably introduced into the electrical grid, as they are often limited by daylight hours and weather conditions, and struggle with integrating solar thermal conversion processes with fossil fuel combustion systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that combines a solar heating system with a fossil fuel combustion power generating system, utilizing recycled CO2 streams, where solar heating supplements or alternates with combustion heating, increasing efficiency by operating multiple heaters independently or simultaneously to heat a working fluid recycled through the system for power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If concentrated solar power systems are used to generate electricity, then renewable energy production is achieved, but power generation is limited by daylight hours and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar heating systems with fossil fuel combustion systems into a hybrid power generation system. The solar heater and combustor work together to heat the working fluid, allowing the system to generate power during both daytime and nighttime by switching between or combining solar and fossil fuel sources, thereby overcoming the limitation of solar-only systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If concentrated solar power systems operate independently, then solar thermal conversion is achieved, but integration with fossil fuel combustion systems is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same power generation cycle can utilize either solar heating, fossil fuel combustion, or both simultaneously as the heat source. The system includes a solar heater and a combustor that both feed into the same working fluid cycle, enabling flexible operation modes and easy integration between renewable and conventional energy sources.
3Power
If standard steam turbine technology is used in CSP systems, then power generation is achieved, but thermal efficiency is limited to around 40%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power generation cycle instead of traditional steam cycles. This parameter change in the working fluid and cycle conditions enables the system to achieve thermal efficiencies exceeding 60%, significantly improving upon the 40% efficiency limit of conventional steam turbine systems while maintaining power generation capability.
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 integration achieves higher efficiency, with overall power generation efficiencies exceeding 60%, enabling cost-effective carbon capture and storage (CCS) while maintaining a stable turbine inlet temperature, even during varying solar conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems typically are configured to concentrate the solar energy from a large area of sunlight
Implementation Method 2
The CO2 recycle stream is heated in the solar heater
Implementation Method 3
a fossil fuel combustion power generating system
Implementation Method 4
The heated CO2 stream is expanded through a turbine
Implementation Method 5
The CO2 stream is compressed to a supercritical state
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an integrated power generating system and method that combines combustion power generation with solar heating. Specifically, a closed cycle combustion system utilizing a carbon dioxide working fluid can be increased in efficiency by passing at least a portion of a carbon dioxide working fluid through a solar heater prior to passage through a combustor.