IGCC Syngas Warm-Up via Non-Fuel Fluid Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IGCC systems experience extended visible flaring and higher emissions during startup due to the need to vent heated syngas to meet temperature requirements, which also results in the wastage of valuable syngas fuel.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a non-fuel fluid, such as diluent nitrogen, is heated using exhaust heat from gas turbines and channeled through the fuel conduit to warm up the system, reducing the need for syngas flaring by maintaining system piping warm and meeting temperature requirements without venting syngas to atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heated syngas is vented to flare during startup to meet temperature requirements, then the gas turbine syngas temperature requirement is satisfied, but visible flare and emissions increase for an extended time period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-fuel fluid (intermediary substance) as a mediator to transfer heat through the fuel conduit during startup. This intermediary fluid allows the system to achieve the required temperature without burning syngas, thereby eliminating visible flare and emissions while still meeting the gas turbine's temperature requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful combustion process from the startup procedure by separating the heating function from the fuel combustion function. Instead of burning syngas to heat the system, the system uses a non-combustible fluid to carry heat, removing the source of emissions and visible flare from the startup process.
2Temperature
If heated syngas is vented to flare during startup, then temperature requirements are met, but valuable syngas fuel is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
By using a non-fuel fluid as an intermediary heat transfer medium, the patent prevents syngas from being burned during startup. The intermediary fluid carries the necessary thermal energy through the fuel conduit without consuming syngas, thus preserving this valuable fuel for actual power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would normally be a harmful waste stream (hot syngas that must be flared) into a beneficial resource by using it to heat the non-fuel intermediary fluid. This heated intermediary fluid then serves as the heating medium for the fuel conduit, transforming a waste disposal problem into a useful heating solution that conserves syngas fuel.
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 visible flare, lowers emissions, decreases operational and maintenance fuel costs, and enables an earlier transition to syngas operation, thereby enhancing the efficiency and revenue of the IGCC system.
Implementation Method 1
warming a flow of non-fuel fluid, and channeling the warmed non-fuel fluid through the fuel conduit such that heat from the warmed non-fuel fluid heats the fuel conduit
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of operating an integrated gasification combined cycle system are provided. The method includes coupling a non-fuel fluid conduit to a fuel conduit, warming a flow of non-fuel fluid, and channeling the warmed non-fuel fluid through the fuel conduit such that heat from the warmed non-fuel fluid heats the fuel conduit to a predetermined temperature.