CO2 Compressor Waste-Heat Chilling in IGCC Power Plants
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated gasification combined cycle systems face inefficiencies due to high parasitic loads from carbon dioxide compression and cooling, which reduce net power output and efficiency, especially in areas where water is scarce and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a vapor absorption chiller driven by waste heat from carbon dioxide compressors to generate a chilling medium for cooling power plant components, reducing the need for auxiliary cooling systems and parasitic power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon dioxide is compressed before transport or recycling, then carbon sequestration and system functionality are maintained, but parasitic load increases and net power output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers waste heat from the carbon dioxide compression process and uses it to drive a vapor absorption chiller. This converts the harmful parasitic load of compression into a beneficial cooling source for power plant components, thereby maintaining carbon sequestration while reducing the net negative impact on power output
2Reliability
If carbon dioxide compressors are cooled using cooling tower water, then compressor operation is maintained, but water consumption increases and operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own waste heat from compression to drive the vapor absorption chiller, which then provides cooling to the compressors. This self-service approach eliminates dependence on external water cooling systems, maintaining compressor operation while dramatically reducing water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The waste heat that would otherwise be discarded is converted into a useful cooling resource through the vapor absorption chiller, creating a closed-loop system that maintains compressor operation without requiring external water resources
3Reliability
If auxiliary compression power is increased to maintain system operation, then carbon dioxide compression is maintained, but parasitic load increases and overall efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures waste heat from the compression process and uses it to drive cooling systems for power plant components. This converts energy that would be lost as waste into a useful resource, maintaining system operation while reducing overall energy loss and improving efficiency
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 enhances net power generation output and efficiency by utilizing waste heat to cool power plant components, minimizing parasitic loads and water usage, while maintaining carbon sequestration benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a vapor absorption chiller driven by a waste heat source flow from the carbon dioxide compressors to produce a chilling medium flow to cool the power plant components
Implementation Method 2
driven by the waste heat of a gas compression system
Implementation Method 3
vaporizing a refrigerant in a generator of the vapor absorption chiller
Implementation Method 4
liquefying the refrigerant in a condenser
Implementation Method 5
expanding the refrigerant in an evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application and the resultant patent provide an integrated gasification combined cycle system (100). The integrated gasification combined cycle system (100) may include a gas turbine engine (110), one or more power plant components (335), one or more carbon dioxide compressors (210), and a vapor absorption chiller (240). The vapor absorption chiller (240) is driven by a waste heat source flow (270) from the carbon dioxide compressors (210) to produce a chilling medium flow (300) to cool the power plant components (335).