Integrated system for accumulating power or for generating electric power and natural gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electric power and natural gas networks face challenges in managing periods of excess supply and demand, with existing storage solutions being costly, inefficient, and environmentally impactful, particularly due to the use of non-renewable energy sources and limited capacity for gas storage.
Innovation Solution
A process that accumulates excess electric power by producing and storing liquefied natural gas and liquid oxygen, while also producing liquid carbon dioxide, using a system that includes purification, liquefaction, and heat exchange units to stabilize both networks and recover energy efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquefied natural gas is produced and stored to accumulate electric power, then energy storage capacity is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the natural gas liquefaction unit, the air separation unit, the CO2 liquefaction unit, and the power generation turbine are merged into one coordinated system. This allows simultaneous achievement of energy storage, CO2 sequestration, and power generation without requiring separate independent systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining large energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: storing electric power as liquefied natural gas, separating and liquefying CO2 for sequestration, producing liquid oxygen, and generating electricity through turbine expansion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems for each function, reducing complexity while improving overall energy utilization efficiency.
2Productivity
If traditional gas turbines are used to produce electric power during shortage periods, then power supply is improved, but greenhouse gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 that would normally be emitted by gas turbines into a useful resource. The CO2 captured from the air separation process is liquefied and stored, and the system generates power during shortage periods by expanding the liquefied natural gas through a turbine, eliminating the need for conventional CO2-emitting gas turbines while maintaining power supply capability.
3Reliability
If LNG is imported and regasified to stabilize the gas network, then gas supply stability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to loss of liquefaction energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system produces its own liquefied natural gas internally through the natural gas liquefaction unit, eliminating the need to import LNG. The liquefied natural gas is stored and then vaporized and compressed when gas supply is needed, allowing the system to stabilize the gas network without the energy losses associated with importing and regasifying external LNG.
4Quantity of substance
If exhausted wells are used to accumulate natural gas, then storage capacity is limited, but infrastructure cost is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system fundamentally changes the storage approach by producing and storing liquefied natural gas in above-ground storage tanks rather than relying on underground exhausted wells. This parameter change from subsurface well storage to surface tank storage of liquefied gas provides significantly larger and more flexible storage capacity that can be scaled according to demand.
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 allows for efficient storage and stabilization of both electric and gas networks, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing excess electric power, and achieves high energy recovery efficiency, making it a more sustainable solution compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a natural gas liquefaction unit for condensing a natural gas flow taken from the natural gas distribution network into a liquefied natural gas flow
Implementation Method 2
an air separation unit for separating, from an air flow, a nitrogen flow and a oxygen flow
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchange unit for making the expanded combusted gas flow exchange heat with the liquid oxygen flow
Implementation Method 4
the combusted gas flow is expanded in an expander
Implementation Method 5
the natural gas flow is combusted in a combustor
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated system for generating power and vaporizing liquefied natural gas with reduced CO2 emissions into the atmosphere is provided.