LNG Facility Post-Combustion CO2 Capture and Sequestration Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and existing technologies do not effectively incorporate greenhouse gas removal methods, particularly in gas turbine exhausts, thermal oxidizers, and marine vent systems, necessitating improved efficiency and emission reduction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquefaction unit, a gas turbine, a post-combustion capture unit to generate a CO2-rich stream, and a sequestration compression unit to convey the CO2-rich stream to a sequestration site, such as an underground geological formation or seabed region, reducing overall emissions from the LNG facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional LNG production facilities use thermal oxidizers and flares to convert hydrocarbon emissions into carbon dioxide, then hydrocarbon emissions are converted, but greenhouse gas emissions (particularly CO2) are not removed and facility efficiency is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts CO2 from the gas turbine exhaust stream using a post-combustion capture unit. The capture unit separates CO2 from the exhaust gases, producing a CO2-rich stream that can be compressed and sequestered. This extraction approach directly removes the harmful greenhouse gas component while allowing the facility to maintain its power generation productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a post-combustion capture unit as an intermediary component between the gas turbine and the atmosphere. This intermediary device facilitates the separation and removal of CO2 from exhaust gases, enabling greenhouse gas reduction without directly affecting the gas turbine's power generation function.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If LNG facilities incorporate greenhouse gas removal technologies, then emissions are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the post-combustion capture unit with existing LNG facility infrastructure, particularly utilizing the gas turbine exhaust system. The capture unit serves multiple functions: it removes CO2 from emissions, can potentially recover useful components from the exhaust stream, and integrates with the existing facility layout. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall system complexity compared to adding entirely separate emission control systems.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If post-combustion capture units are used to generate CO2-rich streams, then CO2 is captured from gas turbine exhaust, but energy consumption increases due to compression and conveyance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 emissions into a beneficial resource by capturing and compressing the CO2-rich stream for sequestration or potential utilization. The compression process, while consuming energy, transforms a waste product into a manageable form that can be stored or used, thereby converting a harmful emission into a potential asset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the CO2-rich stream through compression, increasing its pressure and density to facilitate efficient conveyance to sequestration sites. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the energy consumption for transport while ensuring effective long-term storage or utilization of the captured CO2.
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 solution significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and sequestering CO2, achieving a reduction of at least 85% in emissions compared to traditional LNG production facilities without carbon capture and sequestration technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The liquefaction unit condenses natural gas vapor into liquefied natural gas
Implementation Method 2
The post-combustion capture unit includes an amine absorber and liquid amine absorbent for absorbing CO2
Implementation Method 3
Heat from a waste heat recovery unit is directable to the post-combustion capture unit to provide heat for regenerating the liquid amine absorbent
Implementation Method 4
The sequestration compression unit is configured to compress and convey at least one CO2-rich stream from a post-combustion capture unit
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for liquefied natural gas production facilities are disclosed herein. A liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility includes a liquefaction unit and a gas turbine. The liquefaction unit condenses natural gas vapor into liquefied natural gas. The LNG production facility further includes at least one post-combustion capture unit that captures a carbon dioxide (CO2)-rich stream from a flue gas stream of the gas turbine. The LNG production facility also includes a sequestration compression unit that compresses at least one CO2-rich stream from the at least one post-combustion capture unit.