Integrated LNG Vaporization With CO2 Cycle Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power production systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for significant fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during the re-gasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as challenges in integrating new power production technologies.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a power production system with an LNG re-gasification system using a CO2 cycle that utilizes heat exchange to cool and heat streams, reducing the need for external fuel and enhancing efficiency by recycling CO2 as a working fluid, and incorporating heat from the CO2 cycle to liquefy and vaporize LNG, thereby reducing energy consumption and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional water bath heating with submerged combustion burner is used to heat LNG after pressurization, then LNG can be heated to ambient temperature, but significant fuel consumption (1-2% of LNG) and CO2 emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LNG heating function with the power production system by integrating a heat exchanger that uses the temperature difference between hot combustion gases and cold LNG. This merging eliminates the need for separate fuel consumption in water bath heating, as the combustion gases from the power cycle provide the necessary heat for LNG vaporization.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion gases from the power production cycle serve dual purposes: driving the turbine for power generation and heating the LNG for vaporization. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the heating process a byproduct of power generation rather than a separate energy-consuming operation.
2Productivity
If conventional power production systems are integrated with LNG re-gasification, then system efficiency can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the LNG vaporization system with the power production cycle by using a single heat exchanger that facilitates both LNG heating and power cycle operation. This integration achieves multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity, as the thermal energy from the power cycle is directly utilized for LNG vaporization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own combustion gases to provide the heating required for LNG vaporization, eliminating the need for external fuel sources. The power production system essentially serves its own heating needs, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate conventional systems.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If heat exchange integration is implemented between power production system and LNG re-gasification system, then fuel consumption is reduced and CO2 emissions are minimized, but the system requires sophisticated heat management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from combustion gases into a beneficial resource for LNG vaporization. By utilizing the temperature difference between hot exhaust gases and cold LNG, the system transforms what would be waste energy and emissions into useful heating, thereby reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while managing heat efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits changes in temperature parameters of the combustion gases as they pass through the turbine and heat exchanger. The gradual temperature reduction of gases through the system is utilized to provide heating at different stages, optimizing heat transfer efficiency and minimizing emissions without requiring overly complex active heat management.
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 increases the efficiency of the CO2 cycle power production process to greater than 60%, reduces fuel consumption, and minimizes CO2 emissions, while also enabling cost-effective carbon capture and storage (CCS) and improving LNG transportation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the CO2 cycle can utilize heat exchange to cool a recycle stream in the power production system and to heat and gasify an LNG stream
Implementation Method 2
The cooled and pressurized CO2 stream can then be heated in the CO2 heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
heat and gasify an LNG stream
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an integrated power generating system and method and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vaporization system and method. More particularly, heat from a CO2 containing stream from the power generating system and method can be used to heat the LNG for re-gasification as gaseous CO2 from CO2 containing stream is liquefied. The liquefied CO2 can be captured and/or recycled back to a combustor in the power generating system and method.