Distributed Methanation Loop for CO2 Recovery and Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently recovering carbon dioxide as a raw material for methane production.
Innovation Solution
A distributed methanation system incorporating a co-electrolysis device, methane reactor, fuel cell power generation system, and carbon dioxide recovery device, which includes circulation paths and separators to efficiently recover and recycle carbon dioxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional methane generation system is used, then methane can be produced from carbon dioxide and water, but carbon dioxide recovery efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the methane generation system and fuel cell power generation system into an integrated distributed methanation system. The fuel cell system's off-gas containing carbon dioxide is circulated back to the methane generation system through a circulation flow path, creating a closed-loop system that merges power generation with carbon dioxide recovery and utilization, thereby improving carbon dioxide recovery efficiency while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a circulation flow path as an intermediary mechanism to transport off-gas from the fuel cell power generation system back to the methane generation system. This intermediary flow path enables efficient carbon dioxide recovery by facilitating the transfer of carbon dioxide-containing gas between systems, solving the carbon dioxide recovery efficiency problem without requiring complex direct integration
2Loss of substance
If carbon dioxide is not efficiently recovered, then system operation is simpler, but raw material utilization is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous circulation flow path that continuously transports off-gas from the fuel cell system back to the methane generation system. This continuous action ensures uninterrupted carbon dioxide recovery and utilization, maximizing raw material utilization while the automated circulation mechanism maintains ease of operation without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where off-gas containing carbon dioxide from the fuel cell system is circulated back to the methane generation system as a raw material source. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous carbon dioxide recovery and utilization, improving both carbon dioxide recovery efficiency and raw material utilization while the self-sustaining nature of the feedback loop maintains operational simplicity
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 system enables efficient recovery and recycling of carbon dioxide, reducing costs and achieving zero or negative carbon emissions by utilizing renewable energy and optimizing power and gas operations.
Implementation Method 1
a co-electrolysis device and a methane reactor, and that generates methane by being supplied with power, water, and carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
The device generates methane from the synthesis gas
Implementation Method 3
a reformer converting the methane supplied from the methane generation system into hydrogen
Implementation Method 4
a fuel cell generating power using the hydrogen supplied from the reformer
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed methanation system according to the present disclosure includes: a methane generation system that includes a co-electrolysis device and a methane reactor, and generates methane by being supplied with power, water, and carbon dioxide; and a fuel cell power generation system that includes a reformer which converts the methane supplied from the methane generation system into hydrogen and a fuel cell which generates power using the hydrogen supplied from the reformer, in which the fuel cell power generation system includes a circulation flow path which recirculates an off-gas of the hydrogen generated in the fuel cell and a separator which separates carbon dioxide from the off-gas of the hydrogen, and the distributed methanation system further includes a carbon dioxide recovery device which recovers the carbon dioxide separated by the separator.