Methane Production Plant Using CO2 Capture and Solar Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy production often results in electricity over-production during low consumption periods, and hydrogen, a byproduct of Power-to-Gas processes, is not easily storable or transferable, necessitating a more efficient energy carrier solution.
Innovation Solution
A plant that integrates a water electrolyser, atmospheric carbon dioxide capture device, and methanation reactor, utilizing solar energy and heat transfer to produce methane, reducing water and heat consumption by leveraging atmospheric CO2 capture and synergies in heat and water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydrogen is produced via electrolyser in Power-to-Gas process, then electricity can be stored as energy carrier, but hydrogen is not easily storable and transferable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms hydrogen from its gaseous state into liquid methane through chemical reaction with captured CO2. This parameter change in molecular structure and physical state converts an difficult-to-store gas into an easily storable and transferable liquid fuel that can be integrated into existing gas infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces CO2 capture device and methanation reactor as intermediary components between the electrolyser and final energy storage. The CO2 acts as a mediator that reacts with hydrogen to form methane, enabling the transition from non-storable hydrogen to storable methane while capturing greenhouse gases in the process.
2Productivity
If water is supplied to methanation reactor, then methane production is enabled, but water consumption increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers water from the CO2 capture process and reuses it as feedstock for the methanation reactor. This circular water management approach eliminates water loss, reduces operational costs, and maintains continuous methane production by integrating water recycling into the process flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The captured CO2 serves multiple functions: it is the carbon source for methane production and simultaneously its associated water condensate becomes the water source for the methanation reactor. This multi-functionality reduces external water requirements and simplifies the overall process architecture.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar collectors are used for heat transfer, then renewable energy utilization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar thermal collection system with the CO2 capture and methanation processes by using the solar-heated fluid to provide thermal energy for CO2 desorption and methanation reaction. This integration reduces the need for separate heating systems and utilizes renewable energy directly within the chemical process streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own internal thermal requirements to drive the solar collectors, which in turn provide heat for the processes that generate the methane product. The methanation reactor and CO2 capture device create their own heat demands that are satisfied by the solar thermal system, making the renewable energy integration self-justifying and reducing external energy inputs.
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 plant achieves efficient methane production, reducing water requirements and operational costs while providing a stable energy carrier, contributing to climate change mitigation and energy independence by utilizing CO2 capture and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a water electrolyser supplied with electrical energy from the electric energy source, suitable for producing hydrogen in gas form
Implementation Method 2
solar collectors and a means for transferring heat from the solar collectors to the carbon dioxide capture device
Implementation Method 3
a means for transferring heat from the solar collectors to the carbon dioxide capture device
Implementation Method 4
a methanation reactor, fitted with an inlet for hydrogen from the electrolyser, and with an inlet for water and carbon dioxide from the atmospheric carbon dioxide capture device, and suitable for producing methane
Data Source
AI summary
The methane production plant consists of several key components, including an electric energy source, an electrolyser that supplies hydrogen gas, an atmospheric carbon dioxide capture device that provides carbon dioxide and water, and a methanation reactor that produces methane using the hydrogen, water, and carbon dioxide. Additionally, the plant features solar collectors and a heat transfer system that supplies heat from the solar collectors to the carbon dioxide capture device.