Methane Purification and Liquefaction for Rocket Fuel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anaerobic digestion techniques for organic solid waste produce methane with low purity, limiting its high-value utilization, and there is a need for a reliable fuel source for liquid oxygen methane rocket engines.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an anaerobic digestion unit, biogas measurement and collection unit, and methane purification and liquefaction unit, which includes pretreatment, two-stage rectification, and low-temperature storage to achieve high-purity liquid methane production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If anaerobic digestion is used to treat organic solid waste, then organic waste reduction and resource utilization are achieved, but methane purity remains low (50%-70%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the biogas purification process into multiple stages: first-stage rectification to remove CO2 and bring methane to 90%+ purity, followed by second-stage rectification to achieve 99.9%+ purity. This segmented approach efficiently raises methane purity from the initial 50%-70% to fuel-grade levels suitable for rocket engines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (ethylene glycol or similar compounds) in the rectification towers to facilitate selective absorption of CO2 from biogas. This intermediary enables the separation process to achieve high methane purity while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing methane purification methods (two-stage rectification, adsorption-expansion) are used, then methane purity reaches 99.999%, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different purification intensities at different stages: the first-stage rectification uses standard absorption towers for bulk CO2 removal, while the second-stage rectification employs more intensive purification methods only for the final polish to 99.9%+ purity. This localized quality approach achieves high purity without uniformly applying complex processes throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The first-stage rectification performs preliminary CO2 removal to bring methane to 90%+ purity before the second-stage rectification. This preliminary action reduces the burden on the second stage, allowing it to focus on final purification and achieve 99.9%+ purity with simpler equipment than would be needed for single-stage high-purity production.
3Reliability
If liquid oxygen methane rocket engines are developed, then performance and reusability improve, but a reliable methane fuel source remains unsolved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-service system where organic solid waste (agricultural, municipal, industrial) serves as the feedstock for anaerobic digestion to produce methane fuel. This closes the loop by using readily available waste materials to generate the fuel needed for rocket engines, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on external fuel sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent demonstrates that the same anaerobic digestion and purification system can produce methane suitable for multiple applications: both conventional energy uses (power generation, heating) and high-value rocket propulsion. This multi-functionality makes the fuel production system adaptable to different uses and ensures reliable fuel supply for rocket engines.
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 increases methane purity to 99.9%, enabling high-value utilization and providing a suitable fuel for liquid oxygen methane rocket engines, while effectively managing organic solid waste.
Implementation Method 1
The use of organic matter can produce a high-value clean energy, i.e., methane, through digestion by anaerobic microorganisms in the absence of oxygen.
Implementation Method 2
The existing techniques for preparing high-purity methane are continuously improved, mainly including a two-stage rectification method
Implementation Method 3
methane purification and liquefaction unit includes a high-pressure separation tank, a liquefaction pretreatment device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for high-value utilization of organic solid waste includes an anaerobic digestion unit, a biogas measurement and collection unit and a methane purification and liquefaction unit. The anaerobic digestion unit includes an organic solid waste pretreatment system and an anaerobic digestion device. The biogas measurement and collection unit includes a gas flow meter and a high-pressure biogas collection device. The methane purification and liquefaction unit includes a high-pressure separation tank, a liquefaction pretreatment system, a heavy hydrocarbon and benzene removal device, a two-stage rectification system, a low-temperature pressure liquid storage tank device and a buffer storage tank. The organic solid waste undergoes an anaerobic digestion treatment to produce methane followed by collection, purification and liquefaction.