Methods and systems for large scale carbon dioxide utilization from Lake Kivu via a CO<sub>2 </sub>industrial utilization hub integrated with electric power production and optional cryo-energy storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently extracting and utilizing the massive amounts of dissolved CO2 and biomethane from Lake Kivu, as existing methods either release harmful CO2 into the atmosphere or pose risks to local populations, and current technologies are inefficient in separating and utilizing these gases for power generation and industrial purposes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving oxyfuel combustion technology combined with a total degassing process, which extracts both CO2 and biomethane from Lake Kivu's deepwater, utilizing an Air Separation Unit to feed the gases into an oxyfuel combustor, producing power with high thermal efficiency and minimizing methane and energy loss, while also treating the return flow to enhance lake safety and produce valuable bioproducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CO2 is extracted from Lake Kivu deepwater, then the risk of catastrophic CO2 release is reduced, but the extracted CO2 must be safely managed to avoid atmospheric release or extended risk to local population
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 gas into a valuable industrial resource by implementing a CO2 utilization hub that supplies multiple industrial facilities (greenhouses, beverage carbonation, dry ice production, chemical manufacturing) with captured CO2, thereby eliminating the harm while creating economic benefits
2Productivity
If biomethane is extracted for power generation, then energy production increases, but separation and utilization technologies must efficiently handle the associated CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the biomethane power generation system with a CO2 capture and utilization hub into an integrated facility, where the CO2 separation unit simultaneously supports both power generation and multiple industrial CO2 applications, reducing overall system complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If CO2 is vented to atmosphere during degassing, then power generation from biomethane is simplified, but environmental harm and CO2 emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of venting CO2 to atmosphere, the patent captures the CO2 during degassing and redirects it to a utilization hub that supplies industrial facilities, converting what would be harmful emissions into valuable industrial feedstock
4Object-generated harmful factors
If CO2 is returned to lake depths, then CO2 is sequestered, but the risk of mass catastrophe is extended to local population
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts CO2 from the lake and removes it from the natural cycle entirely by directing it to industrial utilization facilities, preventing both atmospheric release and return to lake depths, thereby eliminating the catastrophe risk while maintaining sequestration benefits
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 approach enables efficient power generation, reduces the risk of catastrophic CO2 releases, and optimizes the utilization of both CO2 and biomethane, increasing electricity production and industrial productivity by creating valuable products from the degassed water, thus addressing the environmental and economic challenges associated with Lake Kivu's deepwater resources.
Implementation Method 1
This invention applies a technology known as oxyfuel combustion in combination with an innovative modality of degassing of Lake Kivu deepwater gas
Implementation Method 2
an Air Separation Unit to feed the gases into an oxyfuel combustor
Implementation Method 3
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20160257577 A1 relates to a method for treating nutrient-rich dense deepwater from Lake Kivu
Data Source
AI summary
Lake Kivu contains ˜50 million tonnes (MT) dissolved biomethane. Efficient use is problematic from massive associated CO2: ˜600 MT. Conventional extraction scrubs CO2 with ˜50% overall CH4 loss, and returns ˜80% CO2 into the deep lake, preserving a catastrophe hazard threatening >2 M people. Methods and systems are disclosed coupling: (1) efficient CH4+CO2 degassing; (2) optional oxyfuel power generation and CO2 power cycle technologies; and (3) CO2 capture, processing, storage and use in a utilization hub. The invention optimally allows power production with >2× improved efficiency plus cryo-energy storage and large-scale greentech industrialization. CO2-utilizing products can include: Mg-cements/building materials, algal products/biofuels, urea, bioplastics and recycled materials, plus CO2 for greenhouse agriculture, CO2-EOR/CCS, off-grid cooling, fumigants, solvents, carbonation, packaging, ores-, biomass-, and agro-processing, cold pasteurization, frack and geothermal fluids, and inputs to produce methanol, DME, CO, syngas, formic acid, bicarbonate and other greentech chemicals, fuels, fertilizers and carbon products.