Oxygen Storage Catalyst for Gas Turbine Exhaust Oxygen Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine systems face inefficiencies at partial load operations due to limited oxidant flow control, leading to reduced efficiency and potential lean blowout issues, and existing carbon dioxide capture technologies are hindered by low pressure and concentration in exhaust gases, with high oxygen content contaminating captured CO2.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine system incorporating an oxidant system, fuel system, and a control system with a catalyst unit featuring an oxygen storage component (OSC) to reduce oxygen concentration in exhaust gases, combined with a heat recovery unit using a catalyst bed to lower oxygen content and a method for enhanced oil recovery by adjusting fuel and oxidant levels based on sensor readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If oxidant flow rate is reduced by throttling inlet guide vanes, then oxidant flow control is achieved, but pressure drop increases and flow rate control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow control function from the inlet guide vanes and relocates it to a dedicated flow control valve positioned downstream in the oxidant delivery system. This separation allows the inlet guide vanes to focus on coarse flow adjustment while the downstream valve provides precise control, thereby reducing overall pressure drop while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary flow control valve as a mediator between the inlet guide vanes and the combustor. This intermediary device enables fine-tuned oxidant flow rate control without the excessive pressure drops associated with direct vane throttling, as the valve can be optimized for low-pressure-drop operation while providing precise flow modulation.
2Ease of operation
If oxidant flow rate is reduced by throttling inlet guide vanes, then oxidant flow control is achieved, but flow rate control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the precision flow control function from the inlet guide vanes and assigns it to a dedicated flow control valve downstream in the oxidant delivery system. This separation enables the inlet guide vanes to handle coarse flow adjustment while the downstream valve provides precise control, thereby achieving both operational ease and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where the flow control valve can be adjusted in real-time based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain precise flow rate control across varying loads and conditions, overcoming the static limitations of fixed-position inlet guide vanes.
3Reliability
If exhaust gas oxygen content is not reduced, then combustion cooling function is maintained, but carbon dioxide capture efficiency deteriorates due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous combustion cooling function while progressively reducing oxygen content in the exhaust gas through controlled catalytic oxidation. The system continuously removes oxygen below a threshold level (e.g., maintaining O2 < 1% or even < 0.1%) without disrupting the essential cooling role that excess oxidant plays in the combustion chamber, thereby enabling both cooling and high-purity CO2 capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxygen concentration parameter in the exhaust gas from typical levels (several percent) to very low levels (below 1%, preferably below 0.1%) through catalytic oxidation. This parameter change enables the exhaust gas to serve dual purposes: maintaining combustion cooling function while becoming suitable for high-purity carbon dioxide capture applications.
4Loss of substance
If catalyst is added to reduce oxygen content, then carbon dioxide capture efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oxygen removal function with the existing exhaust gas treatment system by integrating a catalytic oxidation catalyst into the exhaust pathway. This catalyst is positioned to work in conjunction with existing combustion and exhaust components, removing oxygen through catalytic reaction without requiring separate complex oxygen removal equipment, thereby achieving CO2 purification with minimal added complexity.
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 achieves stable lambda control, reducing oxygen content in exhaust gases to low ppm levels, improving gas turbine efficiency and enabling effective carbon dioxide capture and enhanced oil recovery by maintaining optimal combustion conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A catalyst unit including an oxidation catalyst that includes an oxygen storage component is configured to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas
Implementation Method 2
A catalyst unit including an oxidation catalyst that includes an oxygen storage component is configured to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas
Data Source
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AI summary
The present techniques are directed to a system and methods for operating a gas turbine system. An exemplary gas turbine system includes an oxidant system, a fuel system, and a control system. A combustor is adapted to receive and combust an oxidant from the oxidant system and a fuel from the fuel system to produce an exhaust gas. A catalyst unit including an oxidation catalyst that includes an oxygen storage component is configured to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas to form a low oxygen content product gas.