Oxy-fired Power Generation Control via Model Predictive Oxygen Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electricity production systems with oxy-combustion technologies face challenges in optimizing carbon capture and electricity generation while complying with regulatory requirements, as they lack efficient control mechanisms to balance oxygen distribution, carbon capture values, and power demand.
Innovation Solution
A control system that determines oxygen distribution, carbon capture values, and power consumption for an oxy-fired boiler unit, steam turbine, and gas processing unit using a coordinated Model Predictive Control, allowing for operation in multiple modes to maximize carbon capture and electricity production value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If oxy-combustion technology is implemented to capture carbon dioxide, then carbon capture capability is improved, but system complexity and operational control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: air separation unit (ASU) for oxygen production, oxy-combustion boiler for fuel burning with oxygen enrichment, flue gas treatment system for CO2 capture, and steam turbine for electricity generation. Each module operates semi-independently with its own control parameters, allowing complex CO2 capture processes to be managed through modular subsystems rather than a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The air separation unit operates in advance to produce and store liquid oxygen before combustion occurs. The system pre-cools and liquefies air to separate oxygen components, storing them in insulated tanks ready for delivery to the boiler. This preliminary oxygen preparation enables controlled oxy-combustion while decoupling the timing of oxygen production from fuel combustion, simplifying real-time control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If oxygen is stored in tanks for later use in combustion, then operational flexibility is improved, but energy loss from cooling and storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation unit operates periodically, cycling between air intake, cooling, oxygen separation, and storage phases. During high electricity demand periods, the ASU operates at full capacity to produce and store oxygen. During low-demand periods, it reduces operation or uses stored oxygen, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational requirements while managing energy consumption through rhythmic operation rather than continuous high-energy processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs nested thermal insulation structures where liquid oxygen is stored in insulated tanks that are themselves nested within larger thermal management systems. The ASU integrates multiple functional stages (compression, cooling, separation, storage) in a nested arrangement where each subsystem operates within the thermal envelope of the previous one, minimizing heat ingress and reducing the energy required for maintaining cryogenic temperatures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operational modes are implemented for different electricity demand scenarios, then adaptability to market conditions is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on real-time electricity pricing signals and demand conditions. The ASU oxygen production rate, boiler combustion intensity, and turbine output are continuously modulated rather than operating in fixed discrete modes. This dynamic control allows smooth transitions between different operational states (base load, peak load, part-load) without requiring separate control systems for each scenario, managing complexity through continuous adaptation rather than discrete mode switching.
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 enhances carbon capture efficiency, reduces carbon emissions, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards by optimizing oxygen use and power generation, thereby maximizing the value of carbon capture and electricity production operations.
Implementation Method 1
an air separation unit configured to separate oxygen gas from air for feeding the oxygen gas to the boiler unit for combustion of fuel
Implementation Method 2
an oxy-fired boiler unit configured to combust fuel and generate steam
Implementation Method 3
a turbine configured to receive steam emitted by the boiler unit for generating electricity
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity production system configured to operate in accordance with a method of operating an electricity production system that at least includes the steps of: determining an oxygen distribution between oxygen gas to be separated by an air separation unit (“ASU”) and oxygen gas stored in a storage tank of the ASU to be fed to the boiler unit, determining a carbon capture value for a gas processing unit, determining a power consumption value for the gas processing unit and the ASU, determining a total power demand value based on the power consumption value of the gas processing unit and the ASU, and on a determined electricity demand, and controlling the boiler unit, the turbine, the ASU, and the gas processing unit based on the determined total power demand along with correcting signals generated from a coordinated Model Predictive Control.