Oxy-Fuel Combustor with Porous Transpiration Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power generation methods using fossil fuels face challenges such as low thermal efficiencies in CO2 capture, high capital costs, and increased carbon emissions, with oxy-fuel combustion systems limited by operating temperature and pressure, leading to inefficient energy production and custom-designed scrubber systems for each fuel type.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure, high-temperature oxy-fuel combustor system that mixes carbonaceous fuels with enriched oxygen and a working fluid, using a porous transpiration member to direct a transpiration substance through the combustion chamber, enhancing heat transfer and reducing damage from ash and slag, allowing for efficient combustion and reduced equipment size and capital costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional combustors operate at limited temperatures and pressures to prevent damage to combustor walls and turbine blades, then equipment durability is improved, but combustion efficiency deteriorates and combustion volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustor wall durabilityVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The combustor employs a porous transpiration member through which a transpiration substance (coolant fluid) is directed. This porous structure enables the coolant to penetrate and form a protective layer on the combustor walls, effectively cooling them and preventing damage from high-temperature combustion while allowing the system to operate at higher temperatures and pressures for improved efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

A transpiration substance (coolant fluid) is introduced as an intermediary between the combustion products and the combustor walls. This substance flows through the porous transpiration member and forms a protective barrier layer that shields the walls from thermal damage, enabling the system to sustain higher operating temperatures without compromising wall integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If limited combustion volume is used to improve system compactness, then equipment size is reduced, but combustion completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion chamber volumeVSAvoidcombustion completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system operates at elevated pressures and temperatures, fundamentally changing the combustion parameters. These parameter changes increase the reaction rate and energy density, allowing complete combustion to occur within a smaller volume while maintaining combustion completeness through the intensified thermal environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If custom-designed scrubber systems are implemented for each fuel type, then pollutant removal effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and capital costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant removal effectivenessVSAvoidscrubber system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The combustor design with porous transpiration cooling and working fluid injection creates a universal system that can effectively combust different fuel types (coal, oil, gas, biomass) with consistent performance. The standardized design eliminates the need for custom scrubber systems for each fuel type, as the fundamental combustion process and emission characteristics are controlled uniformly across different fuels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 high efficiency power generation with reduced CO2 emissions, lower capital costs, and the ability to produce pure CO2 for sequestration, operating effectively with various fuels and reducing the need for custom-designed scrubber systems.

Implementation Method 1

a porous perimetric transpiration member at least partially defining the combustion chamber, and being at least partially surrounded by the pressure containment member. The porous transpiration member is configured to substantially uniformly direct a transpiration substance therethrough toward the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTranspiration cooling: Transpiration

Implementation Method 2

the transpiration substance is directed to flow helically about the perimeter thereof and longitudinally between the inlet portion and the outlet portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The combustion chamber is further configured to direct the combustion product longitudinally toward the outlet portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

a mixing arrangement configured to mix a carbonaceous fuel with enriched oxygen and a working fluid to form a fuel mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 5

the inlet portion is configured to receive the fuel mixture for combustion within the combustion chamber at a combustion temperature to form a combustion product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2612075B1Apparatus for combusting a fuel at high pressure and high temperature, and associated system
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 8 RIVERS CAPITAL LLC
  • EP2612075B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2612075B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2612075B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A combustor apparatus (220) is provided, comprising a mixing arrangement (250) for mixing a carbonaceous fuel with enriched oxygen and a working fluid to form a fuel mixture. A combustion chamber (222) is at least partially defined by a porous perimetric transpiration member (230), at least partially surrounded by a pressure containment member (338). The combustion chamber has longitudinally spaced apart inlet and outlet portions (222A, 222B). The fuel mixture is received by the inlet portion (222A) for combustion within the combustion chamber at a combustion temperature to form a combustion product. The combustion chamber (222) further directs the combustion product longitudinally toward the outlet (222B) portion. The porous transpiration member (230) is configured to substantially uniformly direct a transpiration substance therethrough, about the perimeter thereof defining the combustion chamber and longitudinally between the inlet and outlet portions, toward the combustion chamber for buffering interaction between the combustion product and the porous transpiration member. Associated systems are also provided.