Oxy-Fuel Power Cycle With Sequestration-Ready CO2

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for capturing carbon dioxide from fossil-fuel power plants are costly and inefficient, as captured CO2 requires additional processing and transportation to sequestration sites, lacking a direct pathway for immediate pipeline transport and storage.

Innovation Solution

An oxy-fuel based power cycle that utilizes gaseous, liquid, and supercritical phases of CO2, involving compression, cooling, and combustion to generate power while producing sequestration-ready CO2, which can be directly introduced into transportation pipelines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carbon dioxide is captured from fossil-fuel power plants using conventional methods, then carbon dioxide can be separated from exhaust gases, but additional processing and transportation costs are required before sequestration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide capture reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing and transportation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the carbon dioxide capture process with the power generation cycle by using oxy-fuel combustion. The CO2 capture occurs simultaneously with power production, eliminating the need for separate capture and processing systems. The combusted CO2 is directly in a state suitable for pipeline transportation, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system makes the CO2 stream serve multiple functions: it is both the combustion fuel and the sequestration product. The same CO2 that is combusted to generate power is also the CO2 that will be sequestered, eliminating the need for separate handling systems and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If captured carbon dioxide is transported to sequestration sites, then carbon dioxide can be stored, but transportation costs and energy demand increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide sequestration capabilityVSAvoidenergy demand for CO2 pumping and transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of CO2 by using oxy-fuel combustion to produce CO2 in a supercritical or liquid state. This phase change eliminates the need for energy-intensive pumping and transportation, as the CO2 can be directly injected into sequestration sites in its condensed state, dramatically reducing energy demand for movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary condensation of CO2 during the combustion process itself, before transportation is needed. By pre-cooling and condensing the CO2 in-situ at the power plant, the system eliminates subsequent energy-intensive transportation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If conventional power generation methods are used, then power can be produced, but carbon dioxide emissions contribute to global warming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower production capabilityVSAvoidcarbon dioxide emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pure oxygen instead of air for combustion in the oxy-fuel system. This strong oxidant approach allows complete combustion while enabling subsequent CO2 separation, as the CO2 is produced in a pure state mixed with water vapor rather than being diluted in nitrogen-rich air exhaust.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful CO2 emission into a beneficial product by using it as the combustion fuel itself. The CO2 that would normally be a harmful pollutant is instead utilized as the oxidizer in the combustion process, transforming it from a waste product into a necessary component of power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If complex CO2 capture and processing systems are implemented, then carbon dioxide can be sequestered, but system design and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide sequestration readinessVSAvoidsystem design and operational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CO2 handling into distinct phases: combustion phase (where CO2 is produced and condensed), transportation phase (where pre-condensed CO2 is moved), and sequestration phase (where CO2 is injected). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, simplifying the overall system design while maintaining sequestration readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20120090352A1Methods And Apparatus For An Oxy-Fuel Based Power Cycle

Publication Date: 2012.04.19 SOUTHWEST RES INST

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for an oxy-fuel combustion power cycle are provided, including converting gaseous carbon dioxide to liquid and/or supercritical carbon dioxide which may include the use of a cryogenic pump, removing a portion of the liquid and/or supercritical carbon dioxide from the cycle, combusting oxygen and a combustion fuel with the remaining liquid and/or supercritical carbon dioxide in an oxy-fuel combustor to generate steam and additional liquid and/or supercritical carbon dioxide which replaces the portion of the liquid and/or supercritical carbon dioxide sequestered from the cycle.