Partial Oxidation Power Generation for Hydrogen and Carbon Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fossil fuel-burning power plants release carbon emissions directly into the atmosphere, and previous attempts at carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) are economically inefficient due to the need for expensive equipment that reduces power cycle efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that partially oxidizes hydrocarbon fuel to generate a partially oxidized gas stream containing hydrogen and heat, which is used to power a heat engine, while capturing and sequestering carbon monoxide, eliminating the need for separate heat exchanging equipment and oxy-combustion units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If complete combustion of hydrocarbon fuel is used to generate power, then energy output is maximized, but hydrogen is lost as water and carbon emissions are released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial oxidation instead of complete combustion, using limited oxygen to convert only a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel to syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide). This partial action preserves hydrogen in the gas stream for capture while still generating sufficient heat for power production, resolving the contradiction between maximizing energy output and preventing hydrogen loss
2Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon capture and sequestration equipment is added to fossil fuel power plants, then carbon emissions are reduced, but power cycle efficiency decreases due to expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts carbon monoxide from the syngas stream produced by partial oxidation and directs it to a separate oxidation unit for conversion to carbon dioxide, which is then sequestered. This extraction approach isolates the carbon capture function from the main power cycle, avoiding the efficiency losses associated with integrating expensive CCS equipment into conventional fossil fuel power plants while still achieving carbon emission reduction
3Object-generated harmful factors
If partial oxidation is used to generate hydrogen and power, then hydrogen is captured and carbon is sequestered, but additional equipment is required compared to conventional combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel conversion process into distinct functional units: a partial oxidation unit that produces syngas, a heat engine that generates power from the syngas heat content, and a separate oxidation unit that converts carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide for sequestration. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function and enables independent operation and scaling, reducing overall system complexity compared to integrated conventional CCS systems
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 generates clean energy and hydrogen efficiently, with high thermal efficiency and reduced emissions, achieving carbon capture and sequestration without additional costs for heat exchange or oxy-combustion units.
Implementation Method 1
partially oxidizing a hydrocarbon fuel to provide a partially oxidized product stream comprising H2 (hydrogen), CO (carbon monoxide), water with trace amounts of CO2 (carbon dioxide), the partially oxidized product stream having a heat content
Implementation Method 2
introducing the partially oxidized gas stream to at least one heat engine, and generating power from the heat engine using at least some of the heat content from the partially oxidizing gas stream
Implementation Method 3
Carbon monoxide from the partially oxidized hydrocarbon fuel is further oxidized to carbon dioxide and sequestered
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and systems to generate clean energy and for providing hydrogen capture and carbon capture sequestration are provided. Heat from partial oxidation of hydrocarbon fuel is used to generate clean power via one or more heat engines together with hydrogen capture and carbon capture sequestration.