Partial Oxidation Power System with Integrated CO2 Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power production methods using solid fuels face challenges in achieving high efficiency while simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide, particularly due to the inert nitrogen gas and solid residues in combustion products, which hinder efficient energy conversion and carbon sequestration.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a partial oxidation (POX) system that combines solid or liquid fuels with oxygen to produce a POX stream, which is then processed through a series of steps including COS hydrolysis, cooling, purification, compression, and combustion in a power production system (PPS) to generate power and capture CO2, utilizing a POX reactor, heat exchangers, and a PPS combustor to optimize energy conversion and carbon capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional combustion methods are used to generate power from solid fuels, then power production is achieved, but carbon capture efficiency deteriorates due to inert nitrogen gas and solid residues in combustion products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower production efficiencyVSAvoidcarbon dioxide emission and solid residues
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion process is segmented into two distinct stages: partial oxidation in a gasifier to convert solid fuel to combustible gas, followed by complete combustion of the gas in a separate combustor. This segmentation allows the solid fuel processing and gas combustion to occur in different environments, enabling efficient carbon capture by separating the CO2-rich combustion products from the solid fuel feed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fuel throughout the process. Solid fuel is partially oxidized at controlled conditions to produce combustible gas, which is then compressed to high pressure (10-50 MPa) and combusted. The combustion products are cooled and processed to separate CO2 for capture, transforming the fuel from solid to gas phase and controlling oxidation parameters to optimize both power generation and carbon capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If partial oxidation is used to convert solid fuel to gas, then power production efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower production efficiencyVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into integrated system components. The gasifier combines partial oxidation, gas cleaning, and cooling functions. The combustor integrates high-pressure combustion with heat recovery. The system combines these subsystems into a unified power generation platform that achieves >50% efficiency while capturing CO2, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate conventional systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs multi-functional components that perform multiple operations. The POX reactor serves as both a gasifier for fuel conversion and a source of combustible gas for power generation. The PPS combustor handles both complete combustion and heat recovery. The integrated system design allows these components to serve multiple purposes simultaneously, improving efficiency while managing complexity.

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

3Power

If complete combustion is performed to maximize energy extraction, then power efficiency is improved, but carbon capture becomes more difficult due to mixed combustion products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidcarbon dioxide separation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts CO2 from the combustion product stream through a dedicated separation process. The high-pressure combustion products are cooled and processed to separate CO2 for capture and storage. This extraction approach allows complete combustion for maximum energy efficiency while simultaneously enabling efficient carbon capture by removing CO2 from the product stream before discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enables high efficiency power production with simultaneous carbon capture, achieving efficiencies greater than 50% on a lower heating value basis and complete removal of fuel and combustion-derived impurities, while reducing CO2 emissions and operational costs compared to existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

combining a solid or liquid fuel and oxygen in a POX reactor under conditions sufficient to partially oxidize the fuel and form a POX stream comprising a fuel gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPartial oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

processing a portion of the POX stream comprising the fuel gas in a carbonyl sulfide (COS) hydrolysis reactor adapted to convert COS to H2S

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

cooling the POX stream comprising the fuel gas in a POX heat exchanger to a second, lower temperature; passing the expanded PPS combustion product stream through a PPS recuperator heat exchanger and thereby withdrawing heat from the PPS combustion product stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

expanding the combustion product stream across a PPS turbine to generate power and form an expanded PPS combustion product stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExpansion: Turbine

Implementation Method 5

compressing the stream of the fuel gas to a pressure of about 12 MPa or greater; pressurizing the recycle CO2 stream in a PPS compressor to form a compressed recycle CO2 stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 6

removing at least a portion of one or more impurities from the cooled PPS combustion product stream to form a recycle CO2 stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSeparation:

Data Source

PatentEP3512925B1System and method for power production using partial oxidation
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 8 RIVERS CAPITAL LLC
  • EP3512925B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3512925B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3512925B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a power production system that is adapted to achieve high efficiency power production using partial oxidation of a solid or liquid fuel to form a partially oxidized stream that comprises a fuel gas. This fuel gas stream can be one or more of quenched, filtered, and cooled before being directed to a combustor of a power production system as the combustion fuel. The partially oxidized stream is combined with a compressed recycle CO2 stream and oxygen. The combustion stream is expanded across a turbine to produce power and passed through a recuperator heat exchanger. The expanded and cooled exhaust stream can be further processed to provide the recycle CO2 stream, which is compressed and passed through one or more recuperator heat exchangers in a manner useful to provide increased efficiency to the combined systems.