Performic Acid Fuel Cycle for Zero CO2 Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation systems emit carbon dioxide, requiring energy-intensive and costly air separation or oxy-fuel combustion, which are inefficient and environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop carbon dioxide power cycle using performic acid or a combination of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide as fuel, producing only water and carbon dioxide as combustion products, eliminating the need for air separation and pure oxygen, with a closed-loop fluidic circuit recycling CO2 for continuous use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If combustion based power generation systems use liquid hydrocarbon fuels, then energy storage density and storage capability are improved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel from conventional hydrocarbons to formic acid and hydrogen peroxide mixture, which alters the combustion products to eliminate CO2 emissions while maintaining energy density. This parameter change in fuel chemistry resolves the contradiction between energy storage and harmful emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite fuel system combining formic acid and hydrogen peroxide in specific ratios, creating a new composite chemical system that provides both high energy density and zero CO2 emissions. This composite approach allows the system to achieve benefits of both high energy content and environmental cleanliness.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If air separation units or oxy-fuel combustion are used to reduce CO2 emissions, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the source of CO2 emissions by using a fuel formulation that does not produce CO2 during combustion. Instead of treating CO2 after combustion through complex separation units, the solution removes the harmful factor at its source, thereby eliminating the need for air separation equipment and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the traditional harmful combustion process into a beneficial emission-free process by using formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The combustion reaction, traditionally harmful due to CO2 production, is transformed into a clean energy release that produces only water and heat, turning a harmful process into a beneficial one.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If air separation units or oxy-fuel combustion are used to reduce CO2 emissions, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for expensive air separation infrastructure by using a fuel system that inherently produces no CO2. This removal of the harmful emission source also removes the need for costly capture and separation equipment, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining emission reduction goals.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If pure oxygen is used for combustion, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but oxygen storage and distribution difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel system serves itself by containing all necessary components for clean combustion within the fuel mixture itself. The formic acid and hydrogen peroxide combination provides both fuel and oxidizer in the correct proportions, eliminating the need for external oxygen storage and distribution infrastructure while maintaining emission-free operation.
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 generates heat and work without releasing CO2 into the environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating the need for air separation units, while allowing for the recycling and storage of high-purity CO2.
Implementation Method 1
combustion chamber having a first inlet for receiving a fuel... combusting the fuel inside the combustion chamber in the presence of the first stream (S1) of the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
combustion gases from the combustion chamber include only water and carbon dioxide, and the fuel includes performic acid or a combination of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide
Implementation Method 3
a closed-loop fluidic circuit fluidly connected between a second inlet of the combustion chamber and an outlet of the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 4
generates heat and work without the need for air separation or pure oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
An emission-free power generation system includes a combustion chamber having a first inlet for receiving a fuel and a closed-loop fluidic circuit fluidly connected between a second inlet of the combustion chamber and an outlet of the combustion chamber. Combustion gases from the combustion chamber include only water and carbon dioxide, and the fuel includes performic acid or a combination of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide.