Power Cycle Control Architecture for CO2 Recycling and Load Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for advanced control systems that can efficiently manage and optimize the operation of power production systems, particularly those using fossil fuels, to achieve high efficiency and complete carbon capture, while addressing challenges such as precise control of pressure, temperature, and stream composition.
Innovation Solution
The development of integrated control systems that include controllers for managing parameters like fuel flow, oxidant flow, turbine outlet temperature, and CO2 recycling, allowing for automated control of power production systems, including the use of sensors and computer algorithms to adjust valve openings and pump speeds to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automated control systems with multiple sensors and algorithms are implemented to precisely control pressure, temperature, and stream composition, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent controller units, each responsible for specific parameters (fuel flow, oxidant flow, turbine outlet temperature, CO2 recycling). This segmentation allows precise control of individual parameters while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing the complexity burden of centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
Controller units serve as intermediaries between sensors and final control elements (valves, pumps). These controllers process sensor data and generate control signals, acting as mediators that simplify the overall system architecture while enabling precise control through standardized interfaces and control algorithms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable speed operation of turbines and compressors is implemented to optimize performance, then adaptability and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine and compressor are equipped with variable speed capabilities, allowing their rotational speeds to be dynamically adjusted based on operational requirements. This dynamic operation enables the system to adapt to different power demands and optimize efficiency across varying load conditions, with controller units coordinating speed changes to maintain proper operational relationships between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes variable speed operation to change the operational parameters of turbines and compressors. By adjusting rotational speed, the system can optimize performance for different operating conditions, and controller units coordinate these parameter changes to maintain proper mass flow balances and pressure relationships throughout the system.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If complete carbon capture is achieved through CO2 recycling and removal, then harmful factors are reduced, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements complete carbon capture by removing CO2 from the exhaust stream and recycling it back to the combustor inlet. This process discards harmful CO2 emissions from the atmosphere while recovering and reusing the CO2 in the combustion process, effectively eliminating net carbon emissions while maintaining continuous CO2 circulation for efficient combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 that would normally be a harmful emission is converted into a beneficial resource by recycling it to the combustor inlet. The removed CO2 is not wasted but instead reused to support combustion, transforming a harmful factor into a useful component that enhances combustion efficiency while achieving complete carbon capture.
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
These control systems enable precise control over multiple parameters in power production systems, enhancing efficiency, safety, and flexibility, allowing for variable speed operation of turbines and compressors, and optimizing heat input and CO2 recycling, thereby improving overall system performance and carbon capture capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The turbine exhaust can be cooled in an economizer heat exchange to preheat the circulating CO2 stream.
Implementation Method 2
The CO2 gas stream can be compressed to be at or near the turbine inlet pressure using a gas compressor followed by a dense CO2 pump to form the circulating CO2 stream.
Implementation Method 3
Heat from an external source can be introduced to preheat part of the circulating CO2 stream to a temperature in the range 200° C. to 400° C. in order to reduce the temperature difference between the turbine exhaust and the circulating CO2 stream leaving the economizer heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
The combined stream can be passed through a power producing turbine with a discharge pressure of at least 10 bar.
Data Source
AI summary
Control systems and methods suitable for combination with power production systems and methods are provided herein. The control systems and methods may be used with, for example, closed power cycles as well as semi-closed power cycles. The combined control systems and methods and power production systems and methods can provide dynamic control of the power production systems and methods that can be carried out automatically based upon inputs received by controllers and outputs from the controllers to one or more components of the power production systems.