Power generation process utilizing fuel, liquid air and/or oxygen with zero co2 emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical power network faces instability due to misalignment between energy supply and demand, exacerbated by the rigidity and discontinuity of traditional energy sources, and the environmental impact of high-emission power plants, while existing storage and sequestration technologies like LAES and oxy-combustion suffer from inefficiencies and high energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
Integration of oxy-combustion technologies with liquid air energy storage (LAES) using a process that involves high-pressure gas turbines, direct or indirect heat exchange, and recycling of CO2 and water vapor to achieve efficient power production and liquefaction, thereby stabilizing the network and promoting renewable energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If oxy-combustion technologies are used for power production, then CO2 emissions are concentrated and can be sequestered, but the process requires energy-intensive separation of oxygen from nitrogen and liquefaction of CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines oxy-combustion power production with liquid air energy storage (LAES) in a single integrated system. The air separation unit produces both oxygen for combustion and liquid air for energy storage simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate oxygen production and CO2 liquefaction processes. This merging of functions reduces overall energy consumption while capturing CO2 emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid air produced in the LAES system serves multiple purposes: it acts as an energy storage medium for grid stabilization, provides a cold source for CO2 liquefaction, and can be used as an oxygen source for the combustor when evaporated. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes energy expenditure.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid air energy storage (LAES) is used to stabilize the electrical power network, then energy storage capacity is increased, but the process requires high energy expenditure for air liquefaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates LAES with oxy-combustion power production, where the air separation unit simultaneously produces liquid air for storage and oxygen for combustion. This combined approach allows the system to store large quantities of energy while the combustion process provides heat that can be utilized in the air separation and CO2 liquefaction processes, reducing the net energy expenditure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own internal resources to reduce energy consumption: the heat from combustion is used in the air separation process, and the cold from liquid air evaporation is used for CO2 liquefaction. This self-service approach minimizes external energy input while maintaining high storage capacity.
3Reliability
If hydroelectric and turbogas power plants are used to cover demand peaks, then network stability is improved, but hydroelectric space is limited and turbogas emits large amounts of greenhouse gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges oxy-combustion power production with LAES to create a system that can rapidly respond to demand peaks. The stored liquid air can be quickly evaporated and used to drive the turbine, providing flexible power generation without greenhouse gas emissions, replacing the need for turbogas plants while maintaining network stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of air from liquid (storage) to gas (power generation) on demand, enabling rapid response to load variations. This phase change allows the system to provide flexible power generation similar to hydroelectric and turbogas plants but without the associated limitations and emissions.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources like solar and wind are used to replace combustion power plants, then environmental impact is reduced, but the discontinuity of these sources aggravates network instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing energy in liquid air form during periods of excess renewable energy generation. This stored energy can then be rapidly deployed when renewable sources are unavailable, ensuring continuous power supply and maintaining network stability while keeping environmental impact low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores excess energy from renewable sources by converting it to liquid air through the air separation unit. This recovered energy is then available for later use, transforming the discontinuous nature of renewable sources into a reliable, on-demand power supply without compromising environmental benefits.
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 integration enhances network stability, increases energy efficiency, and reduces environmental impact by achieving a high efficiency of about 80% in fuel use, while extending the life of non-renewable resources and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
producing, in a combustor, an exhaust gas mainly composed of carbon dioxide and water vapor
Implementation Method 2
expanding said exhaust gas in a first expander with power production
Implementation Method 3
cooling the expanded exhaust gas in a heat recovery unit, thus obtaining a cooled expanded exhaust gas and a first heated working fluid
Implementation Method 4
separating a first portion of condensed water vapor in a first separator
Implementation Method 5
pumping a portion of the condensed water vapor and recycling it to the combustor
Implementation Method 6
cooling said partially dehydrated exhaust gas in a first heat exchanger, thus obtaining a further cooled exhaust gas and a second heated working fluid
Implementation Method 7
separating a second portion of condensed water vapor in a second separator
Implementation Method 8
subjecting said further dehydrated exhaust gas to a yet further dehydration in a dehydration unit
Implementation Method 9
liquefying the CO2 in said exhaust gas mainly composed of CO2 in a liquefaction unit
Data Source
AI summary
A system which integrates a power production system and an energy storage system represented by gas liquefaction systems is provided.