Pyrolysis Product Compression via Decoupled Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam cracking processes for producing light olefins face inefficiencies due to coupling of production and recovery facilities, leading to thermal inefficiencies and increased costs, particularly when dealing with variations in steam temperature and pressure, and the need for additional steam generation during furnace outages.
Innovation Solution
A power plant producing first and second shaft powers from working fluids is used to drive the process gas compressor, decoupling the olefin production and recovery facilities, and utilizing a regenerative reverse-flow thermal pyrolysis reactor to recover and store heat, reducing the need for additional steam production and external quenching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional steam generators are used during furnace outages, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by capturing and storing waste heat from the pyrolysis process itself in the thermal energy storage system, eliminating the need for additional steam generators during outages. The stored thermal energy automatically serves the process when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and storage parameters of thermal energy by converting process heat into stored thermal energy in a controlled manner, allowing the system to maintain reliability without adding complex generation equipment.
2Temperature
If external quenching is used to cool process gas, then temperature control is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the quenching function with the thermal energy storage system by using the same medium for both cooling the process gas and storing thermal energy. The heat removed from the process gas during quenching is captured and stored rather than discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of waste heat that would otherwise be lost during quenching into a beneficial stored thermal energy resource that can be used during furnace outages or other process needs.
3Productivity
If production and recovery facilities are coupled, then productivity is improved, but thermal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage system acts as an intermediary between the production and recovery facilities, allowing thermal energy to be transferred and stored independently of the direct process coupling, thereby maintaining thermal efficiency while supporting high productivity.
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 maintains thermal efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances operational flexibility by eliminating the need for additional steam generators and external quenching, while providing independent power generation for the process gas compressor.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a regenerative reverse-flow thermal pyrolysis reactor to recover and store heat
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a regenerative reverse-flow thermal pyrolysis reactor to recover and store heat
Implementation Method 3
A power plant producing first and second shaft powers from working fluids is used to drive the process gas compressor
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a regenerative reverse-flow thermal pyrolysis reactor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the compression of a pyrolysis product to facilitate light olefin separation. The pyrolysis product is produced in a pyrolysis reaction. A power generator produces a first shaft power and a second shaft power. The pyrolysis product is compressed using at least part of the first shaft power and at least part of the second shaft power.