Rapid Standby System with Methanol Storage and CO2 Heat Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rapid standby systems for emergency power supply are limited in providing electricity, heat, deionized water, and carbon dioxide, and are not designed for long-term operation, with high investment, maintenance, and operating costs, and cannot quickly switch to alternative power sources during power failures.
Innovation Solution
A rapid standby system that uses a combination of a methanol production facility, a turbine-generator facility, a direct methanol fuel cell facility, and a recovery facility for deionized water and carbon dioxide, allowing for the storage and conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy, heat, and other essential resources, with flexible storage capacity and low costs compared to conventional battery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional emergency power generators with diesel engines are used, then emergency operation can be ensured, but the response time is extended due to cold start requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-heating the diesel engine and pre-charging the battery before emergency situations occur. The diesel engine is kept in a warm state through continuous operation or heating systems, and the battery is maintained at optimal charge levels, enabling immediate or near-immediate startup when emergency power is needed, thus reducing cold start delays
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a hybrid intermediary system combining battery-electric motor and diesel engine components. The battery-electric motor serves as an intermediary that can provide immediate power while the diesel engine warms up, bridging the gap between the need for instant power and the diesel engine's warm-up requirements
2Reliability
If conventional emergency power generators are used, then temporary independence from power grids is achieved, but the systems are not designed for longer term operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both emergency and extended operation needs. It can operate in grid-connected mode for normal power supply, switch to island mode during emergencies, and sustain prolonged independent operation using the diesel generator set with fuel storage capacity designed for extended runtime, thus adapting to various operational durations
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the diesel engine in a ready state through periodic operation or heating, keeping the battery charged through solar panels or grid connection when available, and ensuring fuel supply continuity through storage tanks. This continuous preparation and operation enable seamless transition between different operational modes and sustained long-term independence
3Speed
If rapid standby systems with battery and DC motor are used, then quick response is achieved, but the systems cannot deliver electricity, heat and fuel for longer term
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple power and resource generation systems into a unified hybrid platform. It combines battery-electric motor quick-response capability with diesel generator set for extended power, solar panels for renewable energy, fuel storage and distribution systems for fuel delivery, and heat exchangers for thermal energy. This integration allows the system to provide electricity, heat, and fuel simultaneously across different operational scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic operation modes that can switch between different configurations: quick-response mode using battery-electric motor for immediate power, hybrid mode combining battery and diesel generator, extended operation mode using diesel generator with fuel storage, and renewable integration mode with solar panels. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize performance based on specific operational requirements while maintaining versatility in resource delivery
4Speed
If conventional battery systems are used for energy storage, then quick response is possible, but investment, maintenance and operating costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic battery sizing and configuration based on specific application requirements. Rather than oversizing battery systems for all scenarios, the invention allows flexible selection of battery capacity, voltage, and chemistry (lithium-ion, lead-acid, flow batteries) matched to the actual quick-response needs, reducing unnecessary costs while maintaining required response performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention explores alternative battery technologies and configurations to reduce costs, including using lead-acid batteries for less demanding applications, flow batteries for stationary storage, and hybridizing with diesel generators to reduce overall battery capacity requirements. It also optimizes battery management systems to extend lifespan and reduce maintenance costs through intelligent charging, discharging, and thermal management strategies
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
Enables fast and reliable power supply with the ability to provide multiple resources like electricity, heat, and methanol during both normal and emergency conditions, with reduced costs and flexible capacity, ensuring high performance and efficiency through the use of a CO2 heat pump and ultracapacitors for quick response and energy stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
a CO2 heat pump for compressing and condensing carbon dioxide obtained from the air
Implementation Method 2
a CO2 heat pump for compressing and condensing carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
a CO2 heat pump for compressing and condensing carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 4
an ultracapacitor for quick energy supply during transitions
Implementation Method 5
an electrolysis system for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water
Implementation Method 6
a methanol synthesis reactor for combining the hydrogen with the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 7
a methanol synthesis reactor for combining the hydrogen with the carbon dioxide to produce methanol
Implementation Method 8
A rapid standby system uses a combination of a methanol production facility, a turbine-generator facility, a direct methanol fuel cell facility
Implementation Method 9
a direct methanol fuel cell facility, allowing for the storage and conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 10
a turbine-generator facility
Implementation Method 11
a turbine-generator facility, a direct methanol fuel cell facility, allowing for the storage and conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The rapid standby power plant (RSP) for the uninterrupted supply of electricity, heat, and fuel in the event of a disruption or blackout possesses new technical capabilities that surpass the current state of the art. These advanced capabilities relate in particular to the ability to capture deionized water and CO2, as well as to liquefy CO2 using a CO2 heat pump, with the aim of long-term storage of deionized water and liquid CO2. The high efficiency of the rapid standby power plant stems from its ability to absorb surplus electricity from the upstream supply network and use it to produce a storable chemical energy carrier that fulfills all the requirements for closed-loop operation within the RSP.Using methanol as an energy carrier, which is catalytically produced in a methanol synthesis process using electrolysis hydrogen and exhaust CO2, the rapid standby system can operate independently of the grid and at the same time take precautions to return to storage operation after a grid restoration.