Recuperated CO2 Power Cycle for Low-Emission Mechanical Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation systems based on fossil fuels and biomasses produce high carbon dioxide emissions and are costly, failing to meet energy consumption needs and requiring high capital expenditures.
Innovation Solution
A fuel to mechanical energy conversion plant utilizing carbon dioxide as a fluid, with a thermodynamic cycle that includes a compression and pumping unit, heat exchange recuperators, and multiple driving units to recover heat and reduce carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fossil fuels are used for power generation, then energy consumption needs are met, but carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures carbon dioxide emissions from the power generation process and converts this harmful byproduct into a useful resource. The captured CO2 is compressed and injected into geological formations for storage, transforming an environmental hazard into a benefit by reducing atmospheric emissions while maintaining power generation productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, the system recovers the CO2 through capture technology, processes it through compression equipment, and stores it in underground formations. This recovery approach eliminates the harmful emission while preserving the energy production function
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alternative energy production systems are used, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but power production cannot satisfy consumption needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces carbon capture and storage technology as an intermediary system between fossil fuel power generation and the environment. This intermediary allows continued use of high-capacity fossil fuel systems while mediating the harmful output, thus maintaining power production capacity without the negative environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the traditional open-cycle emission mechanism with a closed-loop carbon capture and storage system. By substituting the natural emission pathway with an engineered capture-compression-injection system, the patent enables fossil fuel power plants to maintain productivity while eliminating harmful emissions
3Object-generated harmful factors
If known power production systems based on fossil fuels are improved to reduce carbon dioxide, then emissions are reduced, but capital expenditures and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the carbon management system into distinct functional modules: capture units at the power plant, compression facilities, and injection systems. This segmentation allows for modular deployment and operation, enabling facilities to implement carbon reduction based on their specific needs and budget constraints, thereby managing capital expenditures more effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon capture and storage system is designed to be applicable to various types of fossil fuel power generation facilities. The universal approach allows different power plants to implement the same technology framework, achieving economies of scale and reducing per-unit capital expenditures through standardized equipment and processes
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
The system achieves reduced carbon dioxide emissions per kilowatt produced, lowers capital expenditures, and maintains high energy efficiency by capturing and compressing carbon dioxide, allowing for its direct extraction at various pressures.
Implementation Method 1
Each heat exchange recuperator is arranged for heating the fluid supplied by the fluid feedback line and compressed by the compression and pumping unit, to be fed into the driving units, by exchanging the heat of the expanded discharged fluid from the driving units
Implementation Method 2
each driving unit comprises a combustor to burn fuel
Implementation Method 3
an expander, operatively connected to the combustor, a rotating shaft, driven by the expander
Implementation Method 4
a compressor, for compressing and increasing the pressure of the dehumidified fluid
Implementation Method 5
a pump, for increasing the pressure of the fluid. The pump is interposed between the heat exchanger and the fluid feedback line
Data Source
AI summary
An energy conversion plant is disclosed, having a plurality of driving units, for driving respective loads, such as an electric motor or a centrifugal compressor. The energy conversion plant comprises at least one heat exchange recuperator, for heating pre-compressed carbon dioxide to be fed into the driving units by the heat produced by the driving units themselves.