Segmented Compressor Train for Carbon Capture Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide compressor systems for carbon capture and storage are inefficient at varying power levels, leading to a significant parasitic load on power stations when operating at low power, as they are optimized for full power conditions and struggle to manage reduced carbon dioxide flows effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method using a compressor train with discrete upstream, mid-stream, and downstream portions, where each portion can be operated independently, with the downstream portion's third compression step controlled based on the flow rate of gas entering the upstream portion, allowing for selective bypassing or adjustment of compressor geometry and number of operational compressors to optimize compression at varying flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a compressor train is optimized for full power conditions, then compression efficiency is improved at high flow rates, but parasitic load becomes excessive at low power operations
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor train is divided into multiple discrete compressor portions (first, second, third portions) that can be operated independently. This segmentation allows selective operation of compressor stages based on flow rate requirements, enabling efficient operation at both high and low power conditions without excessive parasitic load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of operational compressor portions based on the flow rate of carbon dioxide. At high flow rates, all compressor portions operate to maximize compression efficiency. At low flow rates, fewer compressor portions are activated to reduce parasitic load, with the configuration changing in response to varying operational conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single compressor train operates at reduced flow rates, then adaptability to low power conditions is improved, but compression efficiency deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the compressor train into multiple independent portions, the system can selectively activate the appropriate number of compressor stages based on flow rate requirements. This maintains compression efficiency across varying operational conditions by ensuring that operational compressors work at optimal load levels rather than forcing a single compressor to operate inefficiently at reduced capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the number of active compressor portions based on flow rate. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying power conditions while maintaining efficient compression, as each operational compressor portion can be optimized for its specific operating range.
3Reliability
If recirculation is used to maintain compressor operation at low power, then continuous operation is maintained, but power consumption remains excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts or removes the need for recirculation by using multiple discrete compressor portions that can be selectively operated. Instead of recirculating gas to maintain minimum flow through a single compressor train, the system simply deactivates unnecessary compressor portions, thereby eliminating the parasitic load associated with recirculation while maintaining continuous operation capability.
4Productivity
If multiple discrete compressor sections are used with intercooling, then compression efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor train is segmented into multiple discrete portions that function as separate compression stages. This segmentation provides the benefits of multi-stage compression with improved efficiency while allowing flexible operation. The portions can be operated independently, and intercooling can be applied between stages when needed, balancing complexity with performance 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 approach reduces the power required to drive the compressor train during low power operations, minimizing the parasitic load and maintaining efficiency across varying carbon dioxide production levels, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the power generation and carbon sequestration process.
Implementation Method 1
compressing it into a dense liquid state (typically at a pressure ratio of up to 200)
Data Source
AI summary
A method of compressing a gas, which uses a compressor train having a plurality of discrete portions and including at least an upstream portion, a mid-stream portion and a downstream portion arranged successively in flow series. The method includes: (i) performing a first compression step by directing a flow of said gas into the upstream compressor portion and driving the upstream compressor portion to compress the gas; (ii) performing a second compression step by directing the compressed flow from the upstream compressor portion into the mid-stream compressor portion and driving the mid-stream compressor portion to further compress the gas; and (iii) performing a third compression step by directing the compressed flow from the mid-stream compressor portion into the downstream compressor portion and driving the downstream compressor portion to further compress the gas.