Solar-Augmented Gas Turbine CHP for Desalination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water desalination systems face challenges in efficiently generating electricity and desalinated water while minimizing energy input and resource usage, particularly in industrial-scale operations.
Innovation Solution
A system integrating a gas turbine, waste heat recovery boiler, combined heat and power generation, solar-powered energy systems, and desalination, where waste heat from the gas turbine is used to augment energy in the WHRB and CHP systems, and solar energy is utilized across multiple components to enhance efficiency and reduce energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional water desalination systems are used, then desalinated water can be produced, but energy input and resource usage are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple energy generation systems (gas turbine, waste heat recovery boiler, combined heat and power generation) with desalination into an integrated system. This merging allows waste heat from power generation to be reused for desalination processes, significantly reducing external energy input while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: electricity generation, heat production, and desalinated water production. The waste heat recovery boiler and CHP system serve dual purposes of power generation and providing thermal energy for desalination, reducing the need for separate energy inputs
2Productivity
If industrial scale desalination systems are implemented, then water production capacity increases, but CO2 emissions and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The waste heat recovery boiler captures harmful waste heat that would otherwise be discharged into the environment and converts it into useful thermal energy for desalination and power generation. This transforms an environmental harm (waste heat discharge) into a beneficial resource, reducing both environmental impact and energy consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar powered energy systems are integrated, then energy efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar powered energy system is designed to provide thermal energy to multiple components within the integrated system (gas turbine, waste heat recovery boiler, CHP generation system, and desalination system). This multi-functional approach maximizes energy efficiency while managing complexity through unified system design
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 integrated system achieves significant energy savings, reduces CO2 emissions, and provides a cost-effective solution for large-scale power generation and water desalination, with a potential payback period of 1.9 years for incremental costs, while scaling up can save substantial amounts of oil and reduce CO2 emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a gas turbine system (200) generates electricity
Implementation Method 2
gas turbine system connected to a first electric generator
Implementation Method 3
a waste heat recovery boiler (WHRB) system uses the exhaust of the gas turbine system to provide heat and steam power
Implementation Method 4
a combined heat and power (CHP) generation system produces electricity
Implementation Method 5
CHP generation system connected to a second electric generator
Implementation Method 6
a desalination system produces product water
Implementation Method 7
desalination system connected to the CHP generation system and the WHRB system
Implementation Method 8
at least one solar powered energy system provides thermal energy to one or more of the gas turbine system, the WHRB system, the CHP generation system, and the desalination system
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating electricity, heat, and desalinated water having a gas turbine system connected to a first electric generator, a waste heat recovery boiler (WHRB) system, a combined heat and power (CHP) generation system connected to a second electric generator, one or more solar powered energy systems, and a desalination system. The desalination system is connected to the CHP generation system and the WHRB system. The gas turbine system generates electricity and heat, the WHRB system is connected to and uses the exhaust of the gas turbine system to provide heat and steam power to the CHP generation system. The CHP generation system produces and provides electricity and heat to the desalination system, which produces product water, and at least one solar powered energy system provides thermal energy to one or more of the gas turbine system, the WHRB system, the CHP generation system, and the desalination system.