Fuel production using solar energy
Solution Overview
Problem
Solar-generated electricity is insufficient for water electrolysis in existing solar-assisted fuel production methods, and high-pressure products like methanol cannot be efficiently expanded in traditional turbines due to the presence of unreacted reactants, leading to wear and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a solar collector to concentrate sunlight for both heating and electricity generation, employing a semi-reflective photovoltaic cell arrangement to divide sunlight into fractions for heating and electricity, and a piston engine to expand the pressurized product mixture, generating additional electricity needed for electrolysis while handling mixed media efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional turbines are used to expand high-pressure products like methanol, then electricity generation is achieved, but the turbines suffer from wear and inefficiency due to mixed media containing unreacted reactants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unreacted reactants (water and carbon dioxide) from the product mixture before expansion. A separation unit is introduced to purify the methanol product, eliminating the harmful mixed media that causes turbine wear. This allows the turbine to operate with clean fuel only, resolving the contradiction between power generation and turbine durability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar-generated electricity is used for water electrolysis in solar-assisted fuel production, then partial energy needs are met, but the electricity supply is insufficient for complete electrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two electricity generation sources: solar panels and a combustion engine. The solar panels provide renewable energy, while the combustion engine burns unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide to generate additional electricity. This combined approach ensures sufficient power supply for complete water electrolysis, resolving the contradiction between solar energy utilization and electrolysis productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts unreacted reactants (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) that were previously considered waste or harmful emissions into a useful energy source. These gases are directed to a combustion engine to generate electricity, turning a problematic byproduct into a beneficial power source that complements solar energy for complete electrolysis.
3Ease of manufacture
If solar radiation is used for both heating and electricity generation, then area and cost efficiency is improved, but the solar-generated electricity remains insufficient for electrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a combustion engine that serves multiple functions: it generates electricity for electrolysis, converts unreacted gases into useful energy, and can operate independently or in conjunction with solar panels. This multi-functional component resolves the contradiction by ensuring adequate electricity supply while maintaining the area and cost efficiency of the integrated solar system.
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 method enables energy-efficient production of depressurized fuels like methanol from water and carbon dioxide using sunlight, providing a robust and efficient means to convert overpressure into electricity, thus addressing the insufficiency of solar-generated electricity and turbine wear issues.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electricity generated in a photovoltaic cell arrangement
Implementation Method 2
electrolytic and catalytic reactions that are heated by concentrated sunlight
Implementation Method 3
expanding the pressurized product in the piston engine to generate electricity
Implementation Method 4
an electrolysis reaction that splits the water molecules
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
There is provided a method of producing a product. The method comprises: supplying electricity generated in a photovoltaic cell arrangement and a piston engine, respectively, to electrolytic and catalytic reactions that are heated by concentrated sunlight; reacting carbon dioxide and water in the heated electrolytic and catalytic reactions to form a pressurized product, such as pressurized methanol; and expanding the pressurized product in the piston engine to generate electricity. There is also provided a system for production of the product as well as devices to be used in the method or system.