Solid Oxide Syngas Cell for Solar CO2-to-Fuel Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture and storage methods face challenges such as high costs, leakage concerns, and inefficiencies in converting CO2 into useful components, particularly in large-scale fossil fuel power generation, and existing solar thermal systems have limitations in long-term energy storage and fuel conversion.
Innovation Solution
A process and system that captures CO2 and H2O using solar thermal energy, converting them into hydrocarbon fuels through a syngas production cell with a solid oxide electrolyzer and catalytic reactor, generating syngas which is then converted into hydrocarbon fuels, utilizing a solar thermal power system to provide thermal energy and electricity for the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional carbon capture and storage methods are used, then CO2 can be captured and stored, but the process incurs high costs and faces leakage concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts CO2, a harmful greenhouse gas, into useful hydrocarbon fuels through a multi-step process involving carbon capture, conversion to carbon monoxide, and subsequent fuel synthesis. This transforms the waste product into a valuable energy source, eliminating storage costs and leakage risks while providing additional energy value
Solution Approach 2:
The process changes the chemical state of carbon from CO2 to CO and then to various hydrocarbon forms through controlled chemical reactions. By altering the chemical parameters and reaction conditions, the system converts an unwanted gas into multiple useful fuel products
2Duration of action of stationary object
If solar thermal systems are used for energy storage, then thermal energy can be stored, but long-term storage requires large tanks and suffers from heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses phase transitions of water (liquid to steam) in the solar thermal power cycle, and phase transitions of carbon compounds during fuel synthesis. These phase changes enable efficient energy conversion and storage in chemical bonds rather than thermal form, eliminating heat loss problems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts thermal energy into chemical energy stored in hydrocarbon fuel bonds. This transformation eliminates the heat loss problem inherent in thermal storage by storing energy in a stable chemical form that can be kept indefinitely without degradation
3Power
If photovoltaics are used for electricity generation, then small scale electricity can be generated, but the system is capital intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges solar thermal power generation with carbon capture and fuel synthesis into a single integrated system. This combination allows the system to generate electricity while simultaneously producing fuel and capturing CO2, spreading the capital cost across multiple valuable outputs and improving economic viability
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 effectively converts CO2 and H2O into hydrocarbon fuels, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions, and providing a stable energy source without the need for fossil fuels, while addressing the inefficiencies of existing carbon capture and storage methods.
Implementation Method 1
receiving direct sunlight with a plurality of heliostats and reflecting the direct sunlight from the heliostats as reflected sunlight onto a tower receiver
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer fluid provides heat to the steam generator, converting a water stream to a generated steam stream
Implementation Method 3
The generated steam stream is fed to a steam turbine, the steam turbine converts thermal energy in the generated steam stream to mechanical energy to drive an electric generator
Implementation Method 4
converting the carbon dioxide and water in the heated fuel feed stream to carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the syngas production cell
Implementation Method 5
supplying the electricity to the porous cathode of the solid oxide electrolyzer cell, contacting the porous cathode with fuel feed stream, reducing the carbon dioxide to create carbon monoxide and oxygen ions
Implementation Method 6
feeding the syngas stream to a catalytic reactor, wherein the catalytic reactor operates in the presence of a catalyst, and converting the syngas stream to a hydrocarbon fuel stream in the catalytic reactor
Data Source
AI summary
A process for converting carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon fuels using solar energy harnessed with a solar thermal power system to create thermal energy and electricity, using the thermal energy to heat a fuel feed stream, the heated fuel feed stream comprising carbon dioxide and water, the carbon dioxide captured from a flue gas stream, converting the carbon dioxide and water in a syngas production cell, the syngas production cell comprising a solid oxide electrolyte, to create carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and converting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen to hydrocarbon fuels in a catalytic reactor. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. In at least one embodiment, the syngas production cell is a solid oxide electrolyzer cell.