Steam Jet Ejector for CO2 Capture Plant Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fossil fuel-fired power plants with carbon dioxide capture and compression systems face efficiency losses due to the use of high-pressure steam, which reduces overall power plant efficiency and can lead to inadequate steam pressure during part-load operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a steam jet ejector that utilizes low-pressure steam from the water steam cycle to increase pressure for the CO2 capture plant, with optional secondary ejectors to ensure sufficient pressure is maintained across varying operational conditions, thereby bypassing the need for high-pressure steam extraction and minimizing efficiency impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-pressure steam is extracted from the power plant to drive CO2 compressors, then the CO2 compression function is achieved, but the overall power plant efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A steam jet ejector is introduced as an intermediary device between the low-pressure steam source and the CO2 capture plant. The ejector uses low-pressure steam as motive steam to entrain and compress additional steam, delivering pressurized steam to the CO2 capture plant without requiring high-pressure steam extraction, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving compression function and maintaining plant efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter of the steam by using a steam jet ejector to compress low-pressure steam into pressurized steam. This allows the CO2 capture plant to receive adequate steam pressure while the power plant operates with low-pressure steam extraction only, avoiding the efficiency penalty associated with high-pressure steam extraction.
2Loss of energy
If low-pressure steam is used for CO2 capture plant, then power plant efficiency is maintained, but steam pressure may be insufficient during part-load operations
Solution Approach 1:
The steam jet ejector serves as a mediator that takes low-pressure steam (which maintains plant efficiency) and transforms it into pressurized steam (which ensures reliability). The ejector's compression capability guarantees sufficient steam pressure delivery to the CO2 capture plant even when the source steam is at low pressure during part-load operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to varying load conditions by using the steam jet ejector to compensate for pressure variations. During part-load operations when low-pressure steam pressure drops, the ejector's compression ratio increases to maintain adequate delivery pressure, ensuring continuous reliable operation across the full load range.
3Quantity of substance
If additional fuel is combusted in the HRSG to provide steam, then steam availability is increased, but fuel consumption and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steam jet ejector enables the system to self-service by using available low-pressure steam to generate the pressurized steam needed for CO2 capture. This eliminates the need for additional fuel combustion in the HRSG, as the ejector mechanically compresses the steam rather than generating it through additional combustion, thereby reducing fuel consumption while maintaining steam availability.
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 configuration maintains high efficiency and reliability of the CO2 capture plant by ensuring sufficient steam pressure for operation at all times, including part-load conditions, without significantly affecting the overall power plant efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a steam jet ejector configured and arranged to receive via a steam line a steam flow from the water steam cycle as input steam and increase the pressure of the input steam and direct it via a further steam line to the CO2 capture plant. The steam jet ejector is configured and arranged to receive a steam flow as a motive steam flow enabling the pressure increase of the input steam.
Data Source
AI summary
A fossil fuel fired power plant for the generation of electrical energy comprises a water steam cycle and a plant (10) for the capture of CO2 from exhaust gases emitted by the power plant and a steam jet ejector (24) configured and arranged to receive an input steam flow from a low- or intermediate pressure extraction point in the power plant and to increase its pressure. It is further arranged to receive motive steam (25) from a further extraction point in the power plant. A steam line (27, 22) directs the steam of increased pressure from the steam jet ejector (24) to the CO2 capture plant (10). The power plant according to this invention allows the use of low-pressure steam for the operation of the CO2 capture plant, where the extraction of such steam affects the overall efficiency of the power plant to a lesser degree than in power plant of the state of the art.