Supercritical CO2 Power System Rotary Engine Cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power systems based on combustible engines are inefficient and environmentally harmful, lacking economic viability for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop power system that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy using supercritical carbon dioxide, comprising a compressor, heat exchanger, and rotary engine, with a pressure differential orifice to manage CO2 flow and temperature, enabling efficient energy conversion and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If combustible engines are used to generate power, then mechanical energy can be produced, but environmental emissions increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the working fluid from conventional combustion-based gases to supercritical carbon dioxide, operating at specific pressure and temperature parameters (supercritical state). This parameter change eliminates combustion emissions while maintaining efficient energy conversion through the closed-loop cycle, directly resolving the contradiction between environmental harm and power generation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an enclosed closed-loop environment with supercritical CO2 as the working fluid, creating an inert atmospheric condition that prevents harmful emissions from escaping into the environment. The CO2 is contained and recycled continuously, eliminating the environmental harm associated with open combustion engines while maintaining productive power generation
2Productivity
If conventional power systems are used, then power generation can occur, but economic efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop system where the working fluid (supercritical CO2) is continuously recovered and reused after performing work in the engine. The exhaust from the engine is not discarded but instead is recaptured, cooled, compressed, and fed back into the system. This recovery approach eliminates the need for continuous input of fresh working fluid and reduces waste disposal costs, thereby improving economic efficiency while maintaining continuous power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation through the closed-loop cycle, where the working fluid continuously circulates through compression, heating, expansion, and cooling stages without interruption. This continuous circulation eliminates downtime and maximizes productive output, improving the economic efficiency of power generation by ensuring constant useful action rather than intermittent operation
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
The system achieves efficient conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy with reduced environmental impact and improved economic efficiency by utilizing a closed-loop CO2 cycle, optimizing temperature and pressure conditions for continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
A compressor is mechanically coupled to a heat exchanger and configured to compress carbon dioxide to a high pressure
Implementation Method 2
A heat exchanger is mechanically coupled to the compressor and configured to heat the high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide to a high enthalpy
Implementation Method 3
A rotary engine is mechanically coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to convert thermal energy from the high enthalpy supercritical carbon dioxide into mechanical energy
Implementation Method 4
A pressure differential orifice is operatively coupled to the rotary engine and to the heat exchanger and configured to decrease the temperature and the pressure of the output supercritical carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 5
The low pressure low temperature subcritical carbon dioxide stream is crossed in heat exchanger with high pressure temperature supercritical carbon dioxide stream from discharge port of CO2 compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A power system is configured to generate mechanical energy from supercritical carbon dioxide in a closed loop. The power system includes a compressor that yields a high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide. A heat exchanger is operatively connected to the compressor and yields a high enthalpy supercritical carbon dioxide. A rotary engine is operatively connected to the heat exchanger and configured to convert thermal energy from the high enthalpy supercritical carbon dioxide into mechanical energy and an output supercritical carbon dioxide. A pressure differential orifice is operatively coupled to the rotary engine and to the heat exchanger and configured to decrease the temperature and the pressure of the output supercritical carbon dioxide resulting in a low pressure low temperature supercritical carbon dioxide. The low pressure low temperature supercritical carbon dioxide is heated in the heat exchanger and the renters the compressor completing the closed loop.