System for supplying co2 gas to a facility that requires co2 or a mixture comprising co2, such as an abattoir or a greenhouse for cultivating plants
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for CO2 in developed countries, particularly in industries like food processing and greenhouse cultivation, is hindered by frequent factory stoppages, geopolitical tensions, and environmental constraints, leading to supply shortages and high costs.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing oxy-fuel combustion in existing boilers to produce CO2 on-site by converting heat production to oxy-fuel, leveraging liquid oxygen to purify and liquefy CO2 from flue gases without additional electrical energy, and integrating a heat exchanger to recover and store CO2 for synchronized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If commercial CO2 supply is used, then CO2 availability is improved, but supply reliability deteriorates due to frequent factory stoppages and geopolitical tensions
Solution Approach 1:
The facility serves itself by producing CO2 on-site through oxy-fuel combustion in existing boilers, eliminating dependence on external commercial suppliers and their associated reliability issues with factory stoppages and geopolitical tensions
Solution Approach 2:
CO2 is extracted from the flue gases produced by the boiler through a separation unit, converting a waste product into a useful resource that can be used immediately or stored for later use
2Quantity of substance
If oxy-fuel combustion is implemented, then CO2 production is improved, but device complexity increases due to oxygen separation equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The existing boiler is converted to perform dual functions: heat production for the facility and CO2 generation for separation. The oxygen separation unit serves both to enable oxy-fuel combustion and to concentrate CO2 in the flue gases for easier separation
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 separation unit is integrated with the existing boiler system, combining heat production and CO2 generation into a single multi-functional installation, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to separate systems
3Quantity of substance
If heat exchange with liquid oxygen is used, then CO2 purification is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold temperature of liquid oxygen, which would normally be a waste heat sink, is converted into a useful cooling medium for purifying and condensing CO2 from the flue gases, eliminating the need for additional electrical energy for compression or expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid oxygen serves a dual purpose: as an oxidant for combustion and as a cooling medium for CO2 purification, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external electrical energy input
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
Provides a cost-effective and efficient on-site CO2 supply, reducing reliance on commercial sources and lowering emissions, with potential savings up to 20% on fuel consumption and costs, while meeting CO2 requirements for applications like abattoirs and greenhouses.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange between said flue gases and the liquid oxygen in a exchanger is arranged
Implementation Method 2
The main stage of the capturing of CO2 then consists in condensing the water
Implementation Method 3
oxy-fuel combustion is a combustion process in which the oxidant gas is no longer air but 'pure' oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supplying CO2 gas to a site comprising a facility (20) that requires CO2 or a mixture comprising CO2, such as an abattoir or a greenhouse for cultivating plants, comprises the following steps: a boiler (4) capable of supplying hot water to the site is arranged within the site, the boiler carrying out the process of oxycombustion between a fuel (14) and pure oxygen (1), the oxygen that supplies the boiler being obtained from a liquid oxygen source present on the site; and some or all of the CO2 contained in the flue gas produced by the boiler is recovered by transferring heat between the flue gas and the liquid oxygen in an exchanger (2).