Systems and methods for power production including ion transport components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power production systems requiring high purity oxygen for oxyfuel combustion are costly due to the need for cryogenic air separation plants and high-pressure equipment, which also consume significant power and increase capital expenditures.
Innovation Solution
The use of oxygen ion transport membranes to diffuse oxygen from low-oxygen air streams, eliminating the need for cryogenic air separation units and high-pressure oxyfuel combustors, and allowing for direct introduction of fuel at turbine discharge pressure, thereby reducing equipment and operating costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cryogenic air separation plants are used to provide high purity oxygen, then oxygen purity is improved, but capital cost and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of oxygen production by using perovskite membrane technology that operates at elevated temperatures (700-900°C) to enable oxygen ion transport through the membrane. This alternative parameter regime eliminates the need for cryogenic temperatures and high-pressure equipment, thereby reducing capital costs while maintaining high oxygen purity (95-99.9%) on the fuel side of the membrane
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cryogenic air separation system with a chemical/electrochemical oxygen transport mechanism through perovskite membranes. Instead of using mechanical compression and phase change equipment, the system uses oxygen ion conduction through the perovskite lattice driven by temperature and oxygen partial pressure gradients, eliminating the need for expensive cryogenic equipment
2Measurement precision
If cryogenic air separation plants are used to provide high purity oxygen, then oxygen purity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the energy input parameters from electrical power driving compressors and refrigeration equipment to thermal energy heating the perovskite membrane to operating temperature. The thermal process of oxygen ion transport through the membrane consumes less energy than the mechanical compression and cryogenic cooling required by conventional air separation, reducing overall power consumption
3Productivity
If high-pressure oxyfuel combustors are used, then combustion efficiency is improved, but equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing high oxygen concentration (95-99.9% purity) locally at the combustion zone through the perovskite membrane, rather than requiring high pressure throughout the entire system. The membrane delivers concentrated oxygen directly to the fuel side, enabling efficient combustion at lower system pressures and eliminating the need for expensive high-pressure combustor equipment
4Power
If high turbine inlet temperatures are used, then power output is improved, but turbine efficiency decreases due to need for internal cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the turbine to operate at high inlet temperatures (700-900°C) without internal cooling by using the temperature-driven oxygen ion transport through the perovskite membrane as the oxygen delivery mechanism. The membrane's oxygen transport function is activated by the same temperature that drives the turbine, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and improving overall turbine efficiency while maintaining high power output
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 achieves high efficiency in power production with complete carbon capture while lowering capital and operating costs, and allows for operation at lower turbine inlet temperatures, increasing turbine efficiency and reducing the need for internal CO2 cooling, resulting in thermal efficiencies of 52% to 54% and 60% to 70% CO2 capture.
Implementation Method 1
oxygen diffusion through an oxygen ion transport membrane
Implementation Method 2
oxygen for use in fuel combustion is at least partially provided by oxygen diffusion through an oxygen ion transport membrane
Implementation Method 3
expanding a working stream comprising recycled CO2 in a power production turbine to produce a turbine exhaust stream and to produce power
Implementation Method 4
the compressed CO2 stream is heated in a heat exchanger against the turbine exhaust stream
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for power production utilizing an ion transfer membrane (ITM) unit. An air stream and a fuel stream can be passed through the ITM unit so that the fuel is at least partially oxidized or combusted to form an outlet stream comprising CO2. The CO2 stream can be compressed and expanded to generate power.