Turbomachine-Preheated Cracking System for Lower Carbon Dioxide Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fired heaters emit significant carbon dioxide due to the combustion of fossil fuels for heating, and existing electric heaters face limitations such as limited capacity and potential damage from overheating.
Innovation Solution
A cracking system incorporating a turbomachine to preheat air before combustion, reducing the need for fuel by using renewable energy, and a power generation system to generate electricity for preheating, thereby minimizing carbon dioxide emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fuel combustion is used to heat air in fired heaters, then high temperature heating is achieved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a turbomachine to preheat the air supply before it enters the combustion chamber. This preheating reduces the amount of fuel needed for combustion, thereby decreasing carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining the required high temperature for hydrocarbon cracking processes.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If electric heaters are used to avoid carbon dioxide emissions, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but heating capacity is limited and electrical elements may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a turbomachine as an intermediary device that converts mechanical energy to thermal energy through adiabatic compression. This intermediary approach avoids direct electrical heating element damage while providing high heating capacity, effectively resolving the contradiction between emission reduction and heating capability.
3Device complexity
If ambient air is used directly in combustion chamber, then system complexity is reduced, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by introducing a turbomachine in the air supply line to preheat ambient air before combustion. This adds moderate system complexity while significantly reducing fuel consumption, as the preheated air requires less energy to reach the required combustion temperature.
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 effectively reduces carbon dioxide emissions by preheating air to high temperatures using renewable energy, minimizing fuel consumption and enhancing the efficiency of hydrocarbon cracking processes.
Implementation Method 1
directing an air supply through a turbomachine to preheat the air supply
Implementation Method 2
combusting the preheated air supply in the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
using the combusting in the combustion chamber to heat the hydrocarbon feed in the one or more cracking tubes, cracking one or more hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon feed
Data Source
AI summary
A cracking system may include a fired heater having convection section and a radiant section having a combustion chamber. The cracking system may include at least one burner interfacing with the combustion chamber. The cracking system may include an air supply line fluidly connecting an air supply to the combustion chamber. The cracking system may include a turbomachine fluidly connected to the air supply line and the at least one burner. The cracking system may include a fuel supply line connecting a fuel supply to the at least one burner.