Waste Combustion Using CO2-Rich Recirculated Oxygen Carrier Gas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste incineration plants face challenges in efficiently separating CO₂ from exhaust gases due to low CO₂ concentrations, which necessitate complex and costly flue gas cleaning systems, and oxygen enrichment processes are limited by high thermal loads and complex control systems.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of an oxygen-carrier gas mixture, comprising recirculated gas with a CO₂ concentration of 10 to 99%, is added to the combustion process, increasing the CO₂ concentration in exhaust gases and facilitating easier separation, while maintaining controllable combustion temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If oxygen enrichment of primary combustion air is used to reduce flue gas volume, then CO2 concentration in exhaust gas increases, but thermal load on system increases and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 concentration in exhaust gasVSAvoidthermal load on system
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the oxygen supply into two separate stages: primary combustion air (with lower oxygen enrichment, 25-40 vol.%) and secondary combustion air (with higher oxygen enrichment, 40-100 vol.%). This segmentation allows the primary combustion to occur at controlled temperatures while the secondary combustion receives highly enriched oxygen, achieving high CO2 concentration without excessive thermal load on the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the combustion process receive different oxygen concentrations tailored to their specific needs. The primary combustion zone receives moderate oxygen enrichment (25-40 vol.%) to maintain stable combustion, while the secondary combustion zone receives high oxygen enrichment (40-100 vol.%) to maximize CO2 production. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between thermal load and CO2 concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If oxygen enrichment of primary combustion air is used to reduce flue gas volume, then CO2 concentration in exhaust gas increases, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 concentration in exhaust gasVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two independent control loops: one for primary combustion air oxygen enrichment (25-40 vol.%) and another for secondary combustion air oxygen enrichment (40-100 vol.%). This segmentation simplifies control by allowing each zone to be optimized independently, reducing the overall control complexity while achieving high CO2 concentration in the exhaust gas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Power

If high oxygen concentration is supplied to combustion process, then combustion temperature increases, but thermal stress on components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidthermal stress on components
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the oxygen supply strategy: primary combustion air receives moderate enrichment (25-40 vol.%) to maintain components within permissible thermal limits, while secondary combustion air receives high enrichment (40-100 vol.%) to achieve high combustion efficiency and CO2 concentration. This segmentation allows high power output without excessive thermal stress on components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the oxygen concentration parameter across different combustion stages: primary combustion operates at 25-40 vol.% oxygen to protect components from thermal stress, while secondary combustion operates at 40-100 vol.% oxygen to maximize combustion efficiency. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between power output and thermal stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Easier CO₂ separation and reduced flue gas volume are achieved, with improved controllability and reduced thermal stress on system components, enabling more efficient CO₂ capture and simplified control systems.

Implementation Method 1

oxygen is added to the combustion process as an oxygen-carrier gas mixture, wherein the carrier gas is recirculated gas from the combustion plant with a CO2 concentration of 10 to 99%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas recirculation:

Implementation Method 2

oxygen is added to the combustion process as an oxygen-carrier gas mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4198392B1Method for burning waste
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 MARTIN GMBH FUR UMWELT UND ENERGIETECHNIK
  • EP4198392B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for burning waste on a combustion grate of a combustion plant and a device for carrying out such a method, in which oxygen is added to the combustion with a carrier gas as an oxygen-carrier gas mixture, which is recirculated gas from the combustion plant with a CO2 concentration of 10 to 99%.