Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
  • F25J3/04527—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general
  • F25J3/04533—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general for the direct combustion of fuels in a power plant, so-called "oxyfuel combustion"
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
  • F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
  • F01K23/00—Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids
  • F01K23/02—Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled
  • F01K23/06—Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled combustion heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
  • F01K23/067—Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled combustion heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle the combustion heat coming from a gasification or pyrolysis process, e.g. coal gasification
  • F01K23/068—Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled combustion heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle the combustion heat coming from a gasification or pyrolysis process, e.g. coal gasification in combination with an oxygen producing plant, e.g. an air separation plant
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02C—GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
  • F02C3/00—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid
  • F02C3/20—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid using a special fuel, oxidant, or dilution fluid to generate the combustion products
  • F02C3/26—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid using a special fuel, oxidant, or dilution fluid to generate the combustion products the fuel or oxidant being solid or pulverulent, e.g. in slurry or suspension
  • F02C3/28—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid using a special fuel, oxidant, or dilution fluid to generate the combustion products the fuel or oxidant being solid or pulverulent, e.g. in slurry or suspension using a separate gas producer for gasifying the fuel before combustion
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
  • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
  • F25J3/04018—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of main feed air
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
  • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
  • F25J3/04036—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of oxygen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
  • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
  • F25J3/04115—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
  • F25J3/04121—Steam turbine as the prime mechanical driver
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
  • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
  • F25J3/04145—Mechanically coupling of different compressors of the air fractionation process to the same driver(s)
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
  • F25J3/04527—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general
  • F25J3/04539—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general for the H2/CO synthesis by partial oxidation or oxygen consuming reforming processes of fuels
  • F25J3/04545—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general for the H2/CO synthesis by partial oxidation or oxygen consuming reforming processes of fuels for the gasification of solid or heavy liquid fuels, e.g. integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC]
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
  • F25J3/04563—Integration with a nitrogen consuming unit, e.g. for purging, inerting, cooling or heating
  • F25J3/04575—Integration with a nitrogen consuming unit, e.g. for purging, inerting, cooling or heating for a gas expansion plant, e.g. dilution of the combustion gas in a gas turbine
  • F25J3/04581—Hot gas expansion of indirect heated nitrogen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
  • F25J3/04612—Heat exchange integration with process streams, e.g. from the air gas consuming unit
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E20/00—Combustion technologies with mitigation potential
  • Y02E20/16—Combined cycle power plant [CCPP], or combined cycle gas turbine [CCGT]
  • Y02E20/18—Integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC], e.g. combined with carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E20/00—Combustion technologies with mitigation potential
  • Y02E20/34—Indirect CO2mitigation, i.e. by acting on non CO2directly related matters of the process, e.g. pre-heating or heat recovery

Definitions

• the present invention relates to power generation and more specifically relates to a solid-fueled power system which provides for complete carbon dioxide recovery and methods therefor.
• C0 2 capture Another longer-term strategy which is receiving serious support from the international community, in general, and the U.S. Department of Energy, in particular, consists of sequestering and capturing the C0 2 emitted from fossil fueled systems (hereinafter referred to as "C0 2 capture").
• C0 2 capture is typically accomplished by treating the exhaust stream to separate out the C0 2 component in a form suitable for removal and storage. In conventional systems, this is difficult to achieve because of the low concentration of C0 2 compared to the other components (namely, nitrogen) in the exhaust. The result is a process that is both costly and energy intensive.
• U.S. Patent 5,724,805 to Golomb et al. discloses a power plant including W wOv j 0v1 i /t7 i 5z2 i .7 i 7 l PCT/US00/08392
• the power plant includes a carbon dioxide removal unit arranged to recover carbon dioxide gas from the exhaust gas, recycle a portion of the recovered carbon dioxide gas for passage through the gas turbine, and liquefy the remainder of the recovered carbon dioxide gas for removal from the plant.
• a portion of the C0 2 gas leaving the turbine is recovered from the C0 2 /H 2 0 exhaust stream, recycled to the inlet of the compressor and recompressed. The compression of the C0 2 gas prior to recycling requires a significant amount of energy, thereby minimizing the overall efficiency of the system.
• a method of generating power with sequestration of carbon-dioxide emission may include the steps of compressing ambient air and then separating substantially pure oxygen from the compressed ambient air using an air separator.
• the substantially pure oxygen separated from the ambient air may then be further compressed.
• the air separator used to separate the oxygen from the ambient air may also be used to separate nitrogen from the compressed ambient air.
• the separated nitrogen may be vented to atmosphere or may be processed for recovering energy therefrom, such as by passing the compressed nitrogen through a turbine.
• the oxygen may be divided into a first oxygen stream and a second oxygen stream.
• the second oxygen stream has a larger flow volume than the first oxygen stream.
• the first oxygen stream and a solid fuel are then introduced into a solid-fuel gasifier for converting the first oxygen stream and the solid fuel into a combustible gas.
• the solid fuel is preferably selected from the group consisting of coal and biomass.
• the combustible gas may then be filtered to remove particulate matter and/or contaminants therefrom.
• the combustible gas may then be combusted in the presence of the second oxygen stream.
• the combusting step may include the step of introducing water into the combustor for generating an exhaust stream of carbon dioxide and steam.
• the introduction of water during combustion increases, inter alia, the total volume flow of the carbon dioxide and steam.
• the introduction of water may also reduce the maximum temperature within the combustor. This is beneficial because the combustion of solid fuel in substantially pure oxygen yields a much higher temperature than combustion in ambient air. While the higher temperatures improve the thermodynamic efficiency of the system, present materials used in combustors and turbines may be unable to survive at these high temperatures.
• the carbon dioxide and steam may then be passed through a turbine for driving the turbine and generating power.
• the turbine preferably drives a rotatable shaft which, in turn, is connected to the compressors and to a generator for producing electrical power. In other words, rotation of the turbine drives the compressors and the generator for producing electrical power.
• the introduction of water into the combustor during the combusting step also preferably increases the total mass flow and volume flow of the exhaust stream passing through the turbine, thereby elevating the amount of power generated by the turbine.
• the turbine exhaust stream After the exhaust stream passes through the turbine for generating power, the turbine exhaust stream is cooled, preferably in a condenser, for producing carbon dioxide gas and liquid water.
• the carbon dioxide gas may then be separated from the liquid water so that the carbon dioxide gas does not escape back into the atmosphere as a green house gas.
• the carbon dioxide gas separated from the cooled turbine exhaust stream may be collected and stored in storage vessels or disposed of by any one of several different processes presently under consideration for long-term sequestration, such as deep ocean storage.
• the heat present in the turbine exhaust stream may be recovered for reuse as waste heat or to generate steam for additional energy recovery.
• the water separated from the turbine exhaust stream may be recycled and directed to the combustor for serving as the water introduced into the combustor during the combusting step.
• the water is preferably re-pressurized in a pump prior to being introduced into the combustor.
• the method of generating power may also include adding an additional amount of make-up water to the recycled water being directed to the combustor.
• the make-up water is generally added to the recycled water before the water is re-pressurized in the pump.
• the method may include spraying a stream of the water into the combustible gas before the filtering step for reducing the temperature of the combustible gas.
• a power generating system with sequestration of carbon-dioxide emission including a first compressor for compressing ambient air; an air separation unit downstream from the first compressor for separating substantially pure oxygen from the compressed ambient air; and a second compressor downstream from the air separation unit for further compressing the substantially pure oxygen.
• the power generating system preferably includes conduit, such as tubes or ducts, for dividing the substantially pure oxygen into a first oxygen stream and a second oxygen stream.
• the system includes a gasifier designed for receiving the first oxygen stream and a solid fuel (e.g., coal) therein for converting the first oxygen stream and the solid fuel into a combustible gas.
• the power generating system may also include a combustor adapted for combusting the combustible gas in the presence of the second oxygen stream and water for generating an exhaust stream including primarily carbon dioxide and steam.
• the power generating system may also include a turbine downstream from the combustor through which the exhaust stream passes for driving the turbine and generating power.
• a condenser located downstream from the turbine preferably cools the turbine exhaust stream so as to produce carbon dioxide gas and liquid water.
• the condenser may include coils and tubing for separating the carbon dioxide gas from the water, wherein introducing water into the combustor during combustion of the combustible gas increases the mass flow and volume flow of the exhaust stream passing through the turbine for elevating the amount of power generated by the turbine.
• the power generating system may also include a pump for pressurizing the water present in the cooled turbine exhaust stream after the carbon dioxide gas has been separated from the exhaust stream and tubing for directing the pressurized water back to the combustor so as to introduce the pressurized water into the combustor.
• the system may also be connected to a source of additional make-up water so as to supply additional water to the recycled water present in the cooled turbine exhaust stream.
• the make-up water is preferably added to the recycled water before the water is re-pressurized by the pump.
• the system may include a filter between the solid-fuel gasifier and the combustor for filtering the combustible gas so as to remove particulate and/or contaminants therefrom.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a solid-fueled power generation system with carbon dioxide sequestration, the system including a single-shaft arrangement, in accordance with one preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.
• Figure 2 shows a schematic drawing of a solid-fueled power generation system with carbon dioxide sequestration, the system including a two-shaft arrangement, in accordance with other preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a solid-fueled power generation system with carbon dioxide sequestration, the system including a recuperator pr regenerator for recovering energy, in accordance with further preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 1 shows a power generation system with carbon dioxide sequestration in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• the power generation system shown in Fig. 1 preferably includes a cogeneration system 10 having a solid-fueled Brayton cycle with waste heat recovery.
• the power system 10 includes a first compressor 12 for compressing ambient air.
• the compressed ambient air is then directed downstream via line 14 to an air separation unit 16 wherein the compressed air is separated into two streams including nitrogen directed downstream in line 16 and oxygen directed downstream in line 20 to a second compressor 22.
• the air separation unit 16 may separate the compressed ambient air by various processes, in preferred embodiments the compressed ambient air is preferably separated using membrane separation, cryogenic air liquefaction or pressure swing adsorption (PSA) techniques.
• PSA pressure swing adsorption
• the power generation system 10 also includes the second compressor 22 located downstream from the first compressor 12 for further compressing the substantially pure oxygen which has been separated from the compressed ambient air.
• the compressed oxygen discharged from the second compressor 22 is then separated into a first oxygen stream via line 24 and a second oxygen stream via line 26, preferably using conduits, such as tubes or ducts, for dividing the substantially pure oxygen.
• the power generation system 10 also preferably includes a gasifier 28 designed for receiving the first oxygen stream via line 24 and a solid fuel, such as coal or biomass, via line 30 for converting the first oxygen stream and the solid fuel into a combustible gas.
• the gasifier 28 is an oxygen-blown gasifier capable of generating a medium-Btu gas from the supply of the solid fuel.
• the power generation system 10 includes a spraying element 32 for spraying a small stream of water into the gas discharged from the gasifier 28.
• the water vaporizes and provides partial cooling of the gas before it flows through a filter 34 for removal of particulates, thereby eliminating the necessity of using filter materials capable of withstanding high temperatures.
• the gas is directed downstream via line 34 to a combustor 36.
• the combustor 36 is adapted for combusting the combustible gas in the presence of both the second oxygen stream supplied via line 26 and water introduced into the combustor via line 38, thereby generating an exhaust stream discharged via line 40 comprising essentially carbon dioxide and steam.
• the power generating system 10 also includes a turbine 42 located downstream from the combustor 36 adapted for passing the exhaust stream from the combustor therethrough for driving the turbine 42.
• the turbine 42 is connected to and drives the compressor and a generator 44 for generating electrical power.
• the carbon dioxide and steam is directed via line 46 to a condenser 48.
• the condenser 48 preferably cools the turbine exhaust stream so as to produce carbon dioxide gas and liquid water.
• the carbon dioxide separated from the turbine exhaust is directed downstream via line 50 for utilization or storage.
• the condenser 48 may also include a heat recovery element 52 for recovering waste heat from the turbine exhaust stream. As shown in Fig. 1 , the heat recovery element 52 includes passing cooling water in close communication with the turbine exhaust for transferring heat from the exhaust to the water, thereby generating hot water or steam which is discharged from the condenser 48 via line 52.
• the waste heat may be used for many purposes including generating heat for direct use or generating pressurized steam for energy recovery in a steam bottoming cycle.
• the condensed water removed from the turbine exhaust stream is preferably recycled via line 54 so that it may be used as the source of water injected into the combustor via line 38 and/or sprayed into the gas stream by spraying element 32.
• the power generating system 10 may also include a pump 56 for re- pressurizing the condensed water separated from the turbine exhaust stream. After the water has passed through the pump 56, the re-pressurized water is directed back to the combustor 36 via line 58.
• the power generating system 10 may also be connected to an additional source of water 60 (e.g., "make-up water” ) so as to provide additional water to be added to the condensed water removed from the turbine exhaust stream to make up for any water lost from the system.
• the "make-up water” is preferably added to the condensed water before the latter is re-pressurized by the pump.
• Fig. 2 shows a power generation system with carbon dioxide sequestration in accordance with other preferred embodiments of the present invention wherein the system 100 comprises a two shaft configuration.
• a compressor turbine 170 is connected to a first shaft 172 for driving air compressor 112 and oxygen compressor 122.
• the exhaust stream from combustor 136 passes through compressor turbine 170 which drives the first shaft 172.
• rotation of the first shaft 172 drives air compressor 112 and oxygen compressor 122.
• the exhaust stream After exiting the compressor turbine 170, the exhaust stream is directed downstream for passing through a power turbine 174 connected to a second shaft 176.
• the second shaft 176 is rotated for driving electrical generator 144.
• Fig. 3 shows a power generation system with carbon dioxide sequestration in accordance with still further preferred embodiments of the present invention wherein the system 200 includes a recuperator or regenerator 280, such as the recuperator disclosed in commonly assigned, copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/792,261 filed January 1 , 1997 and entitled "Unit Construction Plate- Fin Heat Exchanger.”
• the exhaust stream exiting power turbine 274 is directed through the recuperator 280 so that the exhaust stream may pass closely by the compressed oxygen stream leaving the oxygen compressor 222. As the exhaust stream passes closely by the compressed oxygen stream, energy, in the form of heat, is transferred from the exhaust stream to the compressed oxygen stream.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Emergency Medicine (AREA)
• Treating Waste Gases (AREA)

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• 2000
  • 2000-03-31 AU AU2000240471A patent/AU2000240471A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-03-31 WO PCT/US2000/008392 patent/WO2001075277A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2000-03-31 EP EP00919850A patent/EP1268985A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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