EP3789474A1 - Emission-free devices and method for carrying out mechanical work and for generating electrical and thermal energy - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for performing mechanical work with an internal combustion engine, for example a piston engine or a turbine, the energy required for operation from the oxidation of carbon-containing operating materials (20) to an exhaust gas (21) essentially consisting of carbon dioxide (24) and water ( 23) by burning fuel with oxygen-enriched air or pure oxygen (22) in at least one combustion chamber (11) of the internal combustion engine, and converting the gas pressure or volume of gas that arises into mechanical work. Oxygen is fed into the at least one combustion chamber (16); Water (25) introduced (17) directly into the at least one combustion chamber; and the exhaust gas (21) resulting from the oxidation reaction is compressed and / or condensed after the exit (12) from the at least one combustion chamber and collected in a storage unit (15).

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to devices and methods for performing mechanical work and for generating electrical and thermal energy, and systems for supplying fuel to mobile and stationary devices.

State of the art

In the course of constantly increasing mobility and the associated environmental pollution, there has been a need for drive devices, in particular internal combustion engines, with reduced emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds for a long time. For this purpose, efforts have been made on the one hand to clean the exhaust gases of pollutants, for example with filters and catalytic converters, and on the other hand to reduce the formation of these pollutants.

When using hydrocarbon-based fuels such as gasoline, diesel or natural gas, carbon dioxide is an inevitable end product of the combustion process. It has long been known that carbon dioxide has a very negative impact on the earth's climate equilibrium and that it contributes significantly to man-made global warming. Avoiding carbon dioxide emissions is therefore very desirable.

As a rule, it is difficult to filter out carbon dioxide from combustion exhaust gases with reasonable energy expenditure. For the large industrial scale Systems tested in which the carbon dioxide is captured, for example in amine-based solvents. However, such systems are expensive and complicated, and not practical for smaller systems. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, combustion engines with lower fuel consumption and thus also lower carbon dioxide emissions are being developed, or carbon dioxide-neutral biomass-based fuels are used.

Electrically powered vehicles are absolutely emission-free, at least locally. However, the battery systems available today are still very heavy, or the energy density is too low, which limits the maximum range that can be achieved. In addition, battery-powered vehicles are still inferior to vehicles with chemical fuels in terms of recharge time and refueling time.

Alternatively, fuel cell systems have been developed to generate electrical energy for the operation of electrically powered vehicles. In these fuel cell systems, electricity is generated electrochemically from hydrocarbon-based fuels and atmospheric oxygen. Here too, however, the reaction product is carbon dioxide.

By using hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines or fuel cells, the emission of carbon dioxide can be avoided. However, hydrogen has a lower energy density than carbon-based liquid fuels and also poses special problems in production and storage.

For internal combustion engines, the state of the art has a large number of technologies that have been established for years. Instead of having to develop completely new technologies, it would be desirable to be able to modify these existing technologies in such a way that carbon dioxide emissions are reduced or avoided.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide devices and methods for performing mechanical work and / or for generating electrical and / or thermal energy which do not have the above-mentioned and other disadvantages. In particular, such a device or such a method should have greatly reduced emissions or no emissions at all.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method which allow accumulating carbon dioxide and other emissions to be efficiently captured and to be stored for further use, final storage or recycling.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method which can be operated with a closed circuit.

These and other objects are achieved by a device according to the invention, devices, machines and systems that are operated with such devices, in particular mobile and stationary machines and systems, a method according to the invention for performing mechanical work and / or for generating electrical and / or thermal work Energy, a refueling system according to the invention, a system for supplying fuel to mobile and static machines and systems, and a method according to the invention for supplying one or more consumers with fuel, according to the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

Presentation of the invention

In a device according to the invention for performing mechanical work and / or for generating electrical or thermal energy, the energy required for operation is obtained from the oxidation of carbon-containing operating materials to an exhaust gas consisting essentially of carbon dioxide and water. A device for compressing and / or condensing the exhaust gas is provided. A memory is used to hold the compressed and / or condensed exhaust gas.

Such a device according to the invention can be operated with oxygen-enriched air, preferably with an oxygen content of> 95%, and / or with pure oxygen as the oxidizing agent.

Before and / or after the device for compressing and / or condensing the exhaust gas, a heat exchanger for cooling the exhaust gas flow can be provided.

Another embodiment of a device according to the invention has a device for condensing and / or separating water from the exhaust gas.

A device according to the invention can be designed as a fuel cell, as a heat engine, for example as a piston engine or turbine, or as a heating device.

An embodiment of a device according to the invention designed as a heat engine is advantageously an internal combustion engine, with at least one combustion chamber for the combustion of operating material with oxygen-enriched air or pure oxygen, with means for converting the resulting gas pressure or gas volume into mechanical work, with a supply device for introducing oxygen into the combustion chamber, and with an outlet device for removing the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. Downstream of the outlet device are a compressor for compressing the Exhaust gases and / or a condensation device for partial condensation of the exhaust gases is provided.

A further variant of such a device according to the invention has a feed device for introducing water into the combustion chamber and / or into the exhaust gas flow after it emerges from the combustion chamber.

An embodiment of a device according to the invention designed as a heating device has at least one combustion chamber for the combustion of fuel with oxygen-enriched air or pure oxygen, means for transferring the resulting thermal energy to a fluid heat transport medium, a supply device for introducing oxygen into the combustion chamber, and an outlet device for removal the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. Downstream of the outlet device, a compressor for compressing the exhaust gases and / or a condensation device for partial condensation of the exhaust gases are provided.

A machine according to the invention, in particular a mobile or stationary machine, and device or system according to the invention for heating buildings, in particular a heating center, comprises such a device according to the invention.

A refueling system according to the invention for refueling a mobile machine or system with a device according to the invention with gaseous or liquid fuels has means for withdrawing compressed gases, in particular carbon dioxide, from a reservoir of the mobile machine.

Such a refueling system advantageously also has means for refueling the mobile machine or system with oxygen or oxygen-enriched air.

A supply system according to the invention for supplying one or more consumers with gaseous and / or liquid operating materials has a first supply network for transporting the operating materials to the consumers, from one or more production plants and / or from one or more first storage facilities. A second return network is used to transport exhaust gases, in particular carbon dioxide, back from the consumers to one or more production facilities and / or one or more second storage facilities.

In a method according to the invention for performing mechanical work and / or for generating electrical or thermal energy, the energy required for operation is obtained from the oxidation of carbon-containing operating materials to an exhaust gas consisting essentially of carbon dioxide and water. The exhaust gases produced during the oxidation reaction are compressed and / or condensed and collected in a storage tank.

Oxygen-enriched air, preferably with an oxygen content of> 95%, or pure oxygen is advantageously used as the oxidizing agent. Such a method is advantageously carried out with a device according to the invention.

In a variant embodiment of a method according to the invention, the compressed exhaust gases are cooled before and / or after the compression and / or condensation.

In another variant of a method according to the invention, water is condensed out and / or separated out from the exhaust gases.

A method according to the invention is advantageously carried out with a fuel cell or a heat engine or a heating device.

In a further advantageous embodiment variant of a method according to the invention, the operating materials are processed using a method for the thermal-chemical utilization of produced carbon-containing starting materials, in which the carbon-containing starting materials are pyrolyzed in a first stage, with pyrolysis coke and pyrolysis gas being produced. In a second stage, the pyrolysis coke from the first stage is gasified, whereby synthesis gas is produced, and slag and other residues remain and are removed. In a third stage, the synthesis gas from the second stage is converted into operating materials; with excess reflux gas from the third stage being passed into the first stage and / or the second stage. The three stages form a closed circuit.

In the international application no. PCT / EP2010 / 067847 of the applicant dated November 19, 2010 with the title "Method and system for thermal-chemical processing and utilization of carbon-containing substances" a method and a system for thermal-chemical processing and utilization of carbon-containing substances are disclosed. The disclosure of this application forms an integral part of the description of the invention claimed in the present application.

In yet another advantageous variant of a method according to the invention, at least some of the exhaust gases are used in a method for the thermal-chemical utilization of carbon-containing starting materials in which the carbon-containing starting materials are pyrolyzed in a first stage, with pyrolysis coke and pyrolysis gas being produced. In a second stage, the pyrolysis coke from the first stage is gasified, whereby synthesis gas is produced, and slag and other residues remain and are removed. In a third stage, the synthesis gas from the second stage is converted into operating materials; with excess reflux gas from the third stage being passed into the first stage and / or the second stage. The three stages form a closed circuit. The exhaust gases are fed into the first stage and / or the second stage and / or the third stage.

The exhaust gases are preferably fed into the return gas.

In a method according to the invention for supplying one or more consumers who carry out a method according to the invention for performing mechanical work and / or for generating electrical or thermal energy with gaseous and / or liquid operating materials for this method, the consumers are connected to a first supply network Gaseous and / or liquid operating materials are supplied from one or more production plants and / or from one or more first stores. With a second return network, at least some of the exhaust gases produced during the drive process, in particular carbon dioxide, are returned from the consumers to one or more production plants and / or to one or more second storage facilities.

In a method according to the invention for producing electrical power, the drive energy for the power generator is generated using a method according to the invention discussed above.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1

zeigt schematisch eine erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung in Kombination mit einer Anlage zur thermisch-chemischen Verwertung von kohlenstoffhaltigen Substanzen, wobei sich ein im Wesentlichen geschlossener Stoffkreislauf ergibt.

Figur 2

zeigt schematisch eine Variante einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung.

Figur 3

zeigt schematisch eine Ausführungsform einer als Verbrennungskraftmaschine ausgestalteten erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung.

Figur 4

zeigt schematisch eine andere Ausführungsform einer als Verbrennungskraftmaschine ausgestalteten erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung.

Figur 4A

zeigt schematisch eine als kombinierte Gas-/Dampfturbine ausgestaltete erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung.

Figur 5

zeigt schematisch eine erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung in einem Fahrzeug, sowie eine mögliche Ausgestaltung eines geschlossenen Kreislaufs für die Treibstoffversorgung eines solchen Fahrzeugs mit einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung, in Verbindung mit einem Rückführungssystem für Kohlendioxid.

Figur 6

zeigt schematisch eine mögliche Ausgestaltung eines Versorgungsnetzes für gasförmige Treibstoffe in Verbindung mit einem Rückführungssystem für Kohlendioxid, zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Versorgungsverfahrens.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made below to the drawings. These only show exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention.

Figure 1

shows schematically a device according to the invention in combination with a system for the thermal-chemical utilization of carbon-containing substances, resulting in an essentially closed material cycle.

Figure 2

shows schematically a variant of a device according to the invention.

Figure 3

shows schematically an embodiment of a device according to the invention configured as an internal combustion engine.

Figure 4

shows schematically another embodiment of a device according to the invention configured as an internal combustion engine.

Figure 4A

shows schematically a device according to the invention configured as a combined gas / steam turbine.

Figure 5

shows schematically a device according to the invention in a vehicle, as well as a possible configuration of a closed circuit for the fuel supply of such a vehicle with a device according to the invention, in connection with a return system for carbon dioxide.

Figure 6

shows schematically a possible configuration of a supply network for gaseous fuels in connection with a return system for carbon dioxide, for carrying out the supply method according to the invention.

Implementation of the invention

The examples given below are given to better illustrate the present invention, but are not suitable for restricting the invention to the features disclosed herein.

As already explained, in a method according to the invention and. a device 1 according to the invention for performing mechanical work and / or for generating electrical or thermal energy, the energy required for operation is obtained from the oxidation of carbon-containing operating materials to form an exhaust gas. The exhaust gases produced during the oxidation reaction are compressed and / or condensed and collected in a storage tank. The chemical energy is used thermo-chemically or electrochemical. Such method devices 1 according to the invention have a closed circuit, that is to say that emissions into the atmosphere arise.

The residues that arise during the performance of mechanical work or the generation of electrical or thermal energy, such as carbon dioxide in particular, are post-treated, compressed and stored in a space-saving manner, for example in a pressure tank. The stored gas mixture essentially only contains carbon dioxide and possibly also water. The carbon dioxide is regularly relocated to a suitable larger storage device for further use. This return of the carbon dioxide advantageously takes place at the same time, for example, when a vehicle is refueled.

In an advantageous variant of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention, the stored carbon dioxide is partially or completely recycled.

In the international application no. PCT / EP2010 / 067847 of the applicant, a method and a system 6 for thermal-chemical processing and utilization of carbon-containing substances are disclosed. In Figure 1 such a system 6 is shown schematically and greatly simplified.

In an essentially closed circuit, carbonaceous starting material 27 is converted into hydrocarbons 20 and hydrocarbon derivatives in the system 6. For this purpose, the carbon-containing starting material 27 is converted into synthesis gas mixture 65 in a first stage 61a and second stage 61b. In the first stage 61a, the carbon-containing substances are supplied and pyrolyzed, with pyrolysis coke 63 and pyrolysis gas 64 being produced. In a second stage 61b, the pyrolysis coke 63 is gasified from the first stage, with synthesis gas mixture 65 being formed and slag and other residues remaining. In a third stage 62, hydrocarbons and other valuable substances 20 are generated from the synthesis gas mixture 65, which can be used for other purposes, for example as liquid and / or gaseous operating materials 20. The return gas mixture 66 remaining after the synthesis stage 62 essentially contains carbon dioxide and is passed back into the first stage as a gasification agent. All three stages are pressure-tight and form an essentially closed circuit. With such a recovery system 6, solid, liquid or gaseous substances can be efficiently converted into gaseous or liquid operating materials 20. In addition, the system 6 generates thermal energy in the form of process steam (not shown). The operating materials containing hydrocarbons produced in the synthesis stage 62 are preferably temporarily stored 81, in tanks or pressure accumulators.

A device 1 according to the invention advantageously uses gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives 20 from the system 6, which are taken from the storage device 81, as fuel. The oxidation reaction generating thermal or electrical energy takes place with oxygen-enriched air, preferably with an oxygen content of> 95%, or with pure oxygen 22 instead of air. The oxygen is advantageously carried in a pressure tank. A device 1 according to the invention can be, for example, an internal combustion engine in which the heat generated during the oxidation reaction is converted into mechanical work in a heat engine, or a fuel cell in combination with an electric motor in which the oxidation reaction is used directly to generate electricity.

The use of pure oxygen 22 instead of air on the one hand avoids the formation of nitrogen oxides due to the absence of atmospheric nitrogen in a thermal-chemical reaction at high temperatures. Above all, however, essentially only carbon dioxide 24 and water vapor 23 remain in the resulting reaction products 21. Depending on the stoichiometry of the reaction, the resulting gases can also contain certain proportions of carbon monoxide and unreacted fuel. However, these can subsequently be post-treated analogously to carbon dioxide.

The reaction products 21 of the energy generating reaction are essentially gaseous. The corresponding gas mixture is now compressed in order to reduce the volume. With the help of a heat exchanger, the gas mixture 21 is cooled before and / or after the compression, as a result of which it continues to lose volume accordingly. Water is condensed out in the process, as a result of which the volume of the gas mixture is further reduced and only carbon dioxide 24 remains in the gas mixture, possibly with proportions of carbon monoxide and unreacted fuel. The condensed water 23 is separated off. The carbon dioxide 24 can be temporarily stored in a suitable reservoir, for example a pressure tank.

The carbon dioxide 24 is fed back to the first stage 61a of the system 6 at regular intervals, so that a closed material cycle results for the carbon dioxide. An intermediate store 82 for the carbon dioxide-containing exhaust gas 24 can be provided. So it is possible that with the above-mentioned method from carbon-containing substances and carbon dioxide liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives are generated, and the resulting fuel mixture is then converted into mechanical work and / or electrical or thermal energy in a device 1 according to the invention. The captured and stored carbon dioxide is fed back and partially or completely converted back into fuel 20 in the system 6. In this way, the effective carbon dioxide emissions of a device according to the invention can be very greatly reduced or even avoided entirely.

As an alternative or in addition to recirculation, part of the stored carbon dioxide can also be deposited in such a way that it cannot permanently enter the atmosphere. Corresponding technologies for permanent long-term storage of carbon dioxide are currently being further developed worldwide. For example, the final storage of carbon dioxide by pumping it into empty crude oil and natural gas fields is being tested.

Another, generalized variant of a device 1 according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG Figure 2 shown. Such an internal combustion engine 1 according to the invention can easily be operated in combined operation with hydrogen 25 as a further fuel. In such a case, the hydrogen content leads to a reduction in the residual gas quantity after the heat exchanger and compressor, since only water is produced when hydrogen is oxidized with oxygen.

If a device 1 according to the invention is designed as an internal combustion engine, then in an advantageous variant of such a device according to the invention or of such a method, water 23 can be used as an additional expansion medium. For this purpose, after the combustion process has ignited, for example after the compressed fuel-air mixture has auto-ignited in a diesel engine, a certain amount of water is injected into the cylinder. This water, which is preferably finely atomized, is then evaporated by the thermal energy of the exothermic oxidation reaction. The resulting increase in gas pressure or gas volume due to the water vapor thus contributes to the generation of the kinetic energy, with the temperature of the total mixture of combustion exhaust gases and water vapor falling at the same time. However, this is unproblematic or even desirable because the higher energy density of a reaction with pure oxygen results in significantly higher reaction temperatures, which improves the thermodynamic efficiency, but can also place greater stress on the parts of a device 1 according to the invention.

Alternatively, the water can also be introduced as steam. A certain proportion of liquid water can also be added mixed with the liquid fuel. At high reaction temperatures, superheated steam acts as an additional oxidizing agent in addition to oxygen.

The mode of operation of a method according to the invention is described and explained in more detail below using the example of a drive device 1 according to the invention in the form of a piston motor. Analogously, devices according to the invention designed as internal combustion engines can, however, also be designed as turbines or Wankel engines, etc. The gas mixture then leaves the combustion chamber. For example, in an internal combustion engine according to the invention designed as a four-stroke piston engine, the exhaust gas mixture is expelled from the cylinder during the third stroke, and is then compressed, cooled and temporarily stored.

A possible embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention designed as an internal combustion engine for performing the method according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG Figure 3 shown using the example of a piston engine with one cylinder. The internal combustion engine 1 shown has a cylinder 111 and a piston 112 movably arranged therein, which together form a closed combustion chamber 11. With a supply device 16, shown only schematically, oxygen 22 is introduced into the expanding combustion chamber 11 in a first cycle. The oxygen 22 is then compressed in a second cycle and, at the end of the second cycle, the fuel 20 is introduced into the combustion chamber 11 with a feed device 18 and burned. In the subsequent third cycle, the expanding exhaust gases 21 perform mechanical work, and in the fourth cycle the partially expanded exhaust gases 21 are discharged from the combustion chamber 11 through an outlet device 12, not shown in detail.

The hot exhaust gases 21, which essentially only consist of carbon dioxide and water vapor, are then cooled in a downstream heat exchanger 13. This reduces the volume of these exhaust gases 21. When it cools down, it condenses Part of the water 23 from, and is separated. The residual gas, which essentially consists only of carbon dioxide 24 and possibly residual components of carbon monoxide and unreacted operating materials, is compressed in a compressor 14 arranged in series and pumped into a reservoir 15, in the simplest case a pressure vessel. The condensation stage 13 before the compression 14 reduces the undesired formation of condensation water droplets in the compressor 14.

The illustrated internal combustion engine 1 according to the invention has no emissions. Since the device is not operated with air or similar mixtures, no air-specific pollutants such as nitrogen oxides can arise. The water produced during incineration is unproblematic and can be separated off. The carbon dioxide and other residual gases are collected in the memory 15 and stored for further use. Unburned parts of the fuel either condense out together with the water and are separated off, or are compressed together with the carbon dioxide.

In addition to the basic components C, H, O, sulfur and phosphorus can also be present in the operating materials for a device according to the invention, depending on the level of quality. During combustion, for example, the sulfur can react to form sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, which in turn reacts with the water to form sulphurous acid and sulfuric acid. These corrosive pollutants can be condensed out together with the water, separated and disposed of. The same applies to phosphorus-containing pollutants and any fine dust particles that may arise.

Another possible embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention designed as an internal combustion engine for performing the method according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG Figure 4 shown. In this variant, water is introduced into the combustion chamber 11 by a supply device 17, which is only shown schematically. This is preferably done so that during or after the combustion reaction a certain Amount of water 23, liquid or vapor, is injected into the combustion chamber and finely distributed. This water is heated by the heat of combustion, as a result of which the total gas volume in the combustion chamber 11 increases, and thus also the gas pressure or gas volume available for the performance of the mechanical work. Correspondingly, the amount of fuel can then be reduced while maintaining the same output.

Alternatively or additionally, water can also be introduced into the exhaust gas flow 21 when it has left the combustion chamber 11. Such a variant has the advantage that the combustion reaction in the combustion chamber can run efficiently at the highest possible temperatures, and at the same time the resulting temperature of the exhaust gas flow is so low that the downstream devices 14, 13 are not overloaded.

The amount of water and the time of injection are coordinated with the supply of fuel 21 and oxygen 22 so that the combustion reaction can take place efficiently. The resulting temperature during the oxidation reaction is advantageously essentially such that the highest possible thermodynamic efficiency of the heat engine is achieved. In addition, the greater the amount of water used, the lower the relative proportion of carbon dioxide in the reaction gases, which reduces the amount of gas to be compressed that remains after the water has condensed out.

In the in Figure 4 The device 1 shown, the exhaust gases 21 are first compressed in a compressor 14 before they are then cooled in the heat exchanger 13. The water 23 remains in the gas mixture 21 and collects in liquid form in the pressure vessel 15. When the carbon dioxide 24 is regularly emptied, the water 23 can then also be drained off at the same time. In the Figure 4 The variant shown is also made with the internal combustion engine 1 without water injection Figure 3 combinable, and vice versa, and can generally be used for a device 1 according to the invention.

The energy required for operating the compressor of a device 1 according to the invention is advantageously generated by the device itself. As a result, the achievable efficiency of the device decreases. However, at the same time, the aforementioned device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are free from emissions. In addition, the achievable power is greater with the same motor dimensioning, which compensates for the loss of power.

The compressor can, for example, be operated directly with the crankshaft of a piston internal combustion engine via a suitable transmission. If the device 1 according to the invention is designed as a turbine, the compressor can sit directly on the same shaft. The exhaust gases can then be condensed directly after the expansion process and the remaining residual flow can be compressed.

In another variant of a device according to the invention designed as a piston engine, the exhaust gases within the combustion chamber are already pre-compressed in the third cycle and then discharged through the outlet device 12. If necessary, the downstream compressor 14 can also be omitted.

Such an embodiment is also possible as a two-stroke variant because the new loading of the combustion chamber with reaction mixture (fuel 20, oxygen 22, water 23) can take place very quickly in a device according to the invention. In a second upward stroke, the exhaust gases are pre-compressed and discharged from the combustion chamber towards the end of the stroke. The gaseous oxygen can be blown into the combustion chamber under high pressure at the end of the upward stroke, since comparatively little oxygen is required for a complete combustion reaction and water is available as an additional expansion medium. The liquid fuel 20 and the water 23 as expansion agents can in any case be injected very quickly and under high pressure into the combustion chamber.

The energy consumption for the compressor can be optimized by a suitable combination with one or more heat exchangers or cooling elements, in which the gas volume can be reduced by releasing thermal energy from the reaction gases to an internal or external heat sink.

It is also possible to implement a device 1 according to the invention as a heat engine with external combustion, for example as a steam engine or steam turbine or as a Sterling engine.

Figure 4A shows another advantageous embodiment variant of a drive device 1 according to the invention, which is designed as a combined gas / steam turbine. Such a drive device is particularly suitable for ships or power plants.

In a combustion chamber 710 connected upstream of the turbine, fuel 20 is burned with oxygen 22 in a burner 714, with the formation of a very hot exhaust gas. Water 23 ′ is introduced into the combustion chamber 710, preferably as superheated liquid water at a temperature of, for example, 250 ° C. and a pressure of 50 bar. The resulting water vapor mixes with the combustion exhaust gases, so that a hot (eg 600 ° C.) exhaust gas 21 'with a high proportion of superheated water vapor is produced. The exhaust gases mentioned emerge from the combustion chamber 710 and are converted into mechanical work 78 in a subsequent turbine device 719, which in turn drives an electrical generator device 74. Depending on the configuration of the device, the gas mixture in the combustion chamber behaves isochorically, so that the gas pressure increases, or isobaric, so that the gas volume increases accordingly, or both the volume and the pressure increase. The following turbine device 719 must also be configured accordingly. Suitable turbines 719 are known from the prior art and usually have several stages. In an alternative variant, after a high pressure stage of the turbine device 719, partially expanded process steam 77 can be drawn off and used elsewhere.

The expanded exhaust gas 21 ″ is fed into a condenser / economizer 73, where the water 23 is condensed out and separated. The remaining residual gas 24, which essentially contains carbon dioxide, is compressed in a compressor 72 , or conveyed directly to the first stage of a recycling plant 6. The compressor 72 is advantageously driven directly via the turbine 719.

Instead of entering the combustion chamber 710, the water 23 'can also only be mixed with the exhaust gas flow 21' after the combustion chamber 710, for example by means of a Venturi nozzle.

In the drive device 71, the amount of water 23 'and the amount of fuel mixture 20, 22 and the other selectable parameters are advantageously coordinated with one another in such a way that the following turbine achieves the highest possible energy utilization. At the same time, the proportion of water in the exhaust gas mixture 21 'should be as high as possible. On the one hand, the highest possible pressure drop in the gas mixture on the condenser 73 is achieved in this way. This increases the total pressure difference across the turbine 719, and thus its efficiency. On the other hand, less residual gas 24 remains, which has to be compressed 72 and stored 15.

Another advantage of bringing water vapor into the combustion chamber is the cooling effect of the steam. The exothermic oxidation of the very high-energy fuel mixture can lead to very high temperatures, up to 1000 ° C or even 2000 ° C. Such temperatures would stress the structures of the combustion chamber 710 and the downstream turbine device 719 very heavily. The comparatively cold water vapor is preferably introduced into the chamber in such a way that it shields the walls of the combustion chamber 710 from the very hot flame 715. The steam finally cools the entire gas mixture down to 600 ° C to 800 ° C, which lowers the thermal load on the turbine blades and increases their service life.

In addition to the aspects already mentioned, the illustrated drive device 1 also differs from a conventional gas turbine in that no compressor is connected upstream of the combustion chamber. This allows a simpler design of the combustion chamber 710 than in the case of a gas turbine. Since the operating materials 20 are burned with pure oxygen 22, the achievable energy density is higher than with air with its reduced oxygen content. In order to increase the amount of oxygen that can be introduced into the combustion chamber 710 per unit of time, the oxygen can be pressurized. The turbine device 719 can be designed like a steam turbine since the temperature and pressure ranges of the exhaust gas 21 'are essentially the same.

A vehicle 3 driven by a device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG Figure 5 shown schematically, as an example of a mobile machine 3 according to the invention. A device 1 according to the invention designed as an internal combustion engine is either used directly as a drive unit or, alternatively, is operated constantly at an ideal speed range, with a generator generating electricity for an electrical drive unit. If the device 1 according to the invention is designed as a fuel cell system, an electric motor also serves as the drive unit.

The vehicle 3 has a tank 31 for the liquid or gaseous fuel 20 and a pressure tank 32 for the oxygen 22. The gas storage device for the carbon dioxide is advantageously designed as a pressure tank. A device 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for less weight-sensitive vehicles, such as land and water vehicles, in particular vehicles in city traffic or ships and larger boats. Depending on the size of the vehicle, it is also possible to produce the oxygen on site, as a result of which the pressure tank 32 merely serves as an intermediate store and can be designed correspondingly smaller.

Not shown in Figure 5 is a possible storage container for the water 23. However, such a container can be made comparatively small. That in the follow-up treatment of the Condensed water from waste gases can be recycled, which means that the effective water consumption and thus the size of the necessary storage tank is even smaller.

Also in Figure 5 A possible embodiment of a closed circuit for the fuel supply of such a vehicle 3 according to the invention is shown. For this purpose, the vehicle 3 is loaded with liquid or gaseous fuel 20 and with compressed oxygen 22 at an appropriately equipped refueling system 41, as well as with compressed oxygen 22 24 discharged into a corresponding gas storage tank of the refueling system 41.

In a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, the thermal energy produced in the oxidation reaction is not converted into mechanical work, but used to heat a fluid heat transport medium. This means that the device is used to generate thermal energy. For example, water, oil, air or steam can be used as a heat transport medium that transports the thermal energy generated.

In a possible variant of such a device according to the invention, the energy-generating oxidation reaction takes place in a suitably designed combustion chamber which is equipped with means for heating the transport medium, for example a heat exchanger. These agents also serve to cool the resulting exhaust gas flow.

The heated heat transport medium can then be used in industrial systems or for heating buildings. For example, a district heating center or a block-type thermal power station can be equipped with such a device according to the invention.

The refueling system 41 forms with a fuel production system 6, as described in the international application no. PCT / EP2010 / 067847 disclosed by the applicant is a closed loop. The system 6 produces liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuels 20 from carbon-containing raw materials 27. These are transported to the refueling system 41 by suitable means. The carbon dioxide 24, in turn, possibly with proportions of carbon monoxide and unreacted fuel, which has been discharged from the vehicle 3 into the refueling system 41, is transported via suitable means to the system 6, where it is fed into the closed circuit of the system 6.

A refueling system 41 is particularly suitable, for example, for public bus companies in a city. As a rule, their buses are only refueled in the company's own refueling facilities. With a comparatively small number of refueling systems 41 to be retrofitted, many vehicles 3 can therefore be reached. This leads to lower investment costs in a corresponding overall system.

In spatially clearly defined areas, for example a city, the return of the carbon dioxide and / or the supply of fuel can also take place via a suitable supply network 5. In a method according to the invention for supplying one or more consumers with gaseous and / or liquid operating materials for this method, the consumers are supplied with a first supply network with gaseous and / or liquid operating materials from one or more production plants and / or from one or more first stores . With a second return network, at least some of the exhaust gases produced during the drive process, in particular carbon dioxide, are returned from the consumers to one or more production plants and / or to one or more second storage facilities.

Figure 6 shows a possible embodiment of such a supply network for carrying out a supply method according to the invention. In the example shown, the system has two ring-shaped networks. In a first supply network 51 is from a production plant 6 gaseous or liquid fuel 20 fed in with a closed circuit. Various refueling systems 41 obtain the gaseous fuels from this network 51. Also connected to the network 51 is a first intermediate storage device 81 and a power plant 43, in which by means of a device according to the invention such as for example Figure 4A shown a power generator is operated.

In addition, there is a second return network 52, into which the refueling systems 41 and the electric power plant 43 feed the carbon dioxide 24 produced. This in turn is fed back into the production plant 6. A second buffer store 82 is used to increase the capacity of the second network. In addition, a repository 44 for carbon dioxide is also provided in the variant shown. Carbon dioxide can be diverted from the second network and pumped under pressure into a depleted petroleum store, where it then remains permanently.

If a device according to the invention is connected directly to such a supply system 5 according to the invention, a fuel tank 31 and / or gas storage 15 for the carbon dioxide can be dispensed with entirely, since the fixed line system takes on this function. This is, for example, in the case of the electricity production plant 43 in FIG Figure 6 the case.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

11

Combustion chamber

111

cylinder

112

piston

12th

Outlet device, ventilation device

13th

Heat exchanger

14th

Device for compression, compressor

15th

Gas storage

16

Supply device for oxygen

17th

Supply device for water

18th

Fuel supply device

20th

Fuel, fuel

21, 21 ', 21 "

Reaction products, product gas, combustion gas, exhaust gas

22nd

oxygen

23, 23 '

water

24

Carbon dioxide

25th

hydrogen

27

carbonaceous raw materials

3

Vehicle, mobile or stationary machine

31

Fuel tank

32

Oxygen tank

41

Refueling system

43

Plant for electricity production

44

Repository for carbon dioxide

5

Supply system

51

Supply network fuel

52

Return network carbon dioxide

6th

Plant for the thermal-chemical utilization of carbon-containing substances

61a

First stage for the generation of a synthesis gas mixture

61b

Second stage for generating a synthesis gas mixture

62

Third stage for the production of hydrocarbon derivatives and other valuable materials

63

Pyrolysis coke

64

Pyrolysis gas

65

Synthesis gas mixture

66

Return gases with carbon dioxide

71

contraption

710

Combustion chamber

711

cylinder

712

piston

713

Outlet device, ventilation device

714

burner

715

flame

716

Supply device for oxygen

717

Supply device for water

718

Supply device for operating material

719

turbine

72

compressor

73

Condenser / economizer

74

Generator device

75

external cooling circuit

76

electrical power

77

Process steam

78

mechanical energy

81

First storage facility, storage facility for operating materials

82

Second storage, storage for exhaust gases

Claims (9)

Method for performing mechanical work with an internal combustion engine, for example a piston engine or a turbine,
in which the energy required for operation is obtained from the oxidation of carbon-containing operating materials (20) to an exhaust gas (21) consisting essentially of carbon dioxide (24) and water (23) by
fuel is burned with oxygen-enriched air or pure oxygen (22) in at least one combustion chamber (11) of the internal combustion engine, and
the resulting gas pressure or the resulting gas volume is converted into mechanical work, characterized in that
Oxygen is fed into the at least one combustion chamber (16);
Water (25) is introduced (17) directly into the at least one combustion chamber; and
the exhaust gas (21) resulting from the oxidation reaction is compressed and / or condensed after the exit (12) from the at least one combustion chamber and is collected in a reservoir (15). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that oxygen-enriched air, preferably with an oxygen content of> 95%, or pure oxygen (22) is used as the oxidizing agent. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compressed exhaust gases (21) are cooled before and / or after the compression and / or condensation. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that water is condensed out and / or separated out from the exhaust gases (21). Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that after the exit (12) of the exhaust gas flow (21) from the at least one combustion chamber (11), water (23) is introduced into the exhaust gas flow. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operating materials (20) are produced using a method for the thermal-chemical utilization of carbon-containing starting materials (27), in which the carbon-containing starting materials (27) are pyrolyzed in a first stage, pyrolysis coke and pyrolysis gas are produced; in a second stage, the pyrolysis coke from the first stage is gasified, with synthesis gas being produced, and slag and other residues remaining and being removed; and in a third stage the synthesis gas from the second stage is converted into the operating materials (20); wherein excess reflux gas (66) from the third stage is passed into the first stage and / or the second stage, and the three stages form a closed circuit. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least some of the exhaust gases (21) are used in a method for the thermal-chemical utilization of carbon-containing starting materials (27), in which in a first stage the carbon-containing starting materials (27 ) are pyrolysed, with pyrolysis coke and pyrolysis gas being produced; in a second stage, the pyrolysis coke from the first stage is gasified, with synthesis gas being produced, and slag and other residues remaining and being removed; and in a third stage the synthesis gas from the second stage is converted into the operating materials (20); wherein excess reflux gas (66) from the third stage is passed into the first stage and / or the second stage, and the three stages form a closed circuit; and wherein the exhaust gases are fed into the first stage and / or the second stage and / or the third stage. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that the exhaust gases (21) are fed into the return gas (66). Method for supplying one or more consumers (41, 43, 3), which carry out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, with gaseous and / or liquid operating materials (20) for this drive method, characterized in that the consumers (41, 43, 3) with a first supply network (51) are supplied with gaseous and / or liquid operating materials (20) from one or more production plants (6) and / or from one or more first stores (81), and that with a second return network (52) at least some of the exhaust gases (21) produced during the drive process, in particular carbon dioxide (24), returned by the consumers (41, 43, 3) to one or more production plants (6) and / or to one or more second storage facilities ( 82).

Images