Method and device for energy conversion

Abstract

A method and a device for conversion of energy are proposed, in which a hydrocarbon-containing energy source is burned in a combustion space ( 12 ) in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere and the generated heat is transmitted to a steam power plant circuit ( 60 ). Flue gas ( 104 ), which is formed in the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source, is cooled in a direct-contact cooler ( 20 ) in direct contact with a water-containing coolant flow ( 138 ).

1 . A method for conversion of energy comprising:
 burning a hydrocarbon-containing energy source in a combustion space ( 12 ) in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere to generate heat; transmitting the generated heat to a steam power plant circuit ( 60 ); and cooling flue gas ( 104 ), formed in the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source, in a direct-contact cooler ( 20 ) in direct contact with a water-containing coolant flow ( 138 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source in the combustion space ( 12 ) takes place at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source in the combustion space ( 12 ) is performed at at least 8 bar (abs.). 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source in the combustion space ( 12 ) is performed at at least 10 bar (abs.). 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source in the combustion space ( 12 ) is performed at at least 40 bar (abs.). 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source in the combustion space ( 12 ) is performed at at least 80 bar (abs.). 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a liquid flow ( 121 ), withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ), is used as a heat transfer medium for energy use. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one part of a liquid flow ( 121 ), withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ), is used to preheat a working fluid ( 160 ) of the steam power plant circuit ( 60 ). 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a working fluid is used to transmitting the heat generated in the combustion space ( 12 ) to the steam power plant circuit ( 60 ), and the working fluid is preheated in at least one liquid-liquid heat exchanger. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a working fluid is used to transmitting the heat generated in the combustion space ( 12 ) to the steam power plant circuit ( 60 ), and at least one part of a liquid flow ( 121 ), withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ), is used to evaporate the working fluid ( 160 ) of the steam power plant circuit ( 60 ). 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one part of the liquid flow ( 121 ), withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ), is used in an oxygen preheater ( 35 ) for preheating an oxygen flow ( 150 ). 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the oxygen flow ( 150 ) is heated in a direct-contact heat exchanger ( 34 ) in direct contact with the part of the liquid flow ( 121 ) that has been withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ). 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a liquid flow ( 140 ), withdrawn from the oxygen preheater ( 35 ), is at least partially returned as a coolant flow into the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ). 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a liquid flow ( 121 ), withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ), after cooling is at least partially returned as a coolant flow ( 138 ) into the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ). 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a liquid flow ( 121 ), withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ), is supplied to a water-treatment apparatus ( 22 ). 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein one part of the flue gas ( 104 ) is returned into the combustion space ( 12 ). 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein one part of a liquid flow ( 121 ), withdrawn from the direct-contact cooler ( 20 ), is returned into the combustion space ( 12 ). 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for conversion of energy by the method according to  claim 1 , said apparatus comprising:
 a combustion space ( 12 ) for the combustion of a hydrocarbon-containing energy source in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere; a steam power plant circuit ( 60 ), which is energy-coupled to the combustion space ( 12 ) for use of heat that has been generated in the combustion space ( 12 ); and a direct-contact cooler ( 20 ) connected downstream from the combustion space ( 12 ) wherein a flue gas ( 104 ), formed in the combustion of the hydrocarbon-containing energy source, can be cooled in direct contact with a water-containing coolant flow ( 138 ).