Abstract

“Thermoeconomic Analysis of sCO2 Power Cycles” 

Second-Law analysis evaluates the irreversibilities of a process. Systematic study of the relationship between thermodynamic efficiency and process modifications enhances process synthesis. The Allam cycle is an oxyfuel combustion cycle with nearly complete carbon capture that offers greater efficiency than current electricity generating systems.

In this talk, lost-work analysis is applied to the original Allam cycle and three modifications to obtain the distribution of irreversibilities and the effects of different configurations among potential process improvements for more sustainable power generation. The major inefficiencies are from the combustors and heat exchangers.

Also examined are the economic profitabilities of the alternatives. The largest equipment costs are for the turbines, compressors, and recuperators. It is found that improving efficiency leads to less economic return; a configuration with partial compression has the highest efficiency while the original Allam cycle has the highest profitability.

This leads to a discussion of how to resolve such apparent conflicts between sustainability and profitability.

Abstract

“Teaching Chemical Process and Product Design”

All chemical engineering departments teach a course(s) on process design, focusing on how to manufacture chemical products. But, few teach a course(s) on product design, covering how to innovate when converting new R&D technologies into new chemical products that satisfy the “voice 
of the customer”.

In this talk, the distinctions between process and product design are considered, focusing on the importance and difficulty of teaching how to design a broad range of chemical products. It begins with the chemical supply chain and the differences between business-tobusiness (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) products. Examples of “device”, “functional”, and “formulated” products are considered next, before addressing the recent “venture-capital landscape” and product-design oriented companies (e.g., 3M, Dow-Dupont, P&G, Pfizer). Then, common process-design topics are covered for simple molecule products.

This leads to the CACHE report on Teaching Chemical Product Design and its associated Questionnaire being circulated to design instructors worldwide.