Process for the enhancement of power plant with co2 capture and system for realization of the process

Abstract

Improved methods and systems for power plants with CO2 capture and especially power plants with CO2 capture for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) purposes.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A power plant system comprising:
 a fossil fueled power plant having an inlet and an exhaust;   a flue gas treatment unit communicating with the exhaust of the power plant;   a recycle line communicating with the flue gas treatment unit and the inlet of the power plant;   an air separation unit communicating with the inlet of the power plant;   an ambient air source communicating with the inlet of the power plant;   wherein at least a portion of a CO 2  enriched gas stream from the flue gas treatment unit is mixed with oxygen enriched gas from the air separation unit and ambient air from the ambient air source to form a mixed gas stream that is delivered by the recycle line to the inlet of the power plant.   
     
     
         2 . The power plant system of  claim 1  wherein the power plant is a power plant for an enhanced oil recovery system. 
     
     
         3 . The power plant system of  claim 1  wherein the power plant is a gas turbine, a steam generator or a combined gas turbine and steam generator. 
     
     
         4 . The power plant system of  claim 1  wherein the air separation unit is a cryogenic air separation unit. 
     
     
         5 . The power plant system of  claim 1  further comprising a heater communicating with the flue gas treatment unit and with the recycle line, for preheating the CO 2  enriched gas stream. 
     
     
         6 . The power plant system of  claim 1  further comprising a chemical processing unit communicating with the flue gas treatment unit wherein the portion of the CO 2  enriched gas stream that is not recycled is treated in the chemical processing unit. 
     
     
         7 . The power plant system of  claim 6  wherein the chemical processing unit is an amine wash unit. 
     
     
         8 . The power plant system of  claim 1  wherein the flue gas treatment unit is a direct contact flue gas cooler or a chilled water direct contact flue gas cooler. 
     
     
         9 . The power plant system of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the CO 2  enriched gas stream that is not recycled is provided to end users. 
     
     
         10 . The power plant system of  claim 9  wherein the end user is an enhanced oil recovery operation. 
     
     
         11 . The power plant system of  claim 1  wherein the air separation unit produces a nitrogen enriched gas stream that may be provided directly to an end user. 
     
     
         12 . The power plant system of  claim 11  further comprising a mixing unit communicating with the flue gas treatment unit and with the air separation unit wherein the portion of the CO 2  enriched gas stream that is not recycled and the nitrogen enriched gas stream from the air separation unit are mixed for supply to end users. 
     
     
         13 . A method of enhancing the operation of a power plant comprising:
 collecting flue gas from the power plant;   recycling at least a portion of the collected flue gas to the power plant;   mixing the recycled flue gas with air and oxygen enriched gas; and   delivering the mixed gases to the power plant.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising supplying the oxygen enriched gas from an air separation unit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the oxygen enriched gas is from 50% to 100% oxygen. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising treating the flue gas prior to the step of recycling a portion of the flue gas. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein treating the flue gas comprises processing the flue gas through a direct contact flue gas cooler or through a chilled water direct contact flue gas cooler. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising delivering the portion of the flue gas that is not recycled to an end user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the end user is an enhanced oil recovery operation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising
 producing a nitrogen enriched gas stream from the air separation unit; and 
 delivering the nitrogen enriched gas stream to an end user. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising
 mixing the portion of the flue gas that is not recycled with the nitrogen enriched gas stream; and 
 delivering the mixture to an end user. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising removing oxygen from the flue gas prior to mixing with the nitrogen enriched gas stream. 
     
     
         23 . A method of enhancing the operation of a power plant comprising:
 collecting flue gas from the power plant;   recycling at least a portion of the collected flue gas to the power plant; and   delivering air and oxygen enriched gas to the power plant.