Combustion systems using clean energy

Combustion systems can be adapted to use clean energy and thereby reduce their carbon footprint. Instead of emitting carbon it emits CO2 which is isolated by cooling the flue gasses and recovering for further commercial use. A typical example is a 500 kW gas generator which was developed to use clean energy in the sense that the technology has zero emission and CO2 can be sequestered.

It works as follows: it has an oxy-combustor or “gas generator” which burns gaseous fuel along with oxygen in the presence of water; then produces a steam/CO2 mixture at an extremely high temperature. Water is injected in the combustion process to reduce the temperature to prevent melting; the steam/CO2 mixture, power steam turbines and generates electricity. Once cooled down, the CO2 is recovered and can be resold commercially or used in a commercial process. The water used in the process is recycled.

A real substantial advantage of having a combustion system which uses clean energy is that no emission stack is needed and it is environmental friendly – a solution we should all strive towards. Another type of technology used to adapt combustion systems to use clean energy is combustion conversion that utilizes solid biomass to generate heat and power.

Examples of solid biomass are saw dust, wheat straw, corn husks and animal waste. All or some of these are found in all countries. It should, however, be noted that the quality of the biomass, as well as the sustainability of the resource, be considered before it can be used.

It works as follows – there are two categories of conversion namely a direct combustion system as well as a gasification system. The direct combustion system burns the biomass and generates hot flue gas which can be used for heat directly or fed in a boiler to generate steam. The steam can be used for space heating or can be used to generate electricity. This type of technology seems like low-cost technology and equipment seems to be easily available - an excellent idea to use bio-waste to generate heat or electricity.

Unfortunately, some biomass products still tend to produce emissions in the air; therefore, further research will be needed. It may also lead to deforestation and displacement of food production for bio-energy production, which in turn can lead to the clearing of carbon-rich ecosystems at other sites to grow food. Policies in all countries should ensure that harvests of biomass do not degrade soils, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity and water quality.

Despite all the progress that has been made so far for combustion systems to use clean energy, the progress is still too slow. Technical challenges still need to be overcome, and policies need to be adapted to support the research, and those who use combustion systems, which use clean energy.  Those cutting down on carbon emissions should be financially rewarded, and high emission creating facilities should be fined. Saving our world should be everybody’s concern and governments all over the world should lead the way.