Technology
CO2 Vortech uses a propeller type wind turbine rotating on a vertical axis to capture the airflow in a large natural draft cooling tower for an estimated power generation of 6 MW or renewable electricity. CO2 Vortech’s technology also allows integrating one or more carbon dioxide capture devices for removing carbon dioxide from the inlet air.
A natural draft cooling tower generates an upward draft due to its shape and to the pressure differential between its base and top. Inlet bays that direct the airflow in a circular way inside the tower, and a specially designed wind turbine are added to the cooling tower. The combination of the circular airflow (tangential) and the updraft flow (axial) increases the power density available inside the tower. These airflows are converted to electrical power using the wind turbine.
Renewable energy is much sought after due to government regulations and environmental awareness, but product costs are still high in comparison with existing energy sources (hydro, gas, coal). CO2 Vortech’s technology is able to generate clean energy at a lower cost by taking advantage of a longer operating cycle. CO2 Vortech successfully transforms highly variable wind turbine generation into base load source. With a higher capacity factor, the technology competes extremely well with existing clean energy generation (wind, solar) that supplies energy for peak demand only. CO2 Vortech’s installed cost per MW is reduced by using existing infrastructure (tower, transmission lines) and by a simpler regulatory approval process. Applications in operating cooling towers will address the global warming problem by reusing waste heat and through CO2 capture.