Core Viewpoint - The successful commercial operation of the world's first 2×15 MW supercritical carbon dioxide waste heat power generation project, known as "Super Carbon No. 1," in Liupanshui, Guizhou, marks a significant advancement in energy conversion technology, utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide instead of steam for power generation, thus opening a new phase in thermal-electric conversion [1][4]. Group 1: Technological Breakthrough - The core innovation of "Super Carbon No. 1" is the replacement of steam with supercritical carbon dioxide as the energy conversion medium, which operates under specific temperature and pressure conditions to achieve a unique state that combines the properties of gas and liquid [2][3]. - Supercritical carbon dioxide has a higher density, allowing it to store more energy and reduce flow resistance, enabling direct expansion to drive power generation without the phase change process required by water [2][3]. Group 2: Advantages of the Technology - The technology does not consume water resources or produce wastewater, which is particularly beneficial for water-scarce regions and high-water-consumption industries like steel production [3]. - The compact design of "Super Carbon No. 1" significantly reduces the footprint compared to traditional steam power systems, and it can operate efficiently with waste heat in the range of 350 to 600 degrees Celsius [3]. - The net power generation efficiency of "Super Carbon No. 1" can improve by 20% to 50% compared to mainstream waste heat steam power technologies, enhancing the conversion of industrial waste heat into electricity [3]. Group 3: Commercialization and Impact - The technology has been recognized as a revolutionary advancement in thermal-electric conversion, with China becoming the first country to commercialize it, following years of research and development [4][5]. - The commercial operation of "Super Carbon No. 1" is expected to significantly enhance corporate profitability by converting industrial waste heat into usable energy, with projections of generating over 70 million kilowatt-hours annually compared to older systems [6]. - The technology supports China's dual carbon goals by potentially saving approximately 4.83 million tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 12.85 million tons if widely adopted across similar projects [6]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The technology can be integrated with renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, addressing the instability of new energy sources by using excess electricity to heat molten salt for energy storage, which can then be converted to electricity using supercritical carbon dioxide [7]. - The project has established a comprehensive industrial chain for supercritical carbon dioxide power generation technology in China, paving the way for its application across various sectors, including steel, chemical, cement, and glass industries [7].
工业余热变电添新招 超临界二氧化碳发电技术实现商业应用
Jing Ji Ri Bao·2026-01-18 22:20