Application of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology for Process Intensification

Very often technology challenges in one industry can be addressed by looking outside the industry to capabilities developed elsewhere. Process intensification can be achieved by increasing operating pressures and temperatures to increase reaction rates and/or reduce equipment sizes. Liquid propulsion for space applications has a 50 year history of developing high energy density hardware for applications where weight is at a premium. In particular, the industry developed capability for efficient high pressure combustion processes using effective injector mixing and high heat flux cooling to keep metal temperatures at acceptable levels. In addition, the industry developed low weight turbomachinery components with energy densities up to 100HP/lb. This paper will discuss how these capabilities are being applied for process intensification in the chemical, oil and gas, and power generation industries to improve efficiency and reduce cost. In particular applications in coal gasification, partial oxidation of Natural Gas, steam generation for secondary oil recovery and supercritical CO2 closed Brayton cycles for power generation will be highlighted.