Supercritical catalytic converter

A method of operating a thermal processing and energy generation system, comprising:

• initiating operation of a supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) reactor by controlling a heating unit to elevate a temperature and pressure within the reactor above a critical point of water;
• delivering a mixture comprising water and carbon-based waste into the SCWO reactor and controlling an injection of an oxidizing agent to facilitate oxidation of the carbon-based waste under supercritical conditions, thereby generating heat and producing an effluent stream comprising carbon dioxide;
• heating a pressurized carbon dioxide stream using heat generated by the SCWO reactor to produce supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2);
• directing the SCCO2 to an SCOO2 turbine and controlling a flow of SCCO2 into the turbine to cause expansion of the SCCO2 and generation of mechanical energy;
• and
• operating a generator mechanically coupled to the turbine to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a hardware-based processor, causes the processor to perform stages for operating a thermal processing and energy generation system, the stages comprising:

• initiating operation of a supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) reactor by activating a heating unit to elevate a reactor temperature and pressure above a critical point of water;
• causing one or more pumps or valves to deliver a mixture comprising water and carbon-based waste into the SCWO reactor;
• causing an oxidant injection system to deliver an oxidizing agent into the SCWO reactor;
• receiving sensor data from the SCWO reactor indicating at least one of temperature, pressure, or oxidation status;
• determining whether the SCWO reactor is operating within a predefined supercritical range based on the sensor data;
• activating a flow control device to direct supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) into an SCCO2 turbine when the SCCO2 meets predefined temperature and pressure conditions;
• monitoring operating parameters of the SCCO2 turbine, including rotational speed and inlet pressure;
• and
• controlling an output of a generator mechanically coupled to the turbine to maintain a target electrical output profile.