Production of synthetic fuels from carbon dioxide with carbon dioxide separation
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023806336
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-25
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for producing synthetic fuels from carbon dioxide do not effectively integrate carbon dioxide capture processes, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and fuel production, particularly in the integration of unit operations and thermal management.
A process that captures and converts carbon dioxide into synthesis gas, followed by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, with thermal integration to recycle carbon dioxide and utilize heat generated, minimizing energy requirements and enhancing fuel production efficiency. This includes a carbon dioxide capture unit, water electrolysis, reverse water-gas shift reaction, Fischer-Tropsch reaction, and separation units, along with an air combustion unit to recycle gases and produce heat for energy integration.
The process efficiently produces high-quality synthetic fuels by recycling carbon dioxide and utilizing heat for energy, reducing external energy and water inputs, and minimizing environmental impact, while optimizing fuel production for transport and aviation applications.
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Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Production of synthetic fuels from carbon dioxide with carbon dioxide separation
[0002] Technical field
[0003] The present invention relates to the production of synthetic fuels, namely gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and / or other hydrocarbon products, such as naphtha, or lubricating bases, of very high quality (essentially free of sulfur, aromatics, nitrogen). More particularly, an object of the present invention is to produce synthetic fuels from carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2).
[0004] The capture and conversion of carbon dioxide into fuel base according to the invention comprises two successive stages: the conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen into synthesis gas composed mainly of CO+H2, then the conversion of the synthesis gas into synthesis hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. The properties of the products resulting from the Fischer-Tropsch process can be adjusted by suitable post-treatment operations to obtain the desired fuel specifications.
[0005] Prior art
[0006] The use of the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) process to convert a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen into CO+H2 synthesis gas has been known to those skilled in the art for a very long time. The same is true for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process, which converts said synthesis gas into a mixture of paraffins and / or olefins depending on the catalyst and operating conditions. In the case where paraffins are produced, it is preferable to improve certain properties to make them usable for transport applications.
[0007] Patent applications have been filed for sequences of unit operations, these sequences of unit operations aim to convert carbon dioxide into fuel base, often known as e-fuels.
[0008] For example, patent application US2010 / 0280135 A1 describes a renewable Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process for producing hydrocarbons and alcohols from wind energy, residual carbon dioxide and water. The process comprises the following unit operations: electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen, a RWGS reactor for the production of synthesis gas, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a high-temperature multi-tubular reactor. Various recycling options are described (e.g. recycle after separation of unconverted carbon dioxide from RWGS, recycle carbon dioxide ex-FT to RWGS, recycle unconverted H2 and CO ex-FT to FT).
[0009] On the other hand, patent application LIS2010 / 0280135 A1 does not mention the possibility of advantageously integrating the unit operations with a carbon dioxide capture process. Nor is there any mention of thermal integration between the different sources of calories generated by the unit operations.
[0010] Patent application US2007 / 0244208 A1 relates to a process for producing high-octane fuel from carbon dioxide and water. The raw material is industrial carbon dioxide and water. The end product may be high-octane gasoline, high-cetane diesel, or other liquid hydrocarbon mixtures suitable for driving conventional combustion engines, or hydrocarbons suitable for further industrial processing or commercial use. Products such as dimethyl ether or methanol may also be removed from the production line. The heat generated by exothermic reactions in the process is fully utilized, as is the heat generated by the production process, as is the heat generated by reprocessing hydrocarbons that are not suitable for liquid fuel.
[0011] In contrast, patent US2007 / 0244208 A1 does not mention the possibility of advantageously integrating unit operations with a carbon dioxide capture process. Nor is there any mention of recycling from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor to maximize fuel production.
[0012] Patent application US2012 / 0079767 A1 describes a method and system for producing syngas by combining hydrogen and carbon monoxide from separate sources while controlling the molar ratio (H2 / CO) of the produced syngas. Hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water. Carbon monoxide is produced by reacting carbon dioxide captured from the exhaust gases of stationary combustion engines with hydrogen in a RWGS reactor. Hydrocarbon fuels are produced from the syngas by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
[0013] In contrast, patent application US2012 / 0079767 A1 does not mention the possibility of advantageously integrating unit operations with a carbon dioxide capture process. Nor is there any mention of recycling from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor to maximize fuel production.
[0014] Patent application US2007 / 0142481 A1 describes a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons comprising introducing hydrogen and carbon monoxide into a first Fischer-Tropsch reaction stage allowing the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to partially react catalytically to form hydrocarbons. At least a portion of a tail gas that comprises unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide obtained from the first reaction stage is introduced into a second Fischer-Tropsch reaction stage which is a two-phase high-temperature catalytic Fischer-Tropsch reaction stage. The hydrogen and carbon monoxide can at least partially react catalytically in the second reaction stage to form gaseous hydrocarbons. This patent application is characterized by the presence of two Fischer-Tropsch reactors in series, the second one treating the unconverted synthesis gas from the first one.There is no recycling of carbon dioxide or recycling of water.
[0015] Thus, the analysis of the prior art highlights that the sequence of unit operations of RWGS and Fischer-Tropsch makes it possible to produce synthetic bases for fuels from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, said hydrogen being able in certain cases to be produced by electrolysis of water with a source of electricity such as solar or wind power.
[0016] However, these documents do not provide any information on the possibility of integrating unit operations with the carbon dioxide capture process, which provides the raw material containing the carbon source for producing fuels, with an unexpected positive result.
[0017] Summary of the invention
[0018] In the context described above, a first object of the present description is to overcome the problems of the prior art and to capture and recover carbon dioxide in the form of synthetic fuels usable for transport.
[0019] The invention relates to the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide, so as to produce a CO+H2 synthesis gas, and to the conversion of said synthesis gas into synthetic hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The characteristics of the effluents resulting from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis can then be adjusted by a post-treatment process ("upgrading" according to the English terminology; known to those skilled in the art) so that they are compatible with use for land, air and maritime fuels. The gases produced at the outlet of the Fischer-Tropsch reactor can also be upgraded to synthetic methane (e-methane), synthetic natural gas SNG (e-SNG) or LPG (e-LPG).
[0020] Specifically, the present invention relates to a device and a method for producing synthetic fuels from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, allowing improved production of products of interest. Advantageously, the method also makes it possible, by original thermal integration, to minimize the energy requirements for the production of said fuels. The invention is based on the presence of a unit for separating the carbon dioxide contained in the gaseous effluent from the Fischer-Tropsh reaction section, the carbon dioxide separated from this gaseous effluent is recycled to the inlet of the RWGS reaction section. Thus the gaseous effluent which can be sent to an air combustion section essentially no longer contains carbon dioxide.
[0021] Preferably, the presence of an air combustion unit makes it possible to produce a gaseous effluent comprising carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor, by combustion of the gaseous hydrocarbon by-products of the process. Advantageously, the gaseous effluent can be returned to the inlet of the carbon dioxide capture unit, so as to capture the carbon dioxide and then recover it in the RWGS reaction unit. Advantageously, the heat release generated by the air combustion makes it possible to supply calories to other units of the process, such as the RWGS reaction unit and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit, which limits the external supply of calories required.
[0022] The energy integration of the process also makes it possible to produce electricity from heat recovery. This heat converted into electricity provides energy for both water electrolysis and / or the RWGS reactor and / or the capture unit that converts carbon dioxide and hydrogen into synthesis gas.
[0023] Advantageously, hydrogen produced by water electrolysis can be used for carbon dioxide conversion, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and post-treatment. Preferably, the hydrogen required in the process is entirely supplied by a water electrolysis unit. Thus, the process according to the invention does not require an external supply of hydrogen, for example produced by steam reforming of natural gas. The electrolyser will preferably operate with low-carbon electricity, which will contribute to the renewable nature of the fuels and gases produced. In addition, the water used for hydrogen production can come at least in part from the recycling of the water produced in the various stages of the process, which has the advantage of limiting the external supply of water.
[0024] According to a first aspect, the aforementioned objects, as well as other advantages, are obtained by a device for capturing and converting a charge containing carbon dioxide, comprising the following units:
[0025] - a unit for capturing carbon dioxide from the feedstock using, for example, at least one amine-based solvent, at least one physical solvent such as, for example, polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether-based, and / or physical adsorption equipment operated by alternating temperature adsorption, and being adapted to produce an effluent rich in carbon dioxide; - a water electrolysis unit adapted to convert water to produce oxygen and hydrogen;
[0026] - a reverse water gas conversion reaction unit RWGS adapted to treat the carbon dioxide-rich effluent with hydrogen and produce a RWGS gas enriched in carbon monoxide and water;
[0027] - a Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit adapted to: convert the RWGS gas and produce an FT effluent, and optionally generate a first water vapor, generated for example by the vaporization of water in an exchanger located inside the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit, to supply thermal energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit;
[0028] - a first separation unit adapted to treat at least in part the FT effluent and produce: a hydrocarbon effluent, a first water effluent optionally recycled at least in part to the inlet of the water electrolysis unit, and a first gaseous effluent;
[0029] - a second separation unit adapted to treat the first gaseous effluent and produce: a gaseous effluent rich in carbon dioxide sent at least in part to the RWGS reaction unit and a gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide optionally recycled at least in part to the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit; and
[0030] - a hydrogen reaction unit (hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization unit) adapted to treat the hydrocarbon effluent and produce at least one hydrocarbon cut, for example to specifications for transport applications.
[0031] According to one or more embodiments, the device comprises an air combustion reaction unit adapted to at least partially oxidize the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent, produce a combustion effluent comprising carbon dioxide and water, and send the combustion effluent to the carbon dioxide capture unit.
[0032] According to one or more embodiments, the air combustion reaction unit is adapted to produce heat used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit (via a feed line), for example by heat exchange to heat the carbon dioxide-rich effluent and / or the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent and / or hydrogen, or by integrating the reaction section of the RWGS reaction unit within the chamber of the air combustion unit.
[0033] According to one or more embodiments, a portion of the hydrogen is supplied downstream of the RWGS reaction unit and upstream of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit. According to one or more embodiments, a feedstock / effluent heat exchange makes it possible to use the heat available in the RWGS effluent to preheat the gases entering the RWGS reaction unit (CO2 and H2-rich gases).
[0034] According to one or more embodiments, the device comprises a first heat exchanger adapted to generate a second water vapor by heat exchange between water and the RWGS gas which can be used for example to supply thermal energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit.
[0035] According to one or more embodiments, the device comprises a first turbine for treating at least a portion of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent separated by the first separation unit to produce electricity.
[0036] According to one or more embodiments, a second turbine is adapted to process at least in part the first water vapor and / or the second water vapor to produce electricity.
[0037] According to one or more embodiments, electricity is used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit and / or the water electrolysis unit.
[0038] According to one or more embodiments, electricity is used to provide heat to the regeneration section of the carbon dioxide capture unit.
[0039] According to one or more embodiments, the water electrolysis unit treats water from a makeup line and / or RWGS gas and / or FT effluent.
[0040] According to one or more embodiments, the water from the RWGS gas is at least partially or completely separated by a third separation unit to be sent to the water electrolysis unit.
[0041] According to one or more embodiments, the carbon dioxide-rich effluent and / or the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent are purified, separately or after mixing, before being introduced into the RWGS reaction unit. According to one or more embodiments, the RWGS gas is purified before being introduced into the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit, upstream or downstream of the third separation unit. According to one or more embodiments, the first water effluent is purified before being introduced into the water electrolysis unit. The effluent purification steps aim to at least partially remove sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, halogens, heavy metals and transition metals. The main gas purification technologies are: adsorption, absorption, catalytic reactions.According to one or more embodiments, the device comprises a carbon dioxide separation unit arranged between the RWGS reaction unit and the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit. Advantageously, the size of the FT 13 reaction unit can thus be reduced.
[0042] According to a second aspect, the aforementioned objects, as well as other advantages, are obtained by a process for capturing and converting carbon dioxide, comprising the following steps:
[0043] - treat the feed in a carbon dioxide capture unit to produce an effluent rich in carbon dioxide;
[0044] - convert water in a water electrolysis unit to produce oxygen and hydrogen;
[0045] - treating the carbon dioxide-rich effluent with hydrogen in a reverse water gas conversion RWGS reaction unit to produce a CO and water-enriched RWGS gas;
[0046] - convert the RWGS gas in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit to produce an FT effluent;
[0047] - optionally generate a first water vapor in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit to supply thermal energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit;
[0048] - treating the FT effluent in a first separation unit to produce at least one hydrocarbon effluent, a first water effluent and a first gaseous effluent;
[0049] - treating the first gaseous effluent in a second separation unit to produce a carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent and a carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent which is recycled to the inlet of the RWGS section;
[0050] - optionally oxidizing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent, for example after expansion in a turbine, in an air combustion reaction unit to produce a combustion effluent comprising carbon dioxide and water;
[0051] - optionally send the combustion effluent to the carbon dioxide capture unit; and
[0052] - treat the hydrocarbon effluent in a hydrogen reaction unit to produce at least one hydrocarbon cut, for example to the specifications required for transport applications.
[0053] According to one or more embodiments, the RWGS reaction unit comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions:
[0054] - temperature between 700°C and 1200°C, preferably between 800°C and 1100°C, and more preferably still between 850°C and 1050°C; - pressure between 0.1 MPa and 10 MPa, preferably between 0.1 MPa and 5 MPa, and more preferably between 0.1 MPa and 3.5 MPa;
[0055] - space velocity of the gas at the reactor inlet between 5000 NL / kg ca ta / h and 40000 NL / kg C ata / h ,
[0056] - catalyst comprising a metal or a combination of metals selected from the group consisting of the elements Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Pt, Pd, Ru, Ag and Au. According to one or more embodiments, the catalyst for the RWGS reaction comprises a support, for example based on alumina, silica, silica-alumina, alumina-silica.
[0057] According to one or more embodiments, the FT reaction unit comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions:
[0058] - temperature between 170°C and 280°C, preferably between 190°C and 260°C and preferably between 210°C and 240°C;
[0059] - absolute pressure between 1.0 MPa and 6.0 MPa, preferably between 1.5 MPa and 3.5 MPa and preferably between 2.0 MPa and 3.0 MPa;
[0060] - catalyst comprising cobalt or iron, preferably cobalt, the catalyst optionally comprising a support, for example based on alumina, silica, silica-alumina, alumina-silica or titanium.
[0061] According to one or more embodiments, the air combustion reaction unit comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions:
[0062] - absolute pressure between 0.1 MPa and 4 MPa;
[0063] - temperature between 600°C and 2000°C, preferably between 800°C and 1800°C and more preferably between 900°C and 1500°C;
[0064] - presence of air used for combustion, with an aeration rate between 1 and 2, and preferably at least equal to 1.2, the aeration rate being defined as the ratio of the molar flow rate of injected air compared to the theoretical air flow rate for complete oxidation of all fuels.
[0065] According to one or more embodiments, the second separation unit is a unit for separating carbon dioxide by membrane and / or by absorption in a solvent and / or by adsorption on a solid.
[0066] Embodiments of the device and method according to the aforementioned aspects as well as other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the following description, given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, and with reference to the following drawing. List of figures
[0067] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the present invention comprising a second separation unit for producing a carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent sent to the RWGS reaction unit.
[0068] Description of the embodiments
[0069] Embodiments of the device according to the first aspect and the method according to the second aspect will now be described in detail. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the device. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the device can be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
[0070] In this specification, the term "comprise" is synonymous with (means the same as) "include" and "contain", and is inclusive or open and does not exclude other elements not recited. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the exclusive and closed term "consist". Furthermore, in this specification, an effluent comprising essentially or solely a compound A corresponds to an effluent comprising at least 95% by weight, preferably at least 98% by weight, very preferably at least 99% by weight, of compound A.
[0071] In this description, the term "physical solvent" is synonymous with (means the same as) a solvent forming weak bonds (e.g. hydrogen bond, van der Waals bond) with the solute, a solvent not forming a strong bond (e.g. covalent bond, ionic bond) with the solute.
[0072] The present invention can be defined as a device and a method comprising a sequence of unit operations making it possible to produce synthetic hydrocarbons, such as synthetic fuels, for example gasoline, kerosene, diesel and / or naphtha or lubricating bases, preferably of very high quality from carbon dioxide from a capture unit.
[0073] The device and the method according to the invention are notably characterized in that they comprise and use units for capturing carbon dioxide, for converting reverse water gas (RWGS), for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, and for treating with hydrogen (hydrotreatment, and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization) the hydrocarbon cuts from the FT reaction unit, for separating carbon dioxide from the gaseous effluents from the Fischer-Tropsch process, and optionally for burning the gaseous hydrocarbon by-products of the process (RWGS and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and post-treatment) after separating the carbon dioxide therefrom. Advantageously, the necessary hydrogen can be produced by a water electrolysis unit, said water being able to come from the RWGS and Fischer-Tropsch reaction units.
[0074] One of the features of the present invention can be summarized as the use of carbon dioxide for the production of synthetic fuels, gasoline, kerosene, diesel and / or naphtha or very high quality lubricating bases. The present invention also relies on the presence of a carbon dioxide separation unit to extract and recycle carbon dioxide from the other gaseous hydrocarbon by-products of the process.
[0075] Advantageously, an air combustion unit may be arranged to treat the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous hydrocarbon by-products to produce a carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent to enhance the production of products of interest.
[0076] In addition, the heat release generated by combustion can advantageously be used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit (8) and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit (2). This supply of calories can be done for example by heat exchange with:
[0077] - the combustion gas within the combustion chamber; and / or
[0078] - the high-temperature gaseous effluent downstream of the combustion chamber; and / or
[0079] - water vapor generated by the combustion reaction unit in air and / or by heat exchange with the combustion gas effluent.
[0080] According to one or more embodiments, the present invention also makes it possible to minimize the quantity of carbon energy external to the process and therefore the impact on the environment, by means of an original energy integration based on the use of heat at the outlet of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit and optionally of the RWGS reaction unit, to desorb the carbon dioxide, for example complexed with amine in the carbon dioxide capture unit and more particularly in a solvent regeneration unit.
[0081] According to one or more embodiments, electricity can also be produced by a turbine powered by an effluent from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit and / or by water vapor (e.g. produced at the outlet of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit and / or the RWGS reaction unit), this electricity making it possible, for example, to supply calories to the device according to the invention, for example to the RWGS reaction unit.
[0082] Thus, the combination of carbon dioxide capture and chemical conversion units, preferably with original thermal integration, makes it possible to produce fuel bases, and in particular fuel for the aviation sector, while minimizing the environmental impact of the process. Preferably, the use of the water electrolysis unit to treat the water produced by the RWGS reaction unit and / or the Fischer-Tropsch unit also makes it possible to minimize the environmental impact of the process.
[0083] Referring to Figure 1, the device for converting carbon dioxide into liquid hydrocarbons comprises:
[0084] - a carbon dioxide capture unit 2 adapted to treat a feed 1 containing carbon dioxide and produce an effluent (gaseous) rich in carbon dioxide 3 (i.e., enriched in carbon dioxide compared to feed 1);
[0085] - a water electrolysis unit 5 adapted to treat water 4 (fresh or recycled) to produce oxygen 6 and hydrogen 7;
[0086] - a RWGS reaction unit 8 adapted to at least partially convert the carbon dioxide of the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 into a CO-rich RWGS gas 9 (i.e., synthesis gas enriched in CO (and water) relative to the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3);
[0087] - a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction unit 13 adapted to convert the RWGS gas 9 and produce a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) effluent 14, and optionally adapted to generate a first water vapor 22, generated for example by the vaporization of water in an exchanger located inside the FT reaction unit 13, to supply thermal energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2;
[0088] - a first separation unit 15 adapted to treat at least in part the FT effluent 14 and produce: at least one hydrocarbon effluent 17, a first gaseous effluent 33 (off-gas), and a first water effluent 16 produced by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis resulting from the condensation of the gaseous water under the operating conditions of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction;
[0089] - a second separation unit 34 for producing a carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent 18 and a carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent 35 from the first gaseous effluent 33, and recycling the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent 35 to the inlet of the RWGS section 8;
[0090] - optionally an air combustion reaction unit 28 adapted to oxidize at least a portion 24 of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent 18 separated by the second separation unit 34, produce a combustion effluent 29 comprising carbon dioxide and water, and send the combustion effluent 29 to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2;
[0091] - a hydrogen reaction unit 20 (hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization unit) adapted to treat the hydrocarbon effluent 17 with hydrogen 7 and separate at least one hydrocarbon fraction 21 comprising for example at least one of the following fractions: naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and lubricant base;
[0092] - optionally at least one heat exchanger 31 adapted to generate a second water vapor 23 by heat exchange between water and the RWGS gas 9, which can be used for example to supply thermal energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2; and
[0093] - preferably a separation unit 10 adapted to treat the RWGS gas 9 to produce a water-depleted RWGS gas 12 (compared to the RWGS gas 9), sent to the FT reaction unit 13 in place of the RWGS gas 9, and send a second water effluent 11 to the water electrolysis unit 5.
[0094] Advantageously, the reaction unit FT 13 and optionally the first heat exchanger 31 are adapted to produce water vapor by heat exchange. Advantageously, the use of water vapor makes it possible to supply energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2, for example by regenerating an amine-based solvent (or a physical solvent) loaded with carbon dioxide in a regeneration unit of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2, or by supplying alternating temperature adsorption equipment.
[0095] To avoid unnecessarily complicating the description and the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the water supplies to the FT reaction unit 13 and to the heat exchanger 31 for generating water vapor have not been described in detail. The same applies to the water outlet from the carbon dioxide capture unit 2.
[0096] Carbon dioxide capture unit
[0097] The carbon dioxide capture unit 2 makes it possible to separate the carbon dioxide from the rest of the feedstock 1. Such a carbon dioxide capture unit conventionally makes it possible to provide CO2 which can be compressed for recovery or for storage. According to one or more embodiments, the feedstock 1 comprises at least 0.04% vol. of carbon dioxide, preferably at least 2% vol. of carbon dioxide, very preferably at least 10% vol. of carbon dioxide.
[0098] According to one or more embodiments, the feedstock 1 comprises or consists of combustion fumes. According to one or more embodiments, the feedstock 1 comprises gaseous effluents from at least one unit selected from the group consisting of: a refinery, an incinerator, a petrochemical unit, a chemical unit, a thermal power plant, a paper mill, an ethanol factory, a sugar factory. According to one or more embodiments, the feedstock 1 comprises gaseous effluents from a cement plant, and / or gaseous effluents from a lime production unit, and / or gaseous effluents from blast furnaces. According to one or more embodiments, the combustion fumes come from a combustion chamber (e.g. a boiler) adapted to burn a fuel, such as coal, natural gas, fuel oil, biogas, biomass, organic waste, urban waste, with an oxidizer, generally air.
[0099] According to one or more embodiments, feedstock 1 comprises or consists of biogas, natural gas, synthesis gas, refinery gas, biomass fermentation gas, cement plant gas and / or blast furnace gas.
[0100] The carbon dioxide may also be carbon dioxide present in the air. According to one or more embodiments, the load 1 comprises or consists of air. For example, the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 may comprise a direct air capture device (“Direct Air Capture” or “DAC” according to English terminology).
[0101] For the capture, several agents can be used, such as solvents and solids. According to the invention, the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 uses at least one amine-based solvent, and / or at least one physical solvent such as, for example, based on polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether), and / or alternating temperature adsorption (physical adsorption) equipment.
[0102] A widely used carbon dioxide capture technology is based on the phenomenon of absorption, namely the passage of a chemical species from a gas to a liquid. The gas containing the impurities, or the species to be separated, is sent to a column where it is brought into contact with a liquid solvent, the two flows being able to be implemented in different hydrodynamic configurations (co-current, cross-current or counter-current, the latter solution being preferred for reasons of favorable thermodynamic equilibrium). This absorption is carried out using an absorbent solution, comprising a chemical solvent or a physical solvent, this distinction being linked to whether or not there is a chemical reaction between the absorbed component and the solvent.
[0103] Physical absorption is preferred in order to minimize the energy cost of the process; this is particularly suitable in the case of high partial pressure of the species to be separated.
[0104] Chemical absorption is preferred in the case of high dilution and low partial pressure of the species to be separated and / or in the case where a high recovery rate of this species is desired, or finally if a strict specification is required regarding the maximum admissible concentration of this species in the gas flow once washed. Thus, for the capture of carbon dioxide from (industrial) fumes with a low carbon dioxide concentration value, typically between 3 and 15% by volume (typically in low pressure gases), washing by chemical absorption, for example using an amine solvent, for example of the alkanolamine type, is well suited.
[0105] The absorbent solutions commonly used today are aqueous solutions comprising one or more reactive compounds or having a physicochemical affinity with acidic compounds. The reactive compounds may be, for example and without limitation, amines (primary, secondary, tertiary, cyclic or not, aromatic or not, saturated or not), alkanolamines, polyamines, amino acids, alkali salts of amino acids, amides, ureas, phosphates, carbonates or borates of alkali metals. According to one or more embodiments, the absorbent solution is an aqueous solution comprising one or more reactive compounds with an amine function and whose structure is described from page 6, line 1 to page 7, line 3, of patent application WO2007 / 104856.
[0106] According to one or more embodiments, the reactive compounds represent from 10% by weight to 90% by weight, preferably between 20% by weight and 50% by weight, very preferably between 25% by weight and 40% by weight, of the total weight of the absorbent solution.
[0107] Chemical absorption with amine solvents is based on acid-base equilibria, with low temperature favoring the reaction between the basic amine and acidic carbon dioxide, and high temperature favoring the reverse reaction. Thus, amine processes, using for example an aqueous phase containing 20-50% by mass of amine(s), can use two columns (not shown) in which the solvent circulates from one to the other. In the first column, called the absorber, the stream to be washed (i.e., feed 1) is brought into contact with the amine solvent at low temperature. The amine solvent flows into the column and captures the carbon dioxide.At the bottom of the column, the amine solvent ("rich" solvent) reaches a predetermined loading rate, the ratio between the number of moles of carbon dioxide captured and the number of moles of amines; at the top of the column, the gas stream exits at predetermined specifications, namely a carbon dioxide content for example nearly 10 times lower than the initial content in the flue gases. The rich solvent is sent to the second column, called the regenerator, whose operation is similar to that of a distillation column, operating at high temperature. The regenerated amine solvent ("lean" solvent) can be returned to the absorber. The amine solvent thus circulates continuously in a closed loop from one column to the other, preferably passing through a load / effluent heat exchanger to cool the lean solvent and preheat the rich solvent while saving energy on the process scale.According to one or more embodiments, the regenerator operates at a high temperature between 90°C and 250°C, preferably between 110°C and 240°C, very preferably between 120°C and 200°C at the bottom of the column.
[0108] The carbon dioxide released from the regenerator can then be optionally compressed and recovered. According to one or more embodiments, the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 comprises at least 90% vol. of carbon dioxide, preferably at least 95% vol. of carbon dioxide, very preferably at least 98% vol. of carbon dioxide. According to one or more embodiments, the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 has a temperature of between 20°C and 250°C, preferably between 30°C and 200°C, very preferably between 40°C and 150°C, at the outlet of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2. According to one or more embodiments, the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 has a pressure of between 0.20 MPa and 4 MPa, preferably between 0.30 MPa and 3.5 MPa, very preferably between 0.4 MPa and 3 MPa, at the outlet of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2.
[0109] A key aspect of industrial fume treatment operations using solvents is the regeneration step of the separation agent. Depending on the type of absorption (physical and / or chemical), regeneration by expansion, and / or distillation and / or entrainment by a vaporized gas called "stripping gas" is generally considered.
[0110] One of the main limitations of solvents commonly used today is the need to implement high flow rates of absorbent solution, which results in significant energy consumption for solvent regeneration, but also large equipment sizes (columns, pumps, etc.). This is particularly true in the case where the carbon dioxide partial pressure is low. Such energy consumption represents a considerable operating cost for the carbon dioxide capture process. The regeneration energy depends on the nature of the amines and the carbon dioxide partial pressure and is typically between 2 GJ / t and 4 GJ / t of captured carbon dioxide. New capture processes tend to decrease this energy in order to tend towards values lower than 2 GJ / t of carbon dioxide.In the context of air treatment, carbon dioxide concentrations being very low, the energy consumed is very high, in the order of 5GJ / t of carbon dioxide to 7.5 GJ / t of carbon dioxide.
[0111] Another possible implementation is based on the principle of adsorption using a solid adsorbent with a strong chemical affinity for carbon dioxide. To ensure continuous operation, the processes operate with several reactors in parallel. The carbon dioxide is adsorbed onto the solid adsorbent and the flow to be treated (i.e., feed 1) becomes depleted as it advances through the solid bed, and, at the outlet, the flow no longer contains, or contains little, carbon dioxide. However, the solid adsorbent gradually becomes saturated and can no longer adsorb carbon dioxide. The flow to be treated is then sent to another reactor containing a solid adsorbent not saturated with carbon dioxide and the capture operation continues. In parallel, the reactors saturated with carbon dioxide are subject to a regeneration operation:
[0112] - by a rise in temperature, we then speak of adsorption at alternating temperature (or
[0113] “TSA” for “Temperature Swing Adsorption” according to Anglo-Saxon terminology); and
[0114] - by partial vacuum, we then speak of adsorption by pressure inversion (or
[0115] “VPSA” for “Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption” according to Anglo-Saxon terminology, or simply “VSA” or “PSA”, possibly in the presence of a gas promoting desorption).
[0116] The bottlenecks of TSA processes are the large amount of heat required for regeneration. The thermal integration proposed in the present invention allows this bottleneck to be overcome.
[0117] According to one or more embodiments, the solid adsorbent for carbon dioxide capture is chosen from the following compounds: activated carbon, zeolites, aluminas, silicas, synthetic fibers with or without impregnated amines, solids of the metal-organic framework type ("Metal-Organic Framework" or "MOF" according to English terminology), supported alkali carbonates. These solid absorbents are increasingly used in the case of carbon dioxide capture from air. The regeneration energy of absorbents with physisorption in these cases, for example on zeolites, is of the order of 0.6 to 0.9 GJ / t of carbon dioxide. For amines supported on solid, the regeneration energy is between 5.4 and 7.2 GJ / t of carbon dioxide.
[0118] Advantageously, the energy required for the regeneration of the amine solvent and / or the temperature increase of the solid adsorbent can be provided at least partially by the first water vapor 22 and optionally the second water vapor 23. This supply of energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 makes it possible to maximize the energy efficiency of the process.
[0119] According to one or more embodiments, the temperature of the water vapor 22 and / or 23 is at least 110°C, preferably at least 120°C, very preferably at least 130°C, for example at the outlet of the heat exchanger 31 and / or the reaction unit FT 13. According to one or more embodiments, the temperature of the water vapor 22 and / or 23 is between 110°C and 270°C, preferably between 120°C and 260°C, very preferably between 130°C and 220°C, for example at the outlet of the heat exchanger 31 and / or the reaction unit FT 13. According to one or more embodiments, the water vapor 22 and / or 23 has a pressure of between 0.1 MPa and 4 MPa, preferably between 0.1 MPa and 3.5 MPa, very preferably between 0.1 MPa and 1.7 MPa, for example at the outlet of the heat exchanger 31 and / or the reaction unit FT 13.
[0120] Water electrolysis unit
[0121] The water electrolysis unit 5 treats water 4 coming from: a make-up line and / or the third optional separation unit 10 and / or the first separation unit 15.
[0122] According to one or more embodiments, the water electrolysis unit 5 comprises a pre-treatment section adapted to extract oxygenated compounds from the water 4, for example from the first water effluent 16.
[0123] According to one or more embodiments, the water electrolysis unit 5 comprises at least one alkaline type electrolyzer. Other electrolyzer technologies may be used for the water electrolysis unit, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, solid oxide electrolysis (SOE), or anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis. The operating conditions (temperature, pressure, nature of the electrolyte, electrodes and diaphragm / membrane) are then specific to each technology.
[0124] According to one or more embodiments, the water electrolysis unit 5 comprises at least one reactor used in at least one of the following operating conditions:
[0125] Alkaline type electrolyzer:
[0126] - temperature between 60°C and 90°C,
[0127] - pressure between 0.1 MPa and 20 MPa, preferably between 0.1 MPa and 4 MPa,
[0128] - electrolyte comprising KOH,
[0129] - electrodes comprising a metal alloy,
[0130] - diaphragm comprising asbestos, polytetrafluoroethylene and / or nickel oxide;
[0131] Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer:
[0132] - temperature between 50°C and 80°C,
[0133] - pressure between 0.1 MPa and 20 MPa, preferably between 1.8 MPa and 5.5 MPa,
[0134] - electrolyte comprising a polymer membrane,
[0135] - electrodes comprising a metal alloy;
[0136] Solid Oxide Electrolyzer (SOE):
[0137] - temperature between 800°C and 900°C,
[0138] - pressure between 0.1 MPa and 2 MPa, preferably between 0.1 MPa and 0.5 MPa,
[0139] - electrolyte comprising a ceramic membrane (eg perovskite type),
[0140] - electrodes comprising a metal alloy; Anion exchange membrane (AEM) type electrolyzer:
[0141] - temperature between 50°C and 70°C,
[0142] - pressure between 0.1 MPa and 20 MPa, preferably between 0.1 MPa and 3.5 MPa,
[0143] - electrolyte comprising a polymer membrane,
[0144] - electrodes comprising a metal alloy.
[0145] According to one or more embodiments, the oxygen 6 produced by the water electrolysis unit 5 comprises between 99.0% by weight and 99.8% by weight of C>2 (after drying).
[0146] According to one or more embodiments, the hydrogen 7 produced by the water electrolysis unit 5 comprises between 99.5% by weight and 99.999% by weight of H2 (after drying).
[0147] According to one or more embodiments, the water electrolysis unit 5 is based on a solid oxide electrolyser (SOE) technology for which at least part of the water 4 can be in the form of steam supplied at least partially by the first water vapour 22 and optionally the second water vapour 23. This supply of energy to the electrolysis unit 5 makes it possible to improve the energy efficiency of the process.
[0148] RWGS reaction unit
[0149] The RWGS reaction unit 8 produces a RWGS gas 9 (synthesis gas) enriched in CO (and depleted in hydrogen) compared to the total carbon dioxide-rich effluents 3 and 35 and containing unconverted carbon dioxide and water. The hydrogen 7 required for the RWGS reaction comes from the water electrolysis unit 5.
[0150] According to one or more embodiments, the RWGS reaction unit 8 comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions:
[0151] - temperature between 700°C and 1200°C, preferably between 800°C and 1100°C, and even more preferably between 850°C and 1050°C;
[0152] - pressure between 0.1 MPa and 10 MPa, preferably between 0.1 MPa and 5 MPa, and more preferably between 0.1 MPa and 3.5 MPa;
[0153] - space velocity of the gas at the reactor inlet between 5000 NL / kg ca ta / h and 40000 NL / kgcata / h;
[0154] - catalyst based on the elements Ni, Cu, Fe, Co or precious metals such as Pt, Pd, Ru, Ag and Au. According to one or more embodiments, the catalyst for the RWGS reaction comprises a support, for example based on alumina, silica, silica-alumina, alumina-silica.
[0155] According to one or more embodiments, the amount of hydrogen at the inlet of the RWGS reaction unit 8 is adjusted so that the H2 / CO molar ratio at the outlet of the RWGS reaction unit 8 is compatible with the requirement of the FT unit, i.e. between 0.5 and 4, preferably between 1 and 3, more preferably between 1.5 and 2.5. According to one or more embodiments, the RWGS gas 9 has an outlet temperature of the RWGS reaction unit 8 of at least 700°C, preferably at least 750°C, very preferably at least 800°C.
[0156] According to one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the RWGS gas 9 supplies energy to the regeneration unit of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2, by means of the first heat exchanger 31 producing the second water vapor 23 by (indirect) heat exchange between water (not shown) and the RWGS gas 9, preferably directly at the outlet of the RWGS reaction unit 8.
[0157] The gas from RWGS 9 is preferably sent to the third separation unit 10.
[0158] Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit
[0159] According to the invention, in the reaction unit FT 13, the carbon monoxide and hydrogen present in the RWGS gas 9 (preferably depleted in water) react to produce a stream comprising an effluent FT 14 comprising unconverted synthesis gas, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon products and water.
[0160] According to one or more embodiments, the RWGS 9 gas (preferably depleted in water) sent to the FT reaction unit 13 comprises carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a H2 / CO molar ratio of between 0.5 and 4, preferably between 1 and 3, more preferably between 1.5 and 2.5. According to one or more embodiments, the quantity of hydrogen upstream (eg at the inlet) of the FT reaction unit 13 is adjusted, for example by means of an optional hydrogen supply, so that the H2 / CO molar ratio is as defined above.
[0161] The FT 13 reaction unit is implemented in a reaction unit comprising one or more suitable reactors, the technology of which is known to those skilled in the art. This may be, for example, one or more multitubular fixed bed reactors, or one or more slurry bubble column reactors, or one or more microchannel reactors.
[0162] According to one or more embodiments, the FT reaction unit uses one or more bubble column type reactors. Since the synthesis is highly exothermic, this embodiment makes it possible, among other things, to improve the thermal control of the reactor and to create little pressure drop.
[0163] The catalyst used in this Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is generally any catalytic solid known to those skilled in the art for carrying out the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. According to one or more embodiments, the catalyst used in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprises cobalt or iron, preferably cobalt. The catalyst used is generally a supported catalyst. The support may be, for example, based on alumina, silica, silica-alumina, alumina-silica or titanium.
[0164] According to one or more embodiments, the reaction unit FT 13 comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions:
[0165] - temperature between 170°C and 280°C, preferably between 190°C and 260°C and preferably between 210°C and 240°C,
[0166] - absolute pressure between 1.0 MPa and 6.0 MPa, preferably between 1.5 MPa and 3.5 MPa and preferably between 2.0 MPa and 3.0 MPa.
[0167] The effluent FT 14 is sent to the first separation unit 15. According to one or more embodiments, the effluent FT 14 has an outlet temperature from the reaction unit FT 13 of at least 170°C, preferably at least 190°C, very preferably at least 210°C.
[0168] According to one or more embodiments, the reaction unit FT 13 is adapted to produce the first water vapor 22 and supply thermal energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2. The first water vapor 22 is generated for example by the vaporization of water (not shown) in a heat exchanger located inside the reaction unit FT 13 making it possible to eliminate the calories from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, an exothermic reaction.
[0169] First separation unit
[0170] In the first separation unit 15, at least a (first) part of the effluent FT 14 is treated to produce:
[0171] - hydrocarbon effluent 17 (depleted in water compared to effluent FT 14),
[0172] - the first gaseous effluent 33, and
[0173] - the first water effluent 16.
[0174] According to one or more embodiments, a second part of the effluent FT 14 is sent directly into the hydrogen reaction unit 20. Preferably, said second part of the effluent FT 14 is a liquid fraction, preferably containing little or no water.
[0175] At the outlet of the first separation unit 15, the hydrocarbon effluent 17 is sent to the hydrogen reaction unit 20, and the first water effluent 16 is optionally sent to the water electrolysis unit 5 by means of a first recycle line.
[0176] According to one or more embodiments, the hydrocarbon effluent 17 comprises: n-paraffins, olefins and oxygenated compounds resulting from the condensation of gaseous hydrocarbons under the operating conditions of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. According to one or more embodiments, the hydrocarbon effluent 17 comprises less than 5% by weight of water, preferably less than 2% by weight of water, very preferably less than 1% by weight of water.
[0177] According to one or more embodiments, the first water effluent 16 is produced from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis resulting from the condensation of gaseous water under the operating conditions of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
[0178] According to one or more embodiments, the first gaseous effluent 33 comprises unconverted synthesis gas, carbon dioxide and gaseous hydrocarbons such as C1 to C4 paraffins (predominantly), C2 to C4 olefins, and C1 to C3 oxygenated compounds.
[0179] Second separation unit
[0180] In the second separation unit 34, the first effluent 33 from the first separation unit 15 is treated to produce:
[0181] - the gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide 18; and
[0182] - the gaseous effluent rich in carbon dioxide 35, compared to the carbon dioxide content of the first effluent 33.
[0183] According to a first embodiment, the second separation unit 34 is a membrane separation unit. Membrane separation processes were initially not recommended for capturing carbon dioxide in post-combustion, gas-liquid absorption processes in a chemical solvent being considered the most mature and most suitable technology for carrying out this operation. However, the most recent technologies make it possible to separate carbon dioxide economically with membranes (dense polymers, inorganic materials, hybrid matrices, liquid membranes). Reference may be made to the journal article: Oil Gas Sci. Technol.
[0184] - Rev. IFP Energies nouvelles, Volume 69, Number 6, November-December 2014. The main performance is a capture rate and purity of carbon dioxide greater than 90%.
[0185] According to a second embodiment, the second separation unit 34 is a carbon dioxide capture unit based on the absorption of carbon dioxide in a solvent.
[0186] According to a third embodiment, the second separation unit 34 is a carbon dioxide capture unit based on the adsorption of carbon dioxide on a solid.
[0187] According to one or more embodiments, a (first) portion 19 of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent 18 is sent to the FT reaction unit 13 by means of a second recycle line. According to one or more embodiments, at least a (second) portion 24 of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent 18 is treated by the first turbine 26 to produce electricity, the gas 27 leaving the first turbine 26 is sent to the air combustion reaction unit 28.
[0188] According to one or more embodiments, a (third) portion of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent 18 is recycled into the RWGS reaction unit 8 (not shown) in order to be converted into synthesis gas and thus improve the mass efficiency of the process chain.
[0189] According to one or more embodiments, a (fourth) part of the gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide 18 is sent to an independent synthesis gas production unit (not shown), for example of the type:
[0190] - partial oxidation (or “POx” for “Partial oxidation” according to Anglo-Saxon terminology);
[0191] - steam methane reforming (or “SMR” for “Steam Methane Reforming” in Anglo-Saxon terminology);
[0192] - autothermal reforming (or “ATR” for “Autothermal Reforming” in Anglo-Saxon terminology);
[0193] - enhanced heat transfer reforming (or “EHTR” for “Enhanced Heat Transfer Reformer” in English terminology).
[0194] According to one or more embodiments, said synthesis gas produced in the independent unit is recycled to the inlet or outlet of the RWGS reaction unit 8.
[0195] Air combustion reaction unit
[0196] According to one or more embodiments, at least a portion 24 of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent 18 is sent to the air combustion reaction unit 28, in which the hydrocarbon compounds, carbon monoxide and hydrogen present (i.e., CO, H2, paraffins and olefins of 1 to 7 carbon atoms per molecule, and alcohol compounds of 1 to 3 carbon atoms per molecule) are converted at least partially into carbon dioxide and water in the presence of air 30, to produce a combustion gas comprising (e.g. essentially) carbon dioxide and water.
[0197] According to one or more embodiments, the air combustion reaction unit 28 comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions: absolute pressure between 0.1 MPa and 4 MPa; temperature between 600°C and 2000°C, preferably between 800°C and 1800°C and more preferably between 900°C and 1500°C; - presence of air 30 with an aeration rate between 1 and 2, and preferably at least equal to 1.2, in particular to limit the concentration of unburned gases CO and H2.
[0198] The aeration rate is defined as the ratio of the molar flow rate of injected air to the theoretical air flow rate for complete oxidation of all fuels.
[0199] According to one or more embodiments, a so-called "light" hydrocarbon fraction (not shown) from the hydrogen reaction unit 20 is sent at least in part to the air combustion reaction unit 28 (not shown). According to one or more embodiments, the hydrocarbon fraction comprises gaseous hydrocarbons such as C1 to C4 paraffins (predominantly), C2 to C4 olefins, and C1 to C3 oxygenated compounds.
[0200] According to one or more embodiments, the combustion gas produced in the air combustion reaction unit 28 has a temperature of between 600°C and 2000°C and preferably between 800°C and 1800°C and more preferably between 900°C and 1500°C, and an absolute pressure of between 0.1 MPa and 4 MPa.
[0201] The combustion gas produced in the air combustion reaction unit 28 being at high temperature makes it possible, via the supply line 32, to supply part of the necessary calories to the RWGS reaction unit 8 and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit 2.
[0202] According to one or more embodiments, the air combustion reaction unit 28 is adapted to produce heat used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit 8 and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 (via a feed line 32, for example by heat exchange to heat the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 and / or the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent 35 and / or the hydrogen 7, or integration of the reaction section of the RWGS reaction unit 8 within the chamber of the air combustion unit 28.
[0203] The supply of calories can be done for example by a heat exchange with water vapor produced by the air combustion reaction unit 28 and / or a heat exchange within the combustion chamber of the air combustion reaction unit 28 and / or a heat exchange with the high temperature gaseous effluent downstream of the air combustion reaction unit 28. For example, after the transfer of calories, for example to the RWGS reaction 8, from the combustion gas in the combustion chamber, the residual heat contained in the combustion effluent 29 at the outlet of the air combustion reaction unit 28 can be used to produce steam, sent for example to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2.Advantageously, the air combustion reaction unit 28 makes it possible to convert substantially all of the hydrocarbon by-products of the process into carbon dioxide, and therefore to recover them in the form of the desired products. Thus the yield of desired products from the process according to the invention is improved.
[0204] The combustion effluent 29 at the outlet of the air combustion reaction unit 28 is recycled to the inlet of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2.
[0205] Hydrogen reaction unit
[0206] The hydrocarbon effluent 17 is sent to the hydrogen reaction unit 20 to undergo a hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization reaction, in which one or more hydrocarbon cuts 21 can be recovered, in particular synthetic fuels, namely gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and / or other hydrocarbon products, such as naphtha, or very high-quality lubricating bases (essentially free of sulfur, aromatics, nitrogen). One possible option is the production of paraffinic cuts, base products for petrochemical processes, for example the production of a C10-C13 cut intended for the production of linear alkyl benzene (or "LAB" for "Linear Alkyl Benzene" according to English terminology), or waxes for various industrial applications.
[0207] According to one or more embodiments, the hydrogen reaction unit 20 comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions:
[0208] - temperature between 250°C and 450°C, more preferably between 280°C and 450°C, and even more preferably between 320°C and 420°C;
[0209] - pressure between 0.2 MPa and 15 MPa, preferably between 0.5 MPa and 12 MPa, more preferably between 1 MPa and 10 MPa;
[0210] - space velocity defined as the ratio of the volume flow rate of the feed at ambient temperature and pressure to the volume of the catalyst, between 0.1 h -1 and 10 a.m. -1 , preferably between 0.2 h' 1 and 7 a.m. 1 , more preferably between 0.5 h -1 and 5 a.m. -1 ;
[0211] - hydrogen flow rate between 100 and 2000 normal liters of hydrogen per liter of charge per hour and preferably between 150 and 1500 normal liters of hydrogen per liter of charge and more preferably between 300 and 1500 normal liters of hydrogen per liter of charge.
[0212] According to one or more embodiments, the hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst comprises at least one hydrogenating-dehydrogenating metal chosen from the group comprising the metals of group VI B and group VII IB of the periodic table and at least one solid which is a Bronsted acid, i.e. a solid capable of releasing one or more protons, and optionally a binder. According to one or more embodiments, the hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst comprises at least one noble metal of group VII IB chosen from ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum, taken alone or as a mixture, and preferably from platinum and palladium taken alone or as a mixture, and preferably used in their reduced form.
[0213] According to one or more embodiments, the hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst comprises: at least one metal chosen from nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, ruthenium, indium, palladium, platinum; at least one support chosen from aluminas, boron oxides, magnesias, zirconias, titanium oxides, clays. According to one or more embodiments, the support is an alumina, silica-alumina, alumina-silica, silica.
[0214] According to one or more embodiments, the hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst comprises at least one base metal from group VI 11 B chosen from nickel and cobalt in combination with at least one metal from group VI B chosen from molybdenum and tungsten, used alone or as a mixture, and preferably used in their sulfurized form.
[0215] According to one or more embodiments, in the case where said hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst comprises at least one noble metal from group VIIIB, the noble metal content of said catalyst is between 0.01% and 5% by weight, preferably between 0.05% and 4% by weight and very preferably between 0.10% and 2% by weight, relative to the total weight of the catalyst.
[0216] According to one or more embodiments, in the case where said hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst comprises at least one metal from group VI B in combination with at least one non-noble metal from group VIII chosen from nickel and cobalt, the content of metal from group VI B in said catalyst is comprised in oxide equivalent between 5% and 40% by weight, preferably between 10% and 35% by weight, and the content of metal from group VIIIB in said catalyst is comprised in oxide equivalent between 0.5% and 15% by weight, preferably between 1% and 10% by weight, preferably between 1% and 8% by weight, and very preferably between 1.5% and 6% by weight, relative to the total weight of the catalyst.
[0217] According to one or more embodiments, the hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst comprises or consists of at least one noble metal and a support comprising or consisting of at least one zeolite and at least one binder.
[0218] According to one or more embodiments, the zeolite-based hydrotreatment and / or hydrocracking and / or hydroisomerization catalyst is advantageously of the bifunctional type, that is to say that it has a hydro-dehydrogenating function and a hydro-isomerizing function.
[0219] Third separation unit
[0220] In the third separation unit 10, the RWGS gas 9 is treated, for example by condensation, to produce the water-depleted RWGS gas 12 (relative to the RWGS gas 9) and recycle, for example, the second water effluent 11 to the water electrolysis unit 5.
[0221] According to one or more embodiments, the water-depleted RWGS gas 12 comprises less than 1 mol% water, preferably less than 0.5 mol% water, most preferably less than 0.25 mol% water.
[0222] The water-depleted RWGS gas 12 is sent to the FT reaction unit 13.
[0223] Turbine
[0224] With reference to Figure 1, according to one or more embodiments, the present invention makes it possible to recover energy in the form of electricity by means of at least one turbine 26.
[0225] According to one or more embodiments, the first turbine 26 is adapted to treat at least a portion 24 of the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent 18 to produce electricity.
[0226] According to one or more embodiments, a second turbine (not shown) is adapted to process at least in part the first water vapor 22 and / or the second water vapor 23 to produce electricity (not shown).
[0227] According to one or more embodiments, electricity is used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit 8 and / or to the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 and / or to the water electrolysis unit 5. According to one or more embodiments, electricity 25 is used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit 8. According to one or more embodiments, electricity 25 can be used to power an electric furnace for preheating the feedstock of the RWGS reaction unit 8.
[0228] Carbon dioxide separation unit
[0229] According to one or more embodiments, the device further comprises a unit for separating carbon dioxide and optionally methane (not shown), compounds potentially present in the RWGS gas 9. Advantageously, the carbon dioxide can be recycled into the RWGS reaction unit 8. According to one or more embodiments, the carbon dioxide separation unit is arranged between the RWGS reaction unit 8 and the FT reaction unit 13. Advantageously, the size of the FT reaction unit 13 can thus be reduced.
[0230] According to one or more embodiments, the carbon dioxide separation unit is arranged at the outlet of the reaction unit FT 13.
[0231] Oxy-combustion unit
[0232] According to one or more embodiments, the oxygen 6 from the water electrolysis unit is recovered in an oxycombustion unit (partial or total oxidation), for example to convert the methane formed present in the RWGS 9 gas separated by the carbon dioxide separation unit.
[0233] Effluent purification units
[0234] According to one or more embodiments, the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 and / or the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent 35 are purified, separately or after mixing, before being introduced into the RWGS reaction unit 8. According to one or more embodiments, the RWGS gas 9 is purified before being introduced into the FT reaction unit 13, upstream or downstream of the third separation unit 10. According to one or more embodiments, the first water effluent 16 is purified before being introduced into the water electrolysis unit 5. The effluent purification steps aim to at least partially remove sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, halogens, heavy metals and transition metals. The main gas purification technologies are: adsorption, absorption, catalytic reactions.
[0235] In this description, the groups of chemical elements are given by default according to the CAS classification (CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, publisher CRC press, editor-in-chief DR Lide, 81st edition, 2000-2001). For example, group VIIIB according to the CAS classification corresponds to the metals of columns 8, 9 and 10 according to the new IUPAC classification; group VI B according to the CAS classification corresponds to the metals of column 6 according to the new IUPAC classification.
[0236] Example
[0237] The various examples relate to sequences, whether or not in accordance with the invention, the objective of which is to produce a hydrocarbon cut from fumes containing 21% by weight of carbon dioxide. The flow rate of fumes to be treated is 3641 kg / h for all the examples.
[0238] Example 1 not in accordance with the invention The example of a device not in accordance with the invention is similar to the device shown in Figure 1 except that the second separation unit 34 is not present and that there is therefore no gaseous effluent rich in carbon dioxide 35 directed towards the RWGS reaction unit 8.
[0239] This example illustrates the operation of the sequence with the recovery of part 24 of the gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide 18 from the first separation unit 15 with combustion step in order to generate heat for the RWGS reaction unit 8. The carbon dioxide present in the gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide 18 is not separated before entering the air combustion reaction unit 28.
[0240] The flue gas flow rate feeding the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 is 3641 kg / h to which must be added the flue gas flow rate of the combustion effluent 29, which gives a total flow rate of load 1 of 5509 kg / h. The flow rate of the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 from the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 is 1283 kg / h, sent to the RWGS reaction unit 8.
[0241] 1331 kg / h of water 4 feeds the water electrolysis unit 5, of which 672 kg / h is fresh water. The power consumption of the water electrolysis unit 5 is 5.8 MWe.
[0242] The quantity of first water vapor 22 produced by the reaction unit FT 13 is 1310 kg / h. The heat exchanger 31 produces 1295 kg / h of second water vapor 23 out of 2103 kg / h required for the operation of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2. The steam requirements of the reboiler of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 are covered.
[0243] The production of hydrocarbon cut 21 is 177 kg / h.
[0244] Table 1 summarizes the inlet and outlet flow rates of the process units.
[0245] Table 1
[0246] Needs:
[0247] - consumption of water electrolysis unit 5: 5.8 MWe;
[0248] - heat consumed by the RWGS 8 reaction unit at 864°C: 0.2 MWth;
[0249] - heat requirement to preheat the load (3+7) at unit 8 input at 864°C: 0.8 MWth;
[0250] - steam at the reboiler of carbon dioxide capture unit 2: 2103 kg / h. Energy recovery:
[0251] - heat released by the combustion reaction unit in air 28 at 1200°C (with an excess of air of 20%): 0.35 MWth;
[0252] - heat recovered during cooling of the fumes at the outlet of the combustion reaction unit in air 28 from 1200°C to 150°C: 0.7 MWth (to preheat the load (3+7) at the inlet of unit 8);
[0253] - steam produced at heat exchanger 31: 1295 kg / h;
[0254] - steam produced in the FT 13 reaction unit: 1310 kg / h;
[0255] - electricity production at the first turbine 26: 5 kWe.
[0256] Example 2 according to Figure 1
[0257] Example 2 is in accordance with the invention according to Figure 1. This example illustrates the operation of the sequence with the recovery of the part 24 of the gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide 18 to an air combustion unit in order to generate heat for the RWGS reaction unit 8. The gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide 18 comes from the second separation unit 34, making it possible to eliminate a part of the carbon dioxide from the effluent 33 coming from the first separation unit 15. The gaseous effluent rich in carbon dioxide 35 is directed to the RWGS reaction unit 8. The part 24 of the gaseous effluent depleted in carbon dioxide 18 is directed to the combustion unit.
[0258] The flue gas flow rate feeding the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 is 3641 kg / h to which must be added the flue gas flow rate of the combustion effluent 29, which gives a total flow rate of load 1 of 5332 kg / h. The flow rate of the carbon dioxide-rich effluent 3 from the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 is mixed with the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent 35, and their total flow rate amounts to 1352 kg / h sent to the RWGS reaction unit 8.
[0259] 1403 kg / h of water 4 feeds the water electrolysis unit 5, of which 708 kg / h is fresh water. The power consumption of the water electrolysis unit 5 is 6.6 MWe.
[0260] The quantity of first water vapor 22 produced by the FT reaction unit 13 is 1377 kg / h. The heat exchanger 31 produces 1332 kg / h of second water vapor 23 out of 2392 kg / h required for the operation of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 and the second separation unit 34. The steam requirements of the reboiler of the carbon dioxide capture unit 2 and the second separation unit 34 are covered.
[0261] With the same quantity of treated fumes as example 1, the production of hydrocarbon cut 21 is 186 kg / h instead of the previous 177 kg / h.
[0262] Table 2 summarizes the inlet and outlet flow rates of the process units. Table 2
[0263] Needs:
[0264] - consumption of water electrolysis unit 5: 6.6 MWe;
[0265] - heat consumed by the RWGS reaction unit 8 at 864°C: 0.2 MWth; - heat required to preheat the charge (3+ 35+7) at the inlet of unit 8 at 864°C: 0.8
[0266] MWth;
[0267] - steam at the reboiler of carbon dioxide capture unit 2: 2002 kg / h.
[0268] - steam at the reboiler of the second separation unit 34: 390 kg / h.
[0269] Energy recovery: - heat released by the combustion reaction unit in air 28 at 1200°C (with an excess of air of 20%): 0.56 MWth;
[0270] - heat recovered during cooling of the fumes at the outlet of the combustion reaction unit in air 28 from 1200°C to 150°C: 0.7 MWth (to preheat the load (3+ 35+7) at the inlet of unit 8); - steam produced at the heat exchanger 31: 1332 kg / h;
[0271] - steam produced in the FT 13 reaction unit: 1377 kg / h;
[0272] - electricity production at the first turbine 26: 3.5 kWe.
Claims
Claims 1. Device for capturing and converting a charge containing carbon dioxide, comprising the following units: - a carbon dioxide capture unit (2) from the feedstock (1) adapted to produce an effluent rich in carbon dioxide (3); - a water electrolysis unit (5) adapted to convert water (4) to produce oxygen (6) and hydrogen (7); - a reverse water gas conversion reaction unit RWGS (8) adapted to treat the carbon dioxide-rich effluent (3) with hydrogen (7) and produce a RWGS gas (9) enriched in carbon monoxide and water; - a Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit (13) adapted to convert the RWGS gas (9) and produce an FT effluent (14); - a first separation unit (15) adapted to treat at least part of the effluent FT (14) and produce a hydrocarbon effluent (17), a first water effluent (16), and a first gaseous effluent (33); - a second separation unit (34) adapted to treat the first gaseous effluent (33) and producing a carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent (18) and sending at least in part a carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent (35) into the RWGS reaction unit (8); and - a hydrogen reaction unit (20) adapted to treat the hydrocarbon effluent (17) and produce at least one hydrocarbon cut (21).
2. Device according to claim 1, comprising an air combustion reaction unit (28) adapted to at least partially oxidize the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent (18), produce a combustion effluent (29) comprising carbon dioxide and water, and send the combustion effluent (29) into the carbon dioxide capture unit (2).
3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the air combustion reaction unit (28) is adapted to produce heat used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit (8) and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit (2).
4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the air combustion reaction unit (28) is adapted to produce heat used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit (8).
5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the air combustion reaction unit (28) is adapted to heat the carbon dioxide-rich effluent (3) and / or the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent (35) and / or the hydrogen (7), or to integrate the reaction section of the RWGS reaction unit (8) within a combustion chamber.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit (13) is adapted to generate a first water vapor (22) to supply thermal energy to the carbon dioxide capture unit (2).
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first heat exchanger (31) adapted to generate a second water vapor (23) by heat exchange between water and the RWGS gas (9).
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first turbine (26) for treating at least in part the carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent (18) to produce electricity.
9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the electricity is used to supply calories to the RWGS reaction unit (8) and / or the carbon dioxide capture unit (2) and / or the water electrolysis unit (5).
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water electrolysis unit (5) treats water from a make-up line and / or RWGS gas (9) and / or FT effluent (14).
11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the water from the RWGS gas (9) is separated in part or completely by a third separation unit (10) to be sent to the water electrolysis unit (5).
12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a carbon dioxide separation unit arranged between the RWGS reaction unit (8) and the Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit (13). A process for capturing and converting carbon dioxide, comprising the following steps: - treating the feed (1) in a carbon dioxide capture unit (2) to produce an effluent rich in carbon dioxide (3); - converting water (4) in a water electrolysis unit (5) to produce oxygen (6) and hydrogen (7); - treating the carbon dioxide-rich effluent (3) with hydrogen (7) in a reverse water gas conversion RWGS reaction unit (8) to produce a CO and water-enriched RWGS gas (9) - converting the RWGS gas (9) in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction unit (13) to produce an FT effluent (14); - treating the FT effluent (14) in a first separation unit (15) to produce at least one hydrocarbon effluent (17), a first water effluent (16) and a first gaseous effluent (33); separating the first gaseous effluent (33) in a second separation unit (34) to produce a carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent (35) and a carbon dioxide-depleted gaseous effluent (18); - sending at least part of the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous effluent (35) into the RWGS reaction unit (8); and - treating the hydrocarbon effluent (17) in a hydrogen reaction unit (20) to produce at least one hydrocarbon cut (21). The method of claim 13, wherein the RWGS reaction unit (8) comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions: - temperature between 700°C and 1200°C; - pressure between 0.1 M Pa and 10 M Pa; - space velocity of the gas at the reactor inlet between 5000 NL / kg ca ta / h and 40000 NL / kgcata / h; - catalyst comprising at least one metal chosen from the group consisting of the elements Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Pt, Pd, Ru, Ag and Au, and / or in which the FT reaction unit (13) comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions: temperature between 170°C and 280°C; absolute pressure between 1.0 MPa and 6.0 MPa; catalyst comprising cobalt or iron. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the air combustion reaction unit (28) comprises at least one reactor used under at least one of the following operating conditions: - absolute pressure between 0.1 MPa and 4 MPa; - temperature between 600°C and 2000°C; - presence of air used for combustion, with an aeration rate between 1 and 2, the aeration rate being defined as the ratio of the molar flow rate of injected air to the theoretical air flow rate for complete oxidation of all fuels.