Cyclic Hydrogen Production with In Situ CO2-to-CO Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen production methods, such as sorption-enhanced chemical looping reforming, capture CO2 but do not utilize it in situ, and there is a need for a method that combines CO2 capture with in situ utilization and avoids deactivation of solid materials by coking.
Innovation Solution
A cyclic method involving two steps with a first step using a first solid material and CO2 sorbent to produce a hydrogen-rich stream and a second step using a second solid material to produce a carbon monoxide-rich stream, where the first solid material has a higher thermodynamic equilibrium oxygen partial pressure than the second, allowing for irreversible oxidation and CO2 release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If sorption-enhanced chemical looping reforming is used to capture CO2, then CO2 capture is achieved, but the captured CO2 is not utilized in situ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CO2 capture and CO2 utilization into a single integrated process. The CO2 captured by the sorbent in the first reactor is directly utilized in the second reactor for chemical looping reforming, eliminating the need for separate capture and utilization processes. This merging resolves the contradiction by making in situ CO2 utilization possible while maintaining effective CO2 capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The CO2 sorbent material acts as an intermediary that transfers CO2 from the first reactor to the second reactor. The sorbent captures CO2 in the first step, then releases it in the second step where it is utilized for reforming. This intermediary mechanism enables both CO2 capture and in situ utilization simultaneously.
2Productivity
If steam reforming is performed at high temperatures, then hydrogen production is enhanced, but solid materials are deactivated by coking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of CO2 (which causes coking and deactivation) into a beneficial resource. The CO2 that would otherwise deactivate the solid material is captured by the sorbent and then utilized as a reactant in the chemical looping reforming process. This transforms the harmful CO2 into a useful component that maintains solid material stability while enabling continuous hydrogen production.
Solution Approach 2:
The process operates in periodic cycles with distinct phases: first, steam reforming occurs at high temperature to produce hydrogen; second, the sorbent captures CO2; third, the captured CO2 is utilized in chemical looping reforming. This periodic operation allows the system to alternate between high-temperature reforming and CO2 management, preventing coking while maintaining productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively produces high-purity hydrogen and carbon monoxide streams while utilizing captured CO2 and preventing solid material deactivation by coking, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a CO2 sorbent material
Implementation Method 2
the first solid material oxidizes the at least one reductant of the first gas stream in the first step and under the process conditions of the first step to form syngas
Implementation Method 3
the second solid material is reduced by syngas in the first step and under the process conditions of the first step; and the second solid material is oxidized by CO2 released by said CO2 sorbent material in the second step and under the conditions of the second step to form CO
Implementation Method 4
a method that uses heat to release CO2 from a CO2 sorbent material by combining the use of an oxidant (for example air) and a solid material (the first solid material)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cyclic method of producing a hydrogen rich and/or a carbon monoxide rich stream using different materials, a first solid material, a second solid material and a CO2 sorbent material. In a first step a first gas stream comprising steam and at least one reductant is brought in contact with the three materials resulting in a hydrogen rich outlet stream. In a second step, the captured CO2 from the first step is released and converted to CO to produce a CO rich outlet stream. The invention further relates to an installation for producing a hydrogen rich and/or carbon monoxide rich stream.