Hydrogen Reforming Cogeneration With CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon reforming processes produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, contributing to carbon emissions, and existing methods lack efficient systems for reducing these emissions while producing hydrogen and ammonia.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that integrates hydrocarbon reforming with oxygen and steam to produce syngas, separates hydrogen, and utilizes it for power generation, incorporating a turbine wheel and compressor system to generate electricity, while capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrocarbon reforming is used to produce hydrogen, then hydrogen production is achieved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful carbon dioxide emissions from hydrocarbon reforming into a beneficial resource by capturing and utilizing it in subsequent chemical reactions, specifically converting CO2 into methanol and ammonia products, thereby transforming the waste product into a valuable chemical output
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it produces hydrogen through reforming, captures carbon dioxide emissions, converts CO2 into additional hydrogen and chemical products, and generates electricity, making the overall process multi-functional and reducing net carbon emissions
2Power
If hydrogen is combusted for power generation, then electricity is produced, but carbon emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fuel parameter from conventional carbon-based fuels to hydrogen, which combusts to produce water instead of carbon dioxide, thereby eliminating carbon emissions during power generation while maintaining electricity production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the previously harmful carbon dioxide emissions into a beneficial fuel source (hydrogen) through chemical reactions, which is then used for clean power generation, transforming the waste product into a clean energy source
3Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is captured and converted, then carbon emissions are reduced, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated processing steps: the reforming process simultaneously produces hydrogen and CO2, the CO2 is directly converted to methanol and ammonia in the same system, and electricity generation is integrated, reducing the need for separate discrete processing units
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions through integrated processing: hydrogen production, CO2 capture, CO2 conversion to chemicals, and electricity generation all occur within a unified process architecture, reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple functions performed
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
Reduces carbon emissions by utilizing hydrogen as a clean fuel, generating electricity and heat efficiently, and sequestering carbon dioxide, thus achieving a lower carbon footprint.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrocarbon reforming involves chemical synthesis of hydrogen gas from hydrocarbons (such as methane) by use of a catalyst or via a partial oxidation process. Steam reforming (sometimes referred to as steam methane reforming) is a type of methane reforming in which hydrocarbons are converted in the presence of steam to form syngas
Implementation Method 2
The hydrogen stream is combusted to produce a steam stream
Implementation Method 3
The steam stream is flowed to a turbine wheel of an electric generator, thereby causing the steam stream to expand while flowing across the turbine wheel and the turbine wheel to rotate
Implementation Method 4
The electric generator generates electrical power in response to rotation of the turbine wheel
Implementation Method 5
A gas stream comprising oxygen is compressed to produce a compressed gas stream
Implementation Method 6
Heat from the first exhaust stream is transferred to the compressed gas stream
Implementation Method 7
the method comprises converting at least a portion of the carbon monoxide of the syngas stream to produce carbon dioxide and additional hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrocarbon stream is reformed in the presence of oxygen and steam to produce a syngas stream. A hydrogen stream is separated from the syngas stream. The hydrogen stream is combusted to produce a steam stream. The steam stream is flowed to a turbine wheel of an electric generator, thereby causing the steam stream to expand while flowing across the turbine wheel and the turbine wheel to rotate. The electric generator generates electrical power in response to rotation of the turbine wheel. In this way, hydrogen produced by reforming can be utilized as a clean fuel source for cogeneration to produce useful heat and electricity while simultaneously decreasing the carbon footprint of the process.