Split Hydrocarbon Processing for Hydrogen and Pure CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture and hydrogen production technologies from hydrocarbon fuels are inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful, lacking feasible and competitive solutions across various industrial sectors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of split hydrocarbon processing (SHCP) to separate hydrogen and solid carbon streams from hydrocarbons, utilizing hydrogen as a clean fuel or product and solid carbon in oxy-fired combustion to generate nearly pure CO2 for storage, integrated into diverse industrial and power processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional CO2 capture and hydrogen production technologies are used from hydrocarbon fuels, then hydrogen production and CO2 capture are achieved, but the processes are inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the hydrocarbon fuel into two separate streams: hydrogen-rich gas and solid carbon. This segmentation allows independent processing of each stream - hydrogen is produced efficiently while solid carbon is combusted to generate CO2. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient hydrogen production without the high costs associated with traditional integrated CO2 capture processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts solid carbon from the hydrocarbon fuel through thermal decomposition, separating it from the hydrogen-containing gases. This extraction allows the carbon to be utilized as a fuel source for CO2 generation, while hydrogen is produced separately. This resolves the efficiency-cost contradiction by creating two value streams from one feedstock.
2Productivity
If CO2 separation is performed from process exhaust gas, then CO2 capture is achieved, but the process becomes complex due to diverse exhaust gas compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary decomposition of hydrocarbon fuels to separate carbon and hydrogen before combustion occurs. By pre-separating the carbon component as solid carbon black, the system eliminates the need for complex post-combustion CO2 separation processes. The CO2 is generated directly from combusting the separated carbon, simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts what would normally be a waste product (solid carbon residue from decomposition) into a useful fuel source. By combusting the separated solid carbon, the system generates CO2 in a concentrated, easily captureable form, turning a potential disposal problem into a benefit that simplifies CO2 capture operations.
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is produced from hydrocarbon fuels, then hydrogen supply is improved, but CO2 emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces solid carbon as an intermediary substance that mediates between hydrogen production and CO2 management. The carbon serves as both a separation medium during decomposition and a controllable fuel source for CO2 generation. This intermediary allows hydrogen to be produced while CO2 emissions are managed separately through controlled combustion of the carbon intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards the conventional approach of releasing all carbon as CO2 during combustion, instead recovering and separately managing the carbon component. By discarding the integrated combustion approach and recovering carbon as a separate stream, the system enables independent optimization of hydrogen production and CO2 emissions management.
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
SHCP reduces operational costs, enhances hydrogen production, and facilitates efficient CO2 capture and storage, providing a feasible and economically viable solution for multiple industrial and power applications.
Implementation Method 1
decomposition of the carbon and hydrogen components of hydrocarbon fuels into two streams: hydrogen and solid carbon
Implementation Method 2
solid carbon is further processed by an oxy-fired combustion processing unit, where oxygen is pre-separated from nitrogen using an air separation unit and then fed into the oxy-fired combustion processing unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses various applications of split hydrocarbon processing (SHCP) across an array of technologies for hydrogen (H2), power and industrial production purposes. These applications generate nearly pure carbon dioxide CO2 with no need for separation, making it ready for compression and storage or utilization.