Integrated Membrane Reactor for Pre-Combustion CO2 Capture

For sustained coal utilization for power generation, while addressing possible long-term global climate concerns, it is imperative to capture and sequester the resulting CO2. The conventional technology for CO2 recovery from dilute flue gas after fuel combustion incurs substantial energy penalty and increases cost of electricity significantly. Approaches are therefore needed to develop low cost CO2 capture processes with high CO2 recovery. Gasification of coal to synthesis gas followed by conversion of all carbon fuel value to hydrogen in water gas shift (WGS) reaction and subsequent separation of carbon dioxide provides a low-cost opportunity to capture CO2 before fuel combustion. The costs may be reduced further by process intensification by combining WGS reaction and CO2 separation in a single membrane reactor unit. For such concept the membrane reactor must be able to operate in the high temperature high pressure syngas in the presence of contaminants. Development of such membrane reactor is proposed in this Phase I effort. For the proposed membrane reactor development, robust and durable membranes capable of withstanding the coal gas conditions are required. Promising Pd-alloy membranes with tolerance to H2S and CO in coal gas are being developed in a DOE funded project. The proposed effort will confirm durability of these membranes and demonstrate their utilization in a membrane reactor for cost-effective pre-combustion CO2 capture. The membrane reactor design will be optimized for maximum productivity as well as durability. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The proposed Phase I effort will develop a pre- combustion CO2 capture process meeting U.S. DOEs cost and performance targets for CO2 capture. The technology will address potential environmental concerns while sustaining coal utilization. Since the technology will produce pure hydrogen, it will also be suitable for large scale hydrogen production necessary for impending hydrogen economy, using coal as well as renewable biomass resources.