Generation of Pressurized Oxygen by Push/Pull Adsorption

For efficient operation, coal-fired Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plants require high-pressure (400 psi) oxygen for gasification. However, the economic feasibility of these systems is currently limited by the high cost of oxygen. This project will develop technology for generating high pressure oxygen from pressurized steam and atmospheric-pressure air. The approach will combine a previously-developed Push/Pull Adsorption process with a previously untested high-efficiency redox sorbent. Preliminary economics suggest that the process can produce oxygen at significantly lower cost and with significantly less energy consumption than competing technologies such as cryogenic separation and pressure swing absorption. In Phase I, a new high-efficiency redox sorbent ¿ with low thermal mass, high surface area, and high utilization ¿ will be generated and characterized. Laboratory-scale experiments will be conducted to generate high-pressure oxygen and measure the kinetics of the process. These data will be used to design a system for generating 400 psi oxygen, which would be suitable for gasifying coal in a high-efficiency IGCC power plant. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A much less expensive method of separating oxygen from air would make oxygen-blown coal gasification cost effective for IGCC power plants. In additon, any industry that presently uses oxygen ¿ such as steel production, glass production, and hospitals ¿ could achieve significant costs savings.