Sorbents for Air Separation

Gasification-based power generation processes, such as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants, offer the possibility of higher thermal efficiency and better environmental performance than competing technologies. Yet, additional improvements are needed to reduce their capital and operating costs. One such improvement would be the use of oxygen instead of air for gasification, which would increase efficiency, reduce NOx emissions, and improve gas purity. However, oxygen is expensive to produce. Therefore, this project will develop a high-temperature sorbent-based system for air separation, so that the gasification process can be supplied with low cost oxygen. Phase I developed a low-cost regenerable sorbent that can remove oxygen with very high capacity, demonstrated that the sorbent maintains its capacity for over 200 absorption/regeneration cycles under representative conditions, demonstrated economic viability, and reported the potential for dramatic reductions in the cost of oxygen. In Phase II, improvements in sorbent¿s performance will be continued, and the sorbent will be scaled-up for production using commercial manufacturing techniques. A prototype test unit will be designed and fabricated, in order to demonstrate the concept at a larger scale. Lastly, a detailed system analysis and engineering assessment will be performed to fully quantify the benefits of the new technology. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Oxygen is a strategically important chemical, with a $2.0 billion market value. It supports the combustion of fuels that supply heat, light, and power, and enters into oxidative combination with many materials. A cost-effective air separation technology should find immediate use in the U.S. energy manufacturing and chemical industries.