Preparation of Synthesis Gas from CO2 for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis—Comparison of Alternative Process Configurations

Ilkka Hannula,Noora Kaisalo,Pekka Simell

doi:10.3390/c6030055

Ilkka Hannula, Noora Kaisalo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/c6030055

Copy DOI

Abstract

We compare different approaches for the preparation of carbon monoxide-rich synthesis gas (syngas) for Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis from carbon dioxide (CO2) using a self-consistent design and process simulation framework. Three alternative methods for suppling heat to the syngas preparation step are investigated, namely: allothermal from combustion (COMB), autothermal from partial oxidation (POX) and autothermal from electric resistance (ER) heating. In addition, two alternative design approaches for the syngas preparation step are investigated, namely: once-through (OT) and recycle (RC). The combination of these alternatives gives six basic configurations, each characterized by distinctive plant designs that have been individually modelled and analyzed. Carbon efficiencies (from CO2 to FT syncrude) are 50–55% for the OT designs and 65–89% for the RC designs, depending on the heat supply method. Thermal efficiencies (from electricity to FT syncrude) are 33–41% for configurations when using low temperature electrolyzer, and 48–59% when using high temperature electrolyzer. Of the RC designs, both the highest carbon efficiency and thermal efficiency was observed for the ER configuration, followed by POX and COMB configurations.

Highlights

The global transportation energy use is currently dominated by fossil fuels, whose combustion releases annually over 7 Gt of carbon dioxide (CO2 ), adding to the greenhouse gas effect [1]
Severalsupported supported metal metal catalysts forfor useuse in reverse water-gas shift (rWGS), such as Ni, Several catalystshave havebeen beenstudied studied in rWGS, such asPt, Ni,and
To analyze the robustness of our results, we studied the impact of syngas preparation temperature on both ηthermal and ηCO2

Summary

Introduction

The global transportation energy use is currently dominated by fossil fuels, whose combustion releases annually over 7 Gt of carbon dioxide (CO2 ), adding to the greenhouse gas effect [1]. As the world’s governments strive to meet the ambitious targets of the Paris Agreement, decarbonization of transport will present particular challenges [2]. Deep reductions in transport emissions can be accomplished by decarbonizing vehicle technologies, fuels or both, but tight coupling between the vehicle fleet and refueling infrastructure presents major impediment for any large-scale introduction of sustainable alternatives. Major breakthroughs have taken place in electric mobility, where electric car sales have grown annually by over 40% for several years. In the IEA’s sustainable development scenario (SDS), 13% of the global car fleet is electric by 2030, requiring annual average growth of 36% per year between 2019 and 2030. In the IEA’s sustainable development scenario (SDS), 13% of the global car fleet is electric by 2030, requiring annual average growth of 36% per year between 2019 and 2030. [3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion