Simulation analysis of bio-oil reforming for co-production syngas and high purity H2 or CO2 with chemical looping processes

Abstract

Chemical looping allows for the production of different products, such as syngas, high-purity hydrogen and high concentration CO2, through a single process without the need for separation. In this study, a detailed analysis is investigated by utilizing Aspen Plus software to explore the feasibility of bio-oils efficient utilization in four chemical looping processes. The Sorption Enhanced Steam Reforming (SESR) process for syngas production with CO2 capture can be modified into an autothermal process by combusting a fraction of the syngas, leading to a syngas yield of 11.04 (mol/mol fuel) and a CO2 capture capacity of 4.18 (mol/mol fuel). The Calcium and Chemical Looping Reforming (CaL-CLR) process is a unique approach to attaining the greatest syngas yield of 11.31 (mol/mol fuel) and capturing the highest CO2 of 5.40 (mol/mol fuel) simply by adjusting the flow rate of NiO oxygen carrier to realize autothermic reforming without compromising the syngas output. Nevertheless, the integration of NiO and air reactor (AR) will lead to increased financial and operational outlays. For co-production of syngas and high-purity hydrogen, the Three-Reactors Chemical Looping Hydrogen (TR-CLH) process can produce high-purity hydrogen with 5.70 (mol/mol fuel) under autothermal conditions, but the syngas yield and purity are low. The Chemical Looping Reforming and Water Splitting (CLRWS) process has the potential to create a substantial syngas yield, up to 9.63 (mol/mol fuel), as well as a considerable flow rate of high-purity hydrogen, 8.42 (mol/mol fuel). It is clear that this process is more successful than other processes available; however, the excessively high temperature of the fuel reactor (FR) impedes its further utilization.