Simulation of a NGCC Power Generation Plant for the Production of Electricity from CO<sub>2</sub> Emissions Part I: The Methanation Reactor

Abstract

The final goal of this applied research is to simulate a Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plant with a CO2 capture unit. The originality of this investigation is the integration of a methanation process to produce the natural gas of the power plant from the captured CO2. The objective of this first part of the investigation is to simulate a methanation reactor for the production of methane using 1 kg/hr. of captured carbon dioxide containing 95% mol. CO2 and 5% mol. H2O. To reach this goal, Aspen Plus software and the Redlich-Kwong-Soave equation of state with modified Huron-Vidal mixing rules are utilized. Three parameters are considered in order to maximize the production of CH4 production: 1) temperature, varying from 250°C to 300°C, 2) pressure varying between 10 atm to 40 atm and 3) [H2/CO2] ratio which varies between 2 to 6. The maximum production of methane of 0.875 kmol/hr. was obtained for the following operating conditions: [H2/CO2] ratio of 3.5, at relatively low temperature (250°C - 270°C) and high pressures 30 and 40 atm.