Carbon Capture Research Articles

Optimal operation of CCHP system with duality operation strategy considering hydrogen trading and carbon capture

The combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system, known for its outstanding compatibility performance, has been widely integrated with renewable energy sources such as hydrogen, wind, and photovoltaics, as well as decarbonization technologies in the energy field. However, the increased complexity of CCHP scheduling due to the high proportion of renewable energy sources and load fluctuations leads to negative returns if renewable energy sources are not scheduled reasonably and decarbonization technologies are not utilized. To address this challenge, this study introduced solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) and carbon capture system (CCS) into the CCHP system, and constructed a novel CCHP model considering hydrogen trading and decarbonization technologies. First, for the scheduling of SOEC and CCS, a game model was presented based on hydrogen sales and energy storage benefits. Second, a nudge and compel theory-based scheduling strategy and a duality operation strategy (DOS) considering sources-load fluctuation were proposed. Third, for the optimal energy scheduling problem of CCHP under new strategies and technologies, a novel multi-objective PID-based search algorithm with dynamic disturbance response was introduced. Finally, the proposed new strategies, methods, and models were verified through actual case studies on multiple typical days. The results revealed that, compared with the following electrical load strategy and following thermal load strategies, the DOS reduced costs by 3.03 % and 6.99 %, and emissions by 7.84 % and 1.39 %, respectively. The obtained outcomes contribute to the application and development of clean energy and decarbonization techniques.

Towards a high-rate operation of contact stabilization process: A microscopic view of carbon capture properties

Carbon capture performance is a key factor determining the chemical energy recovery potential of the high-rate contact stabilization (HiCS) process. However, the mechanisms of organic carbon capture are complex, involving surface adsorption, extracellular adsorption, and intracellular storage. A unique characteristic of the HiCS process is its low sludge residence time (SRT). Unfortunately, the influence of SRT on carbon capture has not been thoroughly studied, especially in terms of the underlying mechanisms. In this study, the microscopic changes in carbon capture performance during the transition from a conventional contact stabilized (CS) system to a high-rate mode of operation were demonstrated using intracellular carbon sources, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), signaling molecules, and microbial community assays. The results showed that the extracellular carbon adsorption and intracellular carbon storage performance increased, and the microbial community structure changed significantly with converting the CS system to the high-rate operation mode. The enhancement of extracellular carbon adsorption performance mainly relied on the growth of EPS, which was accomplished by the strong growth of the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial group Cloacibacterium within the HiCS system, offsetting the negative effect produced by the decline of acyl-homoserine lactones. 98 mgCOD/gSS, 343 mgCOD/gSS, and 500 mgCOD/gSS of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) per sludge unit were obtained at SRT-24d, 8d, and 2d, respectively, suggesting that the HiCS system is more advantageous for rapid PHAs production.

Energy transition in the oil and gas sector: Business models for a sustainable future

The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as industries shift towards more sustainable practices, driven by environmental regulations, societal pressure, and technological advancements. The oil and gas sector, traditionally dependent on fossil fuels, is at the forefront of this energy transition. This review explores the evolving business models that facilitate the industry's transition to a low-carbon economy, focusing on strategies for achieving sustainability while maintaining profitability. Key approaches include diversifying energy portfolios by investing in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen, as well as enhancing operational efficiency through digital technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT). The transition is also marked by an increased focus on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, which mitigate the environmental impact of traditional oil and gas operations. Business models are being reshaped to incorporate circular economy principles, where waste and emissions are minimized through innovation and resource optimization. Furthermore, partnerships between oil and gas companies and renewable energy firms are emerging as a critical pathway for mutual growth and sustainability. This energy transition also involves rethinking the workforce and reskilling employees for emerging sectors, emphasizing the need for adaptability in business models. Regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in shaping these models, as policies increasingly favor green investments and low-carbon initiatives. As oil and gas companies diversify their portfolios, they are creating new revenue streams that align with global decarbonization goals while ensuring financial resilience. This study highlights how these innovative business models are setting the foundation for a sustainable future in the oil and gas sector, ensuring that the industry remains relevant in a rapidly changing energy ecosystem. Keywords: Energy Transition, Oil and Gas, Business Models, Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Carbon Capture, Circular Economy, Digital Transformation, Decarbonization, Low-Carbon Economy.

Techno-economic analysis and optimisation of Piperazine-based Post-combustion carbon capture and CO2 compression process for large-scale biomass-fired power plants through simulation

This study aims to investigate a cost-effective and energy-efficient amine-based post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) process for large-scale supercritical biomass-fired power plants (SC BFPP). Thus, we have quantified the energy and economic performance of the PCC process with different configurations and solvents. Three process configurations which included the standard configuration, the absorber intercooler (AIC) with the advanced flash stripper (AFS) and the AIC, AFS and side stream extraction (SSE) were simulated in Aspen Plus® V11 using 30 wt% and 40 wt% piperazine (PZ) as solvent. In addition to this, CO2 compression trains using the heat pump (HP) and supercritical CO2 cycle (s-CO2) were also simulated. Sensitivity analysis of the PCC process was carried out to investigate the impact of important parameters on the energy performance of the process. Furthermore, energy analysis shows that a minimum energy consumption of 2.78 GJ/tCO2 was achieved with the PCC process using 40 wt% PZ, a combination of the AIC, AFS and SSE for capture and s-CO2 for compression. This achieved a significant energy saving of 1.01 GJ/tCO2 compared with the standard PCC process using 30 wt% monoethanolamine that is used as the benchmark in this study. The economic analysis results showed that the minimum CO2 capture cost of 55.70 $/tCO2 was achieved using the AIC-AFS-SSE-sCO2 configuration and 40 wt% PZ as solvent. This represents a 19.5 % reduction in cost compared with the standard 40 wt% PZ process with a cost of 69.18 $/tCO2. The optimisation of the PZ-based PCC process was carried out to determine the optimal solvent concentration with the minimum carbon capture cost. It was found that the optimal PZ concentration for the PCC process based on standard and AFS configurations were 37.5 wt% and 32.5 wt%, respectively. The optimisation of the stripper pressure for the minimum carbon capture cost was conducted. As a result, compared with the standard PCC process using 40 wt% PZ, the energy consumption and CO2 capture cost of the optimised process at the suggested pressure of 7 bar were reduced by 41.6 % and 32.4 %, respectively.

Silica surface modification using cellulose as a renewable organosilane derived from coconut coir fiber for carbon capture

The properties of silica surface modification for carbon capture were studied, utilizing cellulose-amine as a modification agent derived from dissolved coconut coir fiber. To form bonds with NH2 functional groups through amination processes, cellulosic biomass waste is utilized, which is analogous to replacing alkoxy ligands. The dual-function mixture reagents dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) were employed in the same system as the amine sources and solvents. Waterglass is used as a source of silica, and the modified particles are formed using a one-step consecutive sol-gel spray drying process used in a direct condensation route. Changes in the concentration of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) were examined to determine how they affected the essential parameters of the particles. The template is removed during particle formation without further physical or chemical processing. The particle morphology changed from donut-shaped to spherical after SLS application, as evidenced by the increase in SLS concentration. This also shows that the increase in the particle surface area is directly influenced by the increase in the formation of new pore structures with increasing SLS concentration. Through this mechanism, it is possible to extend the pore size distribution to the meso-macropore regime and initiate the formation of new mesopores. This has a direct impact on the capacity to absorb CO2 gas by increasing the cellulose-amine mass fraction that can be grafted to as high as 32.35 %wt. At an operating pressure of 6 bar, a maximum CO2 gas adsorption capacity of 5.32 mmol/g silica was attained by adding SLS 3 CMC to the silica particles. This value is 2.3 times higher than that obtained when using an aminosilane-based modification agent.

Study on the Economic Operation of a 1000 MWe Coal-Fired Power Plant with CO2 Capture

The flexible operation of carbon capture units is crucial for the economic performance of coal-fired power plants equipped with CO2 capture systems. This paper aims to investigate the impact of electricity, CO2, and fuel prices on the economic operation of such plants. A novel economic optimization model is proposed, integrating a static model of the carbon capture system with a particle swarm optimization algorithm. A new concept, the CO2 boundary price, is introduced as a key metric for determining the operating conditions of CO2 capture units. The CO2 boundary price rises when the power load decreases due to the decline in power generation efficiency, and it also increases with rising fuel prices, as the cost of steam for CO2 capture increases. Additionally, when the objective is to meet power load demand, CO2 prices have a great influence on the operation of CO2 capture units, assuming fixed coal and electricity prices. However, when the primary goal is to maximize plant profitability, the system’s operational conditions are strongly influenced by the relative prices of electricity and CO2. The proposed optimization model and the uncovered price-effect mechanisms provide valuable insights into the economic operation of carbon capture power plants.

Networking SiO2-Al2O3 and amines into robust and long-lasting molded sorbents for continuous CO2 capture

Amine sorbents are well-known for their low regeneration energy when compared with aqueous amines, which makes them ideal for highly efficient CO2 capture. However, their commercialization lags behind amine scrubbing, due to the lack of facile and feasible sorbent molding and continuous processing methods. In this work, Amine/SiO2-Al2O3 molded sorbents were successfully built using AlOOH·H2O as a cross-linking binder and SiO2 as a porous material to support a series of amines. The adsorption capacity and mechanical strength were comprehensively considered by optimizing the microstructure of support. Such molded amine sorbents exhibited an adsorption capacity of 1.6 mmol·g−1, which accounts for over 90 % of corresponding powder solid amine sorbents. Moreover, the mechanical strength can reach as high as 2.75 MPa, and the energy consumption is as low as 1.86 GJ/tCO2, meeting the commercial requirement. Furthermore, a continuous two-column CO2 removal system was built to test the long-term performance of molded amine sorbents for continually 100 cycles. The results showed that sorbents remained at 80 % adsorption capacity after 100 cycles in a 20 % H2O/80 % N2 atmosphere, and the strength and structure of SiO2-Al2O3 supports did not change. The excellent performance of the system provides a feasible path to highly efficient and reliable carbon capture, promoting the realization of mitigating the global warming issue for the present.

Industrial-scale 12-layered-bed vacuum pressure swing adsorption for fuel cell-grade H2 production from carbon-captured steam methane reforming syngas

Vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) is primarily used to produce high-purity H2 from CO2-rich syngas in steam methane reforming (SMR) plants. Since carbon capture is essential, the performance of current H2 VPSA processes is affected by feeding carbon-captured SMR syngas (CO2-lean SMR syngas). This study conducted the performance evaluation and optimization for a fuel cell-grade H2 production by an industrial-scale 12-layered-bed VPSA process with a 24-step cycle from CO2-lean SMR syngas. The multi-scale dynamic model for the VPSA process was validated with petrochemical industry data from a current SMR-VPSA plant. A sensitivity analysis using CO2-lean SMR syngas indicated the high loss of H2 during desorption steps, suggesting the need for optimization of the VPSA process. Owing to the complex interconnectivity of 12 beds via 24 steps, the framework of a dynamic model-based deep neural network (DNN) and DNN-based optimization was developed to design and optimize the VPSA process. Even without changing equipment or adsorbent configuration, the VPSA process achieved fuel cell-grade H2 production (>99.9999 % H2 and > 88 % recovery with < 0.2 ppm CO). The results indicate that CO2 capture rates, ranging from 90 to 99 %, can be independently determined under techno-economic and environmental conditions, as this capture range of CO2-lean SMR syngas gives a minor impact on the performance of VPSA process. The proposed three-step framework, which encompasses dynamic modeling, surrogate modeling, and multi-objective optimization, provides a systematic and feasible approach for designing and optimizing the VPSA process in an SMR plant integrated with a carbon capture process, to achieve a low-carbon economy.

Corrosivity of KOH(g) towards superheater materials in a simulated air reactor environment for chemical looping combustion of biomass

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) of biomass has the potential to improve the electrical efficiency in power plants that utilize carbon capture and storage (CCS). This is attributed to the mild corrosive environment anticipated in the air reactor (AR). However, previous studies have measured alkali emissions in the AR, likely in the form of KOH(g), suggesting that alkali may transfer from the fuel reactor (FR) to the AR. To investigate the corrosive effect of KOH(g) release in the AR, a novel experimental set-up was developed to simulate two scenarios for the AR 1) Clean scenario: no release of KOH(g) in the AR (5 % O2 + 3 % H2O + N2 bal.) and 2) Alkali slip scenario: continuous release of KOH(g) in the AR (5 % O2 + 3 % H2O + N2 bal. + 16 ppm KOH(g)). The exposure was carried out at 700 °C and six alloys, relevant as superheater material, ranging from stainless steels to nickel-base (Ni-base) alloys as well as a FeCrAl alloy were investigated. The samples were exposed for a total of 168 h and the morphology of the corrosion products was investigated using SEM-EDX and XRD. The presented results suggest that KOH(g) significantly accelerates the corrosion of the stainless steels and Ni-base alloys investigated, by rapidly destroying the protective Cr-rich oxide scale, resulting in the formation of a multilayer oxide scale with inferior protective properties. On the contrary, the FeCrAl alloy retained a protective Al-rich oxide scale irrespective of the presence of KOH(g). The findings in this study highlight that the release of KOH(g) in the AR during combustion of biomass in CLC could introduce corrosion challenges for installed superheaters that can be significantly mitigated by utilizing FeCrAl alloys.

Comparative energy, emissions and economic assessment of low-carbon iron and steel making processes using imported liquid organic hydrogen carrier options

Hydrogen (H2)-based steel making is expected to become a major driver of intercontinental low-carbon H2 imports. Eight H2 supply scenarios based on either local H2 production at major steel producing locations (Germany/Japan), or liquid H2 carrier (dibenzyltoluene/perhydrodibenzyltiluene, DBT/PDBT) import from the United Arab Emirates, and their integration with H2 direct reduced iron (H-DRI) and electric arc furnace (EAF) processes, are investigated using process modeling. Solar energy-based PDBT import using surplus heat for dehydrogenation is the most cost-competitive H2 import scenario in Germany's case (levelized steel production cost, ∼685 $/tLS, with carbon emissions, ∼237 kgCO2/tLS). In Japan's case this scenario is the most economically favorable of all scenarios (∼736 $/tLS), with emissions (∼350 kgCO2/tLS) comparable to natural gas-DRI-EAF with 50% carbon capture. Steam methane reforming with carbon capture-based PDBT import is neither environmentally nor economically viable. PDBT-based H-DRI-EAF production cost is sensitive to electricity, H2 production, dehydrogenation energy, and carbon costs.

Synthesis of nanoporous carbon from Ulva lactuca activated by eggshell for CO2 capture: a novel approach to waste valorization.

Facing the daunting challenge of climate change, driven by escalating greenhouse gas concentrations, our research introduces an innovative solution for CO2 capture. We explore a novel nanoporous carbon derived from Ulva lactuca, activated with eggshell waste, spotlighting waste valorization in mitigating atmospheric CO2. Through a systematic methodology encompassing variable carbonization temperatures (700-900°C) and nitrogen flow rates (2-4ml/min), complemented by a suite of characterization techniques, we unveil the synthesis of this pioneering adsorbent. Our study not only presents a novel, sustainable pathway for CO2 capture but also demonstrates superior performance, particularly with the NC800-4 sample, achieving a CO2 capture capacity of 1.40mmol/g at 30°C, alongside demonstrating consistent adsorption efficiency over four successive adsorption/desorption cycles. This breakthrough underscores the potential of leveraging waste for environmental remediation, offering a dual solution to waste management and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) applications.

A simulation-based techno-economic-safety-social-environmental decision-making framework for prioritizing plastic waste treatment processes

Chemical recycling technologies hold promising potential in converting mixed plastic waste into energy and chemicals. This study proposed a simulation-based quantitative life cycle sustainability assessment framework for the potential plastic waste valorization processes. Sustainability metrics including environment, economy, safety, society, and energy were quantified and comprehensively investigated. Based on the Bayesian best-worst weighting and vector-based ranking methods, the normalized and weighted life cycle sustainability scores were used to prioritize the best process. Gasification-based technology was found superior than incineration-based technology, especially in the economic, techno-energetic, and social aspects. However, incinerated-based process with direct CO2 emissions performed better in the environmental aspects compared with the process integrating with carbon capture and utilization unit. Additional environmental burdens were brought to the system when incorporating the carbon capture and methanol synthesis process. Increased system complexity might bring unexpected environmental burdens, and sometimes even outweighed the benefits. Various weights were assigned to the multi-criteria decision-making model, and the gasification-based process consistently ranked first across all scenarios.

CCU-Llama: A Knowledge Extraction LLM for Carbon Capture and Utilization by Mining Scientific Literature Data

CCU-Llama: A Knowledge Extraction LLM for Carbon Capture and Utilization by Mining Scientific Literature Data

Ash Interaction with Two Cu-Based Magnetic Oxygen Carriers during Biomass Combustion by the Chemical Looping with Oxygen Uncoupling Process.

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) stands out as a promising method for carbon capture and storage for the purpose of mitigating climate change. The process involves the conversion of fuel facilitated by an oxygen carrier, with the resulting CO2 inherently separated from other air components. Notably, when applied to biomass combustion this process offers a pathway to achieving negative CO2 emissions. However, a significant challenge for CLC, particularly in its application to biomass, is the management of interactions between ash and oxygen carriers. Biomass-derived ashes typically contain substantial quantities of reactive ash-forming substances, such as alkaline and alkali earth elements. These interactions can impact the performance and longevity of the oxygen carrier, necessitating careful consideration and mitigation strategies in CLC systems utilizing biomass feedstocks. This study examined the interaction between biomass ash components and two recently developed oxygen carriers, Cu30MnFekao7.5 and Cu30MnFe, during combustion in a 1.5 kWth continuous unit. Both oxygen carriers achieved 100% combustion efficiency and a CO2 capture efficiency of 95% at 900 °C. Although the copper in both oxygen carriers did not exhibit any noticeable interaction with ash components, the accumulative presence of potassium and magnesium in Cu30MnFekao7.5 was identified by inductively coupled plasma and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, indicating an increase in the amount of both elements in the particles after combustion operation. No problems of agglomeration or fluidization were observed in any of the experiments.

Advancements in Green Chemical Engineering: Developing Sustainable Catalysts for Carbon Capture and Utilization

The development of sustainable catalysts for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) represents a pivotal advancement in green chemical engineering, addressing both climate change and resource scarcity. This study utilizes a qualitative approach, specifically employing literature review and library research methods, to analyze recent advancements in catalyst development for CCU technologies. The analysis highlights the growing emphasis on designing catalysts that are not only efficient but also eco-friendly, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. By examining various catalytic processes, including chemical absorption, photocatalysis, and electrochemical reduction, this research identifies key strategies for enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of CCU systems. The findings reveal that while significant progress has been made in improving catalyst performance, challenges remain in scaling up these technologies for industrial applications. Moreover, this study underscores the role of green chemical engineering in fostering a circular economy by converting captured carbon dioxide into valuable products such as fuels and chemicals. Future research should focus on overcoming existing limitations, including catalyst stability and cost-effectiveness, to ensure broader adoption of sustainable CCU technologies. This review contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable chemical processes and offers a roadmap for advancing green engineering practices.

Assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of construction materials: Insights from environmental product declarations

Construction activities significantly impact natural resources and the environment, accounting for 40 % of global energy consumption and 36 % of carbon emissions. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of various primary construction materials by leveraging more original and comprehensive Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and incorporates insights from prevvious research to summarize effective mitigation strategies. Analyzing the environmental impact per unit mass is a critical step toward building-level assessments, enabling the strategic replacement of high-pollution materials with lower-impact alternatives to optimize environmental outcomes. The quantitative analysis of data from 180 EPDs indicates that aluminum and steel have the highest median total environmental impacts per unit mass, followed by plastics, while wood, cement, and concrete have relatively lower impacts. Overall, Abiotic Depletion Potential (ADP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) are identified as the primary environmental impacts of construction materials. At the building level, the environmental footprint varies based on the quantity of each material used, leading to substantial overall impacts. Furthermore, this study explores the relationships between different environmental impacts, finding positive correlations between GWP and Primary Energy Non-Renewable Energy (PENRE), Acidification Potential (AP), and Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP). A comprehensive literature review identifies the key environmental hotspots and mitigation strategies for high-impact materials such as aluminum, steel, cement, and concrete. Common strategies include innovative production methods, waste recycling, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and the development of low-carbon materials. By integrating quantitative EPDs analysis with a qualitative literature review, this research provides a holistic understanding of the environmental burdens of construction materials, offering a valuable framework for developing sustainable policies and practices within the construction industry.

CeO2 enhanced performance of NiFe2O4-CaO for carbon capture and in-situ hydrogenation conversion to CO

NiFe2O4 exhibits excellent redox properties and is widely applied in CaO-NiFe2O4 chemical looping processes. However, rapid sintering of Ni-Fe alloy under reaction conditions limited its industrial applications. The CeO2-NiFe-CaO were synthesized through a physical mixing method with NiFe2O4 as a precursor, and its CO2 capture capacity and in-situ hydrogenation performance were conducted on ICCC-RWGS reaction under different conditions. 20CeO2-NiFe-CaO exhibited a CO yielding of 9.35 mmol/g at 650 °C. During the carbon capture stage, CO2 was adsorbed by CaO, leading to the formation of CaCO3. In the hydrogenation conversion stage, hydroxyl groups were generated on the surface, combining with CaCO3 to produce formate species, further generating H2O and CO. 15CNF-CaO exhibited superior cyclic ICCC-RWGS reaction performance compared to 15NF-CaO, with a CO yield of 1.88 mmol/g after 40 cycles. CeO2 inhibited the sintering of catalytic components, preserving a higher specific surface area and smaller particle size. Furthermore, CeO2 in 15CNF-CaO inhibited carbon deposition and enhanced in-situ hydrogenation performance, exhibiting better CaO regeneration capability and better cyclic stability. These results could provide insight for designing the DFMs for the ICCC-RWGS process.

CO2 absorption performance of biogas slurry enhanced by biochar as a potential solvent in once-through CO2 chemical absorption process

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), offers a promising avenue for mitigating CO2 emissions, in which the big challenge is the high CO2 capture cost. A novel CCUS technology called once-through CO2 chemical absorption using biogas slurry, could potentially reduce the CO2 capture cost through decreasing the energy consumption greatly during CO2 capture. This technology, however, is constrained by the CO2 absorption capacity of biogas slurry. To enhance the CO2 capture capacity of this innovative technology, we proposed a method to enhance CO2 absorption by integrating biochar into biogas slurry. Results indicated that the CO2 absorption capacity of biogas slurry improved by biochar varied with the type of biochar adopted. Among all the investigated biochar, the wood biochar like sea buckthorn and sand willow exhibited the lowest CO2 capture enhancement, with 0.82±0.19 mmol/g and 0.81±0.30 mmol/g, respectively. Biochar from C4 plants like corn stalks and cobs demonstrated the highest enhancement, with 2.11±0.24 mmol/g and 2.47±0.86 mmol/g, respectively. The enhancement driven by C3 plant biochar like millet stalks and shells was intermediate, with 1.62±0.47 mmol/g and 1.62±0.46 mmol/g, respectively. The primary factor for promoting CO2 absorption in the biochar-based biogas slurry was the increase in pH of biogas slurry. The total pore volume of biochar was the principal material property that enhanced CO2 absorption, followed by the EC and BET surface areas of biochar. Increasing the carbonization temperature of biochar could also enhance the CO2 absorption capacity by biogas slurry. In CO2-rich biochar-based biogas slurry, CO2 primarily existed as HCO3− and carbamate. However, for the influence of the biochar's pore structure, CO2 in the CO2-rich biochar-based biogas slurry was more stable than that in CO2-rich biogas slurry.

An efficient carbon-neutral power and methanol polygeneration system based on biomass decarbonization and CO2 hydrogenation: Thermodynamic and economic analysis

This study presents a novel approach to enhance methanol synthesis (MS) efficiency through integration with an MEA-based decarbonized biomass direct-fired power plant (BFPP-CCS). The integration optimizes the utilization of chemical energy from feedstocks by combining exothermic MS reactions with diverse thermal energies, which effectively captures chemical energy through synergistic utilization from MS and various thermal inputs. Gradual methanol conversion maximizes both its chemical and fuel properties. Through such integration, the enhancement of waste heat and purge gas utilization in MS and BFPP carbon capture processes results in a 3.42 MW improvement in power generation and a 26.0 % reduction in associated energy penalties from CCS. Analysis of a 150 kton/yr MS facility and a 35 MW BFPP-CCS demonstrates 2.87 % increase in overall efficiency and reduction in CCS heat consumption by 1.03 GJ/tCO2. Moreover, this integrated approach yields a 33.1 M$ NPV increase and 3.4 years DPP decrease, achieving carbon-neutral power and liquid fuels production. Sensitivity analysis indicates the polygeneration system performs optimally around 250 °C and 60 bar, with a preference for 0.90 MS recycle ratio. Additionally, factors such as carbon recovery rate, electrolysis efficiency, and fixed carbon content in biomass are quantitatively revealed as crucial for maximizing carbon mitigation potential.

Towards sustainable hydrogen production: Integrating electrified and convective steam reformer with carbon capture and storage

This work reports the design of a process for hydrogen production based on electrified steam methane reforming (e-SMR) coupled with a convective reforming (convective SMR) and carbon capture and storage (CCS) as an alternative to conventional fuel-fired reforming to reduce natural gas (NG) consumption as well as carbon dioxide emissions. The energy required by the reforming reaction is supplied by direct electric heating instead of burning fossil fuel in the radiant section of a furnace, saving 35 % NG and reducing CO2 emission by 29 %. Implementing convective SMR reduces the electric load of the main e-SMR reactor and ensures a slightly higher thermal efficiency (80.2 %) compared to conventional fuel-fired reforming (78.9 %). Further CO2 emissions (85 %) and NG consumption reduction (50 %) are possible by adopting amine-based CO2 capture. If coupled with an energy integration scheme, it is possible to capture 75 % of the CO2 produced, preserving high energy efficiency (79.4 %). This requires only a 14 % increase in capital costs, which is strongly beneficial compared to applying CO2 capture to flue gases of the fuel-fired reforming (69.8 % efficiency and 80 % more capital costs).The process based on e-SMR coupled with convective SMR and CO2 capture ensures a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of 0.281 € Nm−3 H2, which is much lower than the conventional fuel-fired reforming with CO2 capture applied to flue gases (0.309 € Nm−3 H2). Moreover, it has comparable CO2 emissions (1.59 vs 0.99 kg CO2 emitted kg−1 H2) but produces lower CO2 (6.39 vs 9.88 CO2 produced kg−1 H2) compared to fuel-fired reforming due to using renewable electricity as energy source for the SMR. Compared to conventional fuel-fired reforming, the same process provides similar LCOH (0.283 vs 0.282 € Nm−3 H2) but with drastically lower CO2 emissions (1.59 vs 8.99 kg CO2 emitted kg−1 H2).