As a result of human activity, approximately 7 Gt of carbon are emitted to the earth's atmosphere each year. A large portion of this carbon is in the form of gaseous CO2, and approximately 30% of this CO2 comes from fossil fuel power plants. In addition to rising levels of atmospheric CO2, the earth's temperature is increasing. Since CO2 can act as a trap for heat (similar to the glass in a greenhouse), reduction of CO2 emissions is an important area of research. Separation and sequestration of CO2 are near‐term goals for emissions reduction. Better fuel efficiency (in power production, transportation, and other areas) can be considered a mid‐term goal. An acceptable long‐term goal for reducing emissions is using alternate power sources such as nuclear, solar, and wind power. Because separation and sequestration are short‐term goals, they are critical and challenging steps for researchers. Methods that are reviewed in this paper include absorption using solvents or solid sorbents, pressure‐ and t...

Separation of CO2 from Flue Gas: A Review

The recent advances in the development of heterogeneous catalysts and processes for the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to formate/formic acid, methanol, and dimethyl ether are thoroughly reviewed, with special emphasis on thermodynamics and catalyst design considerations. After introducing the main motivation for the development of such processes, we first summarize the most important aspects of CO2 capture and green routes to produce H2. Once the scene in terms of feedstocks is introduced, we carefully summarize the state of the art in the development of heterogeneous catalysts for these important hydrogenation reactions. Finally, in an attempt to give an order of magnitude regarding CO2 valorization, we critically assess economical aspects of the production of methanol and DME and outline future research and development directions.

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Challenges in the Greener Production of Formates/Formic Acid, Methanol, and DME by Heterogeneously Catalyzed CO2 Hydrogenation Processes.

This review provides a comprehensive assessment of recently improved carbon dioxide (CO2) separation and capture systems, used in power plants and other industrial processes. Different approaches for CO2 capture are pre-combustion, post-combustion capture, and oxy-combustion systems, which are reviewed, along with their advantages and disadvantages. New technologies and prospective “breakthrough technologies”, for instance: novel solvents, sorbents, and membranes for gas separation are examined. Other technologies including chemical looping technology (reaction between metal oxides and fuels, creating metal particles, carbon dioxide, and water vapor) and cryogenic separation processes (based on different phase change temperatures for various gases to separate them) are reviewed as well. Furthermore, the major CO2 separation technologies, such as absorption (using a liquid solvent to absorb the CO2), adsorption (using solid materials with surface affinity to CO2 molecules), and membranes (using a thin film to selectively permeate gases) are extensively discussed, though issues and technologies related to CO2 transport and storage are not considered in this paper.

Review of recent advances in carbon dioxide separation and capture

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Low-bond axisymmetric drop shape analysis for surface tension and contact angle measurements of sessile drops

Inorganic membranes for hydrogen production and purification: A critical review and perspective

Water gas shift membrane reactor for CO2 control in IGCC systems: techno-economic feasibility study

Combined cycle power plant with integrated coal gasification, CO shift and CO2 washing

The role of IGCC in CO2 abatement

In view of the paramount goal to reduce CO 2 emissions, use of the world's vast coal reserves and of increasing quantities of opportunity fuels such as refinery residues for environmentally benign power generation in plants with the highest possible efficiencies is a top priority. More than twenty IGCC power stations have already been built or are under construction worldwide with power output between 40 and 550 MW. This type of plant stands out due to its excellent performance in terms of efficiency and environmental impact and is therefore best suited to producing affordable and clean power with those dirty fuels. This contribution reports the growing operational experience gained in three of the large-scale European IGCC power stations which are all equipped with Siemens gas turbines: the Demkolec plant in Buggenum, Netherlands, is just in the third year of successful commercial operation, the Elcogas plant in Puertollano, Spain, is in the advanced commissioning phase on syngas, and also the ISAB plant in Priolo, Italy, has in the meantime begun operation on syngas. In the mid-term future, IGCC power plants will definitely achieve efficiencies of more than 50 % even when based on state-of-the-art power plant components and gas cleaning processes. Furthermore, it is of particular interest that gasification and gas cleaning act as an extremely effective filter for all the contaminants harmful to gas turbine blading and the environment. Polygeneration, i.e. simultaneously producing power and process heat as well as chemicals such as hydrogen, methanol and ammonia, is another important option unique to IGCC technology. The commercial breakthrough, however, is expected to be supported first by refinery-related applications where efficiency is not the key factor. Which position IGCC plants can ultimately achieve in the future liberalized electricity market, strongly depends on the extent to which the requirements of power producers can be met.

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights the results of two comprehensive studies on CO 2 reduction measures using integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology. In view of recent and future developments in the field of IGCC power plants expressed by increasing overall efficiencies, a significant reduction in CO 2 emissions becomes possible solely by replacing old and low-efficient pulverized-coal-fired (PCF) power stations with advanced IGCC plants. If CO 2 emission has to be reduced by 60 or even 80 % and coal has to be used under such circumstances, an extensive separation of CO 2 from the power plant process could be of increasing importance as an option. However, any CO 2 removal measure will unavoidably and significantly reduce the station efficiency and power output. It deals with reduced CO 2 production by efficient use of energy resulting in an advanced coal-based IGCC concept with 51.5 % net efficiency (LHV). The chapter also provides IGCC solutions to reduce the CO 2 emission to the atmosphere via CO shift and CO 2 separation followed by coproduction of methanol/synthetic gasoline as an interim disposal option. An economic analysis ends up with acceptable 6 % points efficiency loss due to CO 2 removal and production costs for the liquid transportation fuels around present gasoline market prices including tax.

G. Haupt

Papers

Water gas shift membrane reactor for CO2 control in IGCC systems: techno-economic feasibility study

Combined cycle power plant with integrated coal gasification, CO shift and CO2 washing

The role of IGCC in CO2 abatement

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants

IGCC — The Best Choice for Producing Low-CO2 Power