Assessment of a novel coupling integrated process for coproducing syngas and hydrogen from natural gas and biomass feedstocks with in-situ CO2 utilization

Over the past decade, extraordinary sets of chemical looping process concepts have been introduced based on the need to develop clean and efficient energy systems. Herein, a new integrated coupled process based on chemical looping technology for the coproduction of hydrogen and synthesis gas for multi-purpose goals has been proposed and investigated deeply. The proposed novel process is a dual-purpose integrated zero-emission reforming (DPIZER) process with multifunctionality and zero greenhouse gas emission. Also, energy and exergy analysis were performed on the newly designed unit. In addition, the obtained simulation data were validated with experimental tests. The synthesized 10-30wt.%NiO/Al2O3 oxygen carrier was investigated using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques and evaluated in chemical looping reforming (CLR) and sorption enhanced chemical looping reforming (SECLR) processes. The obtained results revealed that the efficiency of the novel process proposed in this study showed a great improvement than industrial conventional reforming process. The obtained experimental results revealed the highest methane conversion of about 100% and 90% at 750. C in CLR and SECLR reactors, respectively. The simulation results revealed the production of highly pure hydrogen (H-2/CO = 292), syngas (H-2/CO approximate to 1), and ultra-pure hydrogen (H-2/CO = 34,833) in three distinct reactors. In general, the process includes the production of ultrapure hydrogen without producing any pollutants such as CO2 and harmful gases from methane feed and biomass.

Automated summary

This study presents a new integrated coupled process based on chemical looping technology for the coproduction of hydrogen and synthesis gas. The process shows great improvement in efficiency and product purity, as validated by experimental tests and simulation analysis.