Process intensification during power generation via membrane-based reactive separations

A novel technology, termed the “one-box” process, has been proposed in order to economically produce pure hydrogen from coal/biomass gasification for use during power generation. The heart of the process is a catalytic membrane reactor (MR) making use of carbon molecular sieve membranes (CMSM). The MR also incorporates a sulfur-resistant Co/Mo/Al2O3 catalyst. Experimental studies have been carried out in the laboratory to determine the catalytic reaction kinetics, membrane characteristics, and the MR performance. These are coupled with extensive field-testing of commercial-scale CMSM modules in the real coal/biomass gasification environment, which are conducted at the US National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) coal gasification facility. Testing of the “one-box” process is also currently under way in the same NCCC facility, and the findings will be presented during the meeting.