Abstract

Combined reforming of chemical looping combustion products: A thermodynamic analysis

Author(s): Ganesh R.Kale, Swapnil S.Sonar

Existing energy generation processes emit CO2 gas that is posing a serious problem of global warming and climate change. Chemical looping combustion (CLC) coupled combined reforming (CR) is an innovative way for clean energy generation and syngas production. A thermodynamic analysis of CR of propane was done using Gibbs free minimization routine ofHSC Chemistry 5.1. The product streamof CLCreactor (mainlyCO2 and H2O) wasmixed with additional propane with/without oxygen (air) at 1 bar pressure in the CR reactor and the product & byproduct yields with CO2 and H2O conversions was found within the temperature range 450–950 ºC. The objective of the paper is to identify the thermodynamic domain of the process operation, study the variation of product distribution pattern and describe the optimum conditions to maximize the yields of desired products with minimum undesired product formation. It was found that higher CO2 conversion to syngas would require higher energy from the CLC reactor. Operation of the CR reactor at oxygen to carbon in propane ratio 0.2 above 650 ºC was identified as the best operating point that gave a good balance of CO2 conversion, enthalpy requirements and syngas generation with zero carbon and low methane formation. These calculations were done for propane fuel and can also be used for other fuels.