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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/I010955/1
Title The Next Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbents for the Pre-Combustion Capture of CO2
Status Completed
Energy Categories Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Coal, Coal combustion) 10%;
Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(CO2 Capture and Storage, CO2 capture/separation) 90%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 25%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 25%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Chemical Engineering) 25%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 25%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Professor C (Colin ) Snape
No email address given
Chemical and Environmental Engineering
University of Nottingham
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 March 2011
End Date 30 June 2014
Duration 40 months
Total Grant Value £694,040
Industrial Sectors Energy
Region East Midlands
Programme Energy : Energy
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Professor C (Colin ) Snape , Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham (99.995%)
  Other Investigator Prof J (Jihong ) Wang , School of Engineering, University of Warwick (0.001%)
Dr H Liu , Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham (0.001%)
Dr J Wood , Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham (0.001%)
Professor ZX (Zheng Xiao ) Guo , Chemistry, University College London (0.001%)
Dr T Drage , Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , Corus (0.000%)
Project Contact , Babcock International Group plc (0.000%)
Project Contact , Emerson Process Management Ltd (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract The vision of the proposed research is "to develop activated carbon adsorbents and system models to improve the efficiency, flexibility and operability of IGCC processes". Novel activated carbon (AC) adsorbents prepared from resin precursors have the ability to be tailored to control both their CO2 adsorption capacity and isotherm shape. As a result, they offer significant advantages over solvent-based systems for the pre-combustion capture of CO2 in integrated combined cycle gasification (IGCC) processes in terms of cost and flexibility.The research will focus on gaining a fundamental understanding of how the porosity and surface functionality of resin-derived carbons, both in bead and monolith forms, controls their CO2 adsorption under actual process conditions in the presence of moisture and other gases. It is likely to achieve high CO2 removals in IGCC, more than one bed will be needed operating at different pressures. As a result adsorbents displaying high uptakes at low partial pressures (<5 bar) of CO2 will also be investigated. Indeed adsorbents displaying high uptakes at low partial pressures will also find applications in post-combustion capture and selectively removing CO2 from blast furnace gas during iron making. In parallel, the project will also consider how the unique performance of the AC sorbents for CO2 capture will improve the operability of IGCC power plants. Comparisons of emissions, resource requirements and costs with varying levels on CO2 removal via adsorption will be made on a systematic basis allowing different design options and control strategies to be devised, in order to minimise the effects of CO2 capture upon the overall process efficiency. In the research programme, the results from the first theme on the efficacy of the various ACs will be used as the design basis in the second theme on modelling the performance of IGCC plants.The proposal brings the balanced expertise together from five academic institutes to increase our understanding of AC adsorbents for pre-combustion capture and how they will improve the operability and flexibility of IGCC plants. The internationally recognized capability for CO2 adsorbents and power plant control at Nottingham and Birmingham and the complementary stengths of the Institute Coal Chemistry (ICC) and Tsinghau Univeristy make it logical for the partners to combine their strengths to address more effective capture of CO2 in IGCC and the implications of this on overall plant operation. Regarding the Chinese partners, Tsinghua have studied the IGCC process for over 10 years and they have developed the first complete simplified IGCC dynamical mathematical model and simulation program). ICC CAS have been involved in may aspects of gasification and are already working with the UoN on active carbons for post-combustion capture (ICUK award). In relation to the Call, this proposal addresses both:(i) New technologies based on material advances(ii) Modelling and simulation and of capture plants employing the advanced material
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 15/12/10