(197b) Synfuel Production in a Carbon Constrained Scenario Using the Calcium Looping Process

The increasing energy demand and the necessity for energy independence have brought coal to liquid (CTL) technologies, which have the capability of near term implementation due to their compatibility with the existing infrastructure, to the forefront. Currently, the indirect production of coal derived liquid fuels is through the coal gasification and Fischer Tropsch (FT) process. It has been estimated that the carbon foot print of the coal to liquids process is at least 150 ? 175% higher than petroleum based fuels. By the implementation of carbon capture and sequestration, the life cycle CO2 emissions for the coal to liquids process can be reduced by 20% compared to conventional fuel.

The Calcium Looping Process (CLP) is capable of producing a sequestration ready CO2 stream by capturing all the CO2 emitted during the coal to liquids process. In addition to achieving carbon capture, the CLP improves the efficiency of the coal to liquids process by conversion of the Fischer Tropsch reactor's off gases to hydrogen which is used to adjust the H2:CO ratio of the FT feed and for the product upgrader. The CLP integrates the reforming of hydrocarbons, water gas shift (WGS) reaction and in-situ carbon dioxide (CO2) removal at high temperatures in a single reactor and reduces the overall foot print of the hydrogen production process. The exothermic carbonation and WGSR convert the highly endothermic reforming of hydrocarbons into a heat neutral process thus simplifying the reforming process and reducing the temperature of reforming from >900C to 650C. In this paper, the reaction chemistry, thermodynamics, lab and bench scale experimental studies, process intensification strategies and energy conversion efficiencies will be presented.