Enabling continuous capture and catalytic conversion of flue gas CO2 to syngas in one process

Abstract

<p> Albeit a variety of available strategies for CO₂ conversion to useful chemicals and fuels, most technologies require relatively pure CO₂, especially without oxygen and water. This requires additional steps of CO₂ capture and purification before its efficient conversion. This necessity increases energy requirement, leading to poorer carbon footprints and higher capital expenditures lowering the viability of overall CO₂ conversion processes. We have developed an effective technology which combines CO₂ capture and conversion processes using isothermal unsteady-state operation and a catalyst consisting of earth-abundant chemical elements (FeCrCu/K/MgO-Al₂O₃). Diluted CO₂ streams common in process flue gases, even containing oxygen and water, can be fed to the process and relatively pure product stream such as syngas, i.e. carbon oxides (CO and CO₂) and hydrogen mixture, can be produced. A possible scheme of reactor integration for continuous CO₂ abatement and conversion based on a two-reactors system is presented.</p>