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SRI International has teamed with Generon IGS, Enerfex, Inc., Electric Power Research Institute, and PBI Performance Products to further develop a high-temperature, membrane-based, pre-combustion carbon capture technology for integrated gasification combined cycle power plants. The separation process utilizes a high-temperature stable polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer to separate coal-derived synthesis gas (syngas) at elevated temperatures (200°C to 250°C) into a hydrogen (H2)-rich permeate stream and a retentate stream that consists mainly of high-pressure carbon dioxide (CO2). The PBI polymer will be fabricated into hollow asymmetric fibers, assembled into membrane modules, and inserted into high-pressure vessels for inclusion in a 50-kilowatt thermal capacity bench-scale unit that will be tested at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC). Short-term and long-duration tests will be performed using a 50-lb/hr syngas stream from the gasifier at NCCC to evaluate membrane stability, H2/CO2 selectivity, and H2 permeance. Collected data will be used to complete design and engineering studies of a full-scale plant incorporating the PBI membrane-based process. A detailed techno-economic analysis will also be completed.
Predecessor Project: FC26-07NT43090
The pre-combustion CO2 capture project will develop a cost-effective technology for removing CO2 from the syngas of existing and new oxygen-fired coal gasifiers, with the CO2 suitable for subsequent storage or as feedstock for a variety of products. The PBI membrane-based separation system increases energy efficiency and reduces operating costs. The resulting project data will be used for further development and to advance the CO2 capture technology toward commercial deployment.
