Abstract:
The Integrated Carbon Capture and Utilization-Reverse Water Gas Shift (ICCU-RWGS) process effectively combines CO2 capture with hydrogenation conversion, making it one of the key technological pathways for reducing industrial carbon emissions and advancing the goal of carbon neutrality. At the core of this process is a calcium-based CO2 sorbent materials, which enable the in-situ conversion of captured CO2 into syngas through hydrogenation. The syngas quality is typically evaluated using the M-value, defined as the molar ratio of H2 to COx. However, current research on the targeted regulation of syngas with different M-value and their compatibility with downstream applications remains relatively limited. This study aims to efficiently produce syngas with an M-value ranging from 2.00 to 2.05 using the ICCU-RWGS technology, thereby providing highly compatible feed gas for downstream processes such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and methanol synthesis. Based on the principle of Gibbs free energy minimization, key operational parameters such as temperature, pressure, and calcium-to-hydrogen molar ratio (Ca:H2) were analyzed and calculated through thermodynamic equilibrium modeling. The influence of H2O during the hydrogenation conversion was also further investigated. Results indicated that the optimal operating conditions were 700 °C, 1 bar, and a Ca:H2 ratio of 1:2. Moreover, the presence of H2O had a negative impact on the hydrogenation performance, leading to a decrease in the COx content of the product gas. Building on these findings, experiments were conducted using natural calcium-based minerals as sorbents, in a fixed-bed reactor coupled with an on-line gas analysis system to evaluate the ICCU-RWGS process. Results indicated that when dolomite was used as the sorbent, syngas with the targeted M-value could be achieved under reaction conditions of 700 °C, 1 bar pressure, and a Ca:H2 ratio of 1:2. These results aligned well with the thermodynamic predictions. Furthermore, the cyclic performance of the ICCU-RWGS process was investigated, and the hydrogenation regeneration time was optimized with the M-value as the guiding criterion. The results showed no significant degradation in performance over 20 cycles, and no evident sintering of the sorbent was observed after cycling, demonstrating excellent structural and cyclic stability. Overall, this study systematically regulates operational parameters within the ICCU-RWGS framework to enhance the molar proportion of COx in the product gas, enabling the production of high-quality syngas tailored to downstream process requirements. This approach contributes to the valorization of CO2 captured from coal-fired flue gas and enhances the economic viability of the ICCU technology. The findings provide both theoretical support and practical guidance for the further industrial application of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) technologies.