Hydrate based gas separation (HBGS) technology for precombustion capture of carbon dioxide

Abstract

Hydrate based separation (HBGS) process is one of the promising new approaches for CO2 separation from fuel gas through gas hydrate formation. The basis for separation is the selective partition of CO2 component of the fuel gas mixture between the hydrate phase and the gas phase upon hydrate formation. Traditional stirred tank reactors cannot be employed for the HBGS process due to slow kinetics and high operating costs required for agitation. The prospects of employing a novel fixed bed reactor for hydrate crystallization is evaluated. Kinetic performance of gas phase and liquid phase promoters were also investigated in the fixed bed reactor. Silica sand and PU foam as porous media in the fixed bed reactor enhances the kinetics of hydrate formation. A four step operation of hydrate based gas separation is proposed.