RECYCLE is a UK government funded project to produce low carbon H2 for industrial processes. The key objective of RECYCLE is demonstrating an enhanced auto-thermal reforming process for cost-effective production of H2 with a CO2 capture rate of 99%. RECYCLE utilises a high-pressure chemical looping process using three dynamically operated packed bed reactors which undergo oxidation, reduction and CH4 reforming stages. The oxidation stream consists of atmospheric air that is compressed and heated. Off gases from downstream processes are used for the reduction stage. Natural gas taken from the grid mixed with vaporised deionized water is supplied as feed gas for the reforming stage. This produces low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen from natural gas and/or bio-based feedstock. A demonstration plant has been designed using 2m long, 0.13m ID chemical looping reactors that hold up to 20 kg of oxygen carrier. These reactors can operate at 900°C and 30 bara. They are jacketed to limit heat losses. Each reactor has an associated syngas cooler to allow low-temperature valving. The syngas produced is then passed through a WGS and PSA unit to obtain H2 with a purity greater than 99.9%. The engineering of this unit will be presented. The layout of the fully-integrated plant has been produced. The plant is installed in the James Chadwick Building at the University of Manchester. The final step of the project will be to run the process for 500 hours, producing 20 kWLHV of H2. The envisioned experimental campaign and key case studies are discussed.
107 Tunnel Mountain Dr
Banff AB T1L 1H5
Canada