Session: 13-01: Carbon Capture & Cleaner Fossil Fuel Technologies

Paper Number: 131526

131526 - Thermal Management of Co2 Methanation Integrated With Carbon Capture for Industrial Decarbonization 

Abstract: 

To effectively address the ambitious climate targets established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a crucial imperative lies in the decarbonization of the industrial sector—a substantial contributor to global energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. In the United States, approximately one gigaton (20%) of the nation's total CO₂ emissions arises from heat-related sources. Globally, the industrial sector alone is responsible for a significant 21% (7.5 Gt) of CO₂ emissions. The primary challenge is the swift and cost-effective decarbonization of natural gas combustion, a key heat source, to facilitate the transition to carbon-neutral operations in industrial and building sectors. This study proposes an innovative solution: the utilization of the Sabatier reaction, specifically CO­₂ methanation, to convert CO₂ back into methane. This process not only provides a sustainable means of recycling CO₂ but also facilitates the crucial decarbonization of industrial heat. Notably, the Sabatier reaction aligns seamlessly with the existing natural gas distribution infrastructure – a considerable advantage given its extensive reach, surpassing that of H₂. With over a million miles of natural gas transportation pipes compared to a around thousand miles of H₂ pipes, leveraging established infrastructure proves logistically advantageous. The inherent advantages extend to the exothermic nature of the Sabatier reaction, allowing for the utilization of released heat for carbon capture or water electrolysis, thereby enhancing cost-effectiveness. The proposed approach has the potential to release approximately 3 quads of energy, roughly 3% of the total energy demands of the United States. However, despite these promising aspects, certain challenges must be addressed. These include the necessity for active catalysts at low temperatures and the reaction's sensitivity to variations in temperature and pressure. Effective thermal management emerges as a crucial aspect in addressing these challenges, preventing catalyst deactivation, and optimizing yields in large-scale operations. Given the strong exothermic nature of the Sabatier reaction, it becomes imperative to efficiently remove heat and provide adequate cooling for optimal CO₂ conversion and selectivity. Striking the right balance is paramount, as excessive cooling could lead to lower reaction rates. Therefore, maintaining a precise temperature within a tight operating window becomes critical for the successful optimization of the reactor. In the pursuit of these objectives, this research introduces an experimental demonstration that showcases the incorporation of CO₂ methanation into a carbon capture system characterized by effective thermal control. This integration achieves self-sufficiency in the reaction process, ensuring high conversion rates. Moreover, it harnesses surplus exothermic enthalpy for CO₂ capture purposes, marking a significant stride towards achieving sustainable and efficient industrial decarbonization.

Presenting Author: Malavika Bagepalli Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Malavika Bagepalli is a Rosenfeld Building Science Fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Malavika's research focuses in carbon capture and storage using building materials. Malavika earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, where her research aimed at investigating high temperature granular flows for solar thermal energy transport and storage.

Authors:

Malavika Bagepalli Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Paige Beck Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Kolby Gameros Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Ji Su Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Ravi Prasher Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Sumanjeet Kaur Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory