Application of the Sorption Enhanced-Steam Reforming process in combined cycle-based power plants

Abstract

Sorption Enhanced-Steam Methane Reforming (SE-SMR) is a promising process which allows producing in a single reactor a hydrogen-rich syngas from natural gas, while capturing the CO2 by reaction with a solid sorbent. Scope of this paper is to investigate the potentiality of the SE-SMR process coupled to a combined cycle, by estimating the plant performance and by discussing the main issues related to plant layout and reactors characteristics. The calculated net efficiency and carbon capture ratio are comparable with that obtained for a competitive technology based on Auto-thermal Reforming (ATR), but advantages could result from the higher plant simplicity and lower plant cost.