Progress towards Commercialization of Electrochemical Membrane Technology for CO_2 Capture and Power Generation

摘要

To address the concerns about climate change resulting from emission of CO_2 by coal-fueled power plants, FuelCell Energy, Inc. has developed Combined Electric Power and Carbon-dioxide Separation (CEPACS) system concept, as a novel solution for greenhouse gas emission reduction. The CEPACS system utilizes Electrochemical Membrane (ECM) technology derived from the Company's well established Direct FuelCell~® products. The system concept works as two devices in one: it separates the CO_2 from the exhaust of other plants and simultaneously, using a supplementary fuel, produces electric power at high efficiency. FCE is currently evaluating the use of ECM to cost effectively separate CO_2 from the flue gas of coal fired power plants under a U.S. Department of Energy contract. The overarching objective of the project is to verify that the ECM can achieve at least 90% CO_2 capture from flue gas of a PC plant with no more than 35% increase in the cost of electricity. The specific objectives and related activities presently ongoing for the project include: 1) conduct bench scale tests of ECM and 2) evaluate the effects of impurities present in the coal plant flue gas by laboratory scale performance tests of the membrane.