Integrated Capture and Conversion of CO2 to Methane Using a Water-lean, Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Solvent

Integrated carbon capture and conversion of CO2 into materials ((ICM)-M-3) is an attractive solution to meet global energy demand, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and lower CO2 emissions. Herein, using a water-lean post-combustion capture solvent, [N-(2-ethoxyethyl)-3-morpholinopropan-1-amine] (2-EEMPA), >90 % conversion of captured CO2 to hydrocarbons, mostly methane, is achieved in the presence of a heterogenous Ru catalyst under relatively mild reaction conditions (170 degrees C and <15 bar H-2 pressure). The catalytic performance was better in 2-EEMPA than in aqueous 5 m monoethanol amine (MEA). Operando nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study showed in situ formation of N-formamide intermediate, which underwent further hydrogenation to form methane and other higher hydrocarbons. Technoeconomic analyses (TEA) showed that the proposed integrated process can potentially improve the thermal efficiency by 5 % and reduce the total capital investment and minimum synthetic natural gas (SNG) selling price by 32 % and 12 %, respectively, compared to the conventional Sabatier process, highlighting the energetic and economic benefits of integrated capture and conversion. Methane derived from CO2 and renewable H-2 sources is an attractive fuel, and it has great potential as a renewable hydrogen carrier as an environmentally responsible carbon capture and utilization approach.