Pressure swing adsorption for CO2 capture in Fischer-Tropsch fuels production from biomass

Environmental concerns and oil price rises and dependency promoted strong research in alternative fuel sources and vectors. Fischer-Tropsch products are considered a valid alternative to oil derivatives having the advantage of being able to share current infrastructures. As a renewable source of energy, synthesis gas obtained from biomass gasification presents itself as a sustainable alternative. However, prior to hydrocarbon conversion, the bio-syngas must be conditioned, which includes the removal of carbon dioxide for subsequent sequestration and capture. A pressure swing adsorption cycle was developed for the removal and concentration of CO2 from the bio-syngas stream. Activated carbon was chosen as adsorbent. The simulation results showed that it was possible to produce a (H-2 + CO) product with a H-2/CO stoichiometric ratio of 2.14 (suitable as feed stream for the Fischer-Tropsch reactor) and a CO2 product with a purity of 95.18%. A CO2 recovery of 90.3% was obtained. A power consumption of 3.36 MW was achieved, which represents a reduction of about 28% when compared to a Rectisol process with the same recovery.