Development of Carburization-based Chemical Looping Reforming for Hydrogen Production

Gomes Camacho, Felipe

Development of Carburization-based Chemical Looping Reforming for Hydrogen Production

dc.contributor.advisor	Mahinpey, Nader
dc.contributor.author	Gomes Camacho, Felipe
dc.contributor.committeemember	Benneker, Anne Maria
dc.contributor.committeemember	De la Hoz Siegler, Hector
dc.contributor.committeemember	Van Humbeck, Jeffrey Francis
dc.contributor.committeemember	Patience, Gregory S.
dc.date	2025-05
dc.date.accessioned	2024-05-24T19:04:16Z
dc.date.available	2024-05-24T19:04:16Z
dc.date.issued	2024-05-17
dc.description.abstract	Chemical looping reforming technology is among the most promising technologies for syngas and hydrogen production. The results from the assessments in this thesis has presented strong evidence that hydrogen could be produced at lower carbon emissions (18.6% to 53.4% less CO2(eq) emissions) and less expensive cost of production (33.1% less than SMR 85%CCS). In order to solve problems faced by conventional looping reforming, this thesis investigates the introduction of a new reaction pathway – carburization reactions, redefining the conventional system. Firstly, a proof-of-concept provides the insights into the main concept for the introduction of carburization reactions into a chemical looping reforming system. Showcasing a thermodynamic assessment for nine possible metal carbides highlighting the best evaluated metals as tungsten carbide and zirconium carbide with a possibility of generating a syngas quality (H2/CO ratio) of 9 and 16 respectively, however the zirconium required higher temperatures and could produce nitrides during oxidation stage when using air as oxidation agent. Then, a second study was performed to have a better understanding of the reaction. The outcomes showed the carburization reaction is described as a two-step mechanism. The first is a nucleation Avrami Erofe’ev second order and the second a nucleation power law fourth order. Furthermore, the application of the process requires it to be investigated in a simulated environment by the application of AspenPlus. The focus was to evaluate the system in three different cases each with different up and downstream units. The inputs and outputs were used for a life cycle assessment to evaluate the systems environmental burdens. This study presented a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% and up to 57% when compared to current steam methane technologies, proving that this is a promising technology for future hydrogen applications and energy transition pathway. Lastly, the results from the simulation were used in a techno-economic assessment. The outcomes of the economic analysis showed that, in general, the proposed carburization-based chemical looping reforming leads to a lower capital cost (at least 42.25% reduction to steam methane reforming) and hydrogen production costs that could achieve up to 45.93% cost reduction.
dc.identifier.citation	Gomes Camacho, F. (2024). Development of carburization-based chemical looping reforming for hydrogen production (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/118806
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Hydrogen Production
dc.subject	Reforming
dc.subject	Carburization
dc.subject	Chemical Looping
dc.subject	Kinetics
dc.subject	Life Cycle Assessment
dc.subject	Technoeconomic Assessment
dc.subject.classification	Engineering--Chemical
dc.title	Development of Carburization-based Chemical Looping Reforming for Hydrogen Production
dc.type	doctoral thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Engineering – Chemical & Petroleum
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I require a thesis withhold – I need to delay the release of my thesis due to a patent application, and other reasons outlined in the link above. I have/will need to submit a thesis withhold application.