Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran

Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran

Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell – An Integration Bridge Between Methanol Production Unit and Thermal Power Plant

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Ahmadreza Zandi 1
Nassim Tahouni 2
M. Hassan Panjeshahi 1
1 Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, I.R.IRAN
2 School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, I.R. IRAN
Abstract
In this study, molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) was used to capture CO2 from the flue gas of a 454 MW natural gas combined cycle power plant and utilize it for methanol production. In addition to capturing CO₂ from the flue gas of the power plant, the MCFC also produces electricity, hydrogen and surplus heat. The results of this research indicated that 45 MCFC are required to produce hydrogen and CO2 needed for the methanol production process. This number of fuel cells, by capturing 103.5 tons per hour of CO2 from the flue gas of the combined cycle power plant, reduces the emission of this gas into the atmosphere by 65%. Additionally, it fully supplies raw materials and electricity required for the methanol production process. The results of energy targeting for the combined cycle power plant and the methanol synthesis process, conducted using pinch analysis tools, demonstrated that the required hot utilities for these two plants are 1871 and 1371 kW, respectively, which is provided entirely through the excess heat produced by the MCFC.
Keywords
CO2 Capture
Molten carbonate fuel cell
Pinch analysis
Methanol production
Electricity generation

Subjects

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