Production of hydrogen and removal and sequestration of carbon dioxide from coal-fired furnaces and boilers
First Claim
1. A method for incrementally reducing, and subsequently eliminating by sequestration, the emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of solid fossil fuels, in energy systems that contain components including one or more of furnaces, boilers, and heat engines, comprising:
- changing the processes by which said fuels are gasified and burned so as to produce hydrogen; and
eliminating one or more other gaseous species selected from the group consisting of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile trace metals, mercury, and dioxins and furans that are emitted during the operation of said energy systems.
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Abstract
Methods for reducing and eliminating carbon dioxide from the emissions of solid fuel fired power plants, particularly coal fired power plants, and to sequester the carbon dioxide, typically by using existing equipment. In some embodiments, the methods involve pyrolyzing the solid fuel to remove volatile matter and using the volatile matter to produce hydrogen. Additionally, the methods may involve burning the solid fuel or pyrolized solid fuel at very fuel rich stoichiometric conditions. Sequestration may include the production of a carbon dioxide-containing solution and the pumping of the solution into the ground, particularly in areas high in limestone.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for incrementally reducing, and subsequently eliminating by sequestration, the emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of solid fossil fuels, in energy systems that contain components including one or more of furnaces, boilers, and heat engines, comprising:
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changing the processes by which said fuels are gasified and burned so as to produce hydrogen; and
eliminating one or more other gaseous species selected from the group consisting of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile trace metals, mercury, and dioxins and furans that are emitted during the operation of said energy systems. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A method for increasing the electric power output of an existing coal fired power plant by replacing existing pulverized coal fuel with crushed or pulverized char fuel using either existing burners or retrofitting a boiler of the existing coal fired power plant with air-cooled slagging combustors.
Specification