Recycle Phase 1
Phase 1 of the RECYCLE project has demonstrated the technical feasibility and opportunity to scale up a new chemical looping technology for syngas generation with inherent CO2 capture. This feasibility study was divided into 4 parts:
Experimental campaign to demonstrate the scientific and technical hypotheses beyond the concept: cumulative >1000 hours of testing different oxygen formulations supplied by Johnson Matthey. Close to relevant industrial conditions in terms of pressure, temperature, gas composition and gas velocity have provided an extensive amount of data used to validate advanced process modelling tools.
Process modelling and simulation: in collaboration with TotalEnergies, the integration of the process and comparison with conventional steam methane reforming with and without CCS have demonstrated the high performance of the technology in terms of energy efficiency, hydrogen yield and improvement of LCA KPIs.
Economic study: An AACE Class 4 estimate study has been carried out by KENT plc to assess the cost of the technology with respect to the conventional steam methane reforming integrated with CCS.
Market study and stakeholder analysis: while the feasibility study has focused on large-scale H2 production (300 MW), the market analysis provided by Element Energy has demonstrated the huge opportunity at different scales, including 1-20 MW capacity to provide heat and energy. In these ranges, RECYCLE technology could develop a positive business case and results more cost-competitive than other technologies that rely on electrification.
In Phase 1 the RECYCLE project was awarded £288,688 by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), to complete an initial feasibility report.