Single-Pass Demonstration of Integrated Capture and Catalytic Conversion of CO from Simulated Flue Gas to Methanol in a Water-Lean Carbon Capture Solvent.

Here, we demonstrate an integrated semibatch simultaneous CO capture and conversion to methanol process using a water-lean solvent, -(2-ethoxyethyl)-3-morpholinopropan-1-amine (2-EEMPA), that serves as both the capture solvent and subsequent condensed-phase medium for the catalytic hydrogenation of CO. CO is captured from simulated coal-derived flue gas at a target >90 mol % capture efficiency, with a continuous slipstream of CO-rich solvent delivered to a fixed bed catalytic reactor for catalytic hydrogenation. A single-pass conversion rate >60 C-mol % and selectivity >80 C-mol % are observed for methanol at relatively low temperatures (<200 °C) in the condensed phase of the carbon capture solvent.