Novel circulating fluidized bed reactors for NOx reduction and hydrogen production

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Incorporation of ecological principles with the life cycle thinking in the chemical reaction pathway synthesis, product design, process development and industrial system and community planning is the most promising engineering approach in achieving sustainable industrial development. Two of the urgent issues to be addressed in Canada are the improvement of local air quality and the greenhouse gas emission reduction. To meet Canada's Kyoto Accord commitment, more than 35% greenhouse gas emissions needs to be reduced in the next 6 years at a current cost of about $30/tonne carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. On the other hand, the improvement of local air quality, requires the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions which is the primary pollutant responsible for photo-smog formation and is the most costly pollutant to be controlled among all major air pollutants (>$2000/tonne NOx). To reduce CO2 and NOx emissions at an economical way, one needs to consider integrated approaches in which the environmental and health benefits are balanced by the economical interest.      We proposed to develop two novel fluidized bed reactors for catalytic reduction of NOx in oxygen-rich combustion flue gases from both stationary and mobile sources and for in-situ carbon dioxides removal from hydrocarbon steam reforming reactors to improve process efficiency, as well as on conducting a systematic technology evaluation using integrated economical, ecological and social impact assessment tools. The successful development of the novel deNOx technology will contribute to NOx emission control from industrial sources such as power plants, oil refineries, boilers and furnaces, contributing to the improvement of local and regional air quality and thus public health.  The novel hydrogen production technology, on the other hand, will help improving the hydrogen production process efficiency, leading to reduction in CO2 emission, helping Canada to meet its Kyoto commitment.