Concentrating
solar power (CSP) technologies with energy storage
can greatly enhance the dispatchability and the exploitation of solar
energy in different applications. In this context, the present study
addresses coupling CSP with calcium looping (CaL) along the 2-fold
perspective of accomplishing: (a) carbon capture and sequestration
or utilization (CCSU); (b) thermochemical energy storage (TCES). The
experimental campaign, aimed at assessing limestone performances over
extended cycling under realistic operating conditions, was performed
in a fluidized bed reactor directly irradiated by a simulator of concentrated
solar radiation. Infrared thermography was used to map the fluidized
bed surface during “solar-driven” calcination. Experimental
results indicated that TCES operating conditions yield a more reactive
material due to the development of better microstructural properties,
as inferred from N2- and Hg-intrusion porosimetry, which
reflect the different thermal history experienced by sorbent material.
Working out of process variables in terms of density of energy storage
revealed that the CSP-CaL integrated process can represent an attractive
alternative option to commercial technologies based on molten salts.
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