Chemical Looping Combustion of Petcoke Using Two Natural Ores in a 10 kW_th Continuous Pilot Plant: A Performance Comparison

Abstract

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) technology has emerged as one of the most important clean fossil fuel combustion technologies, because it allows for sequestration of CO2 with a minimal increase in energy requirements and fuel demand in comparison to traditional plants. In the framework of the Chinese–European Emission-Reducing Solutions project, the core technology of the CLC process is being developed in a 3 MWth system prototype for demonstration in an operational environment using petcoke as fuel. One of the main objectives is the selection of the oxygen carrier because it will impact the design and sizing of the demonstration unit as well as the nominal power of the unit. Two minerals, ilmenite T1 and LY Mn ore, with high potential for a well-performing oxygen carrier were tested in a 10 kWth continuous pilot unit. The collected fines were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence analysis to characterize the compositional and morphological evolution of the particles during operation. The performance of both oxygen carriers was compared with respect to solid fuel conversion, capacity for oxygen transfer, and particle lifetime in continuous circulation. A higher methane conversion can be obtained using ilmenite, while LY Mn is better at converting petcoke. Where the reduction potential of oxygen carriers is concerned, it was observed that LY Mn ore has a high initial R 0ΔX value (R 0ΔX = 0.8), which leads to a shorter activation period in comparison to ilmenite T1, which requires a longer activation period to reach its full potential. LY Mn ore is however more sensitive to attrition than ilmenite, under similar operating conditions, which is a critical characteristic for large-scale deployment. Finally, key operating parameters were identified for large-scale unit operation, including fuel reactor temperature, oxygen carrier flow rate, and fuel flow rate.

Modeling and Simulation of an Industrial-Scale 525 MWth Petcoke Chemical Looping Combustion Power Plant

“…Processes 2023, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 25 presented in previous works [24][25][26] and in the literature [15,16,30]. Regarding the other unit operations (flue gas cleanup units, steam cycle, etc.…”

“…Numerous studies have focused on the implementation and optimization of solid fuel combustion in the FR [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Zhou et al [27] used the process simulation approach to model both the AR and FR to predict the CLC CO 2 capture rate for various kinds of biomass fuels, and they also studied the influence of reactor temperatures on this capture rate.…”

“…It is important to emphasize that within this global modeling approach, the model of the FR (general modeling principles, reaction paths, conversions, etc.) is based on results presented in previous works [24][25][26] and in the literature [15,16,30]. Regarding the other Processes 2023, 11, 211 3 of 25 unit operations (flue gas cleanup units, steam cycle, etc.…”

2022 Pioneers in Energy Research: Anders Lyngfelt

“…Mei 23 studies the interaction of the oxygen carrier and alkali in chemical looping combustion, in which the alkali metal elements were added to the charcoal by impregnating with K 2 CO 3 or Na 2 CO 3 . Vin 24 provides a performance comparison of two natural ores as oxygen carriers tested in a 10 kW th continuous pilot unit for chemical looping combustion of petcoke.…”