Development and Particle Scale Modeling of Metal Oxide Oxygen Carriers in Chemical Looping Applications

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) effects and environmental warming due to CO2 emissions have been considered as the main drivers for climate change. Development of near-term reactor and process engineering solutions by combining fossil fuel based energy production with cost effective and energy-efficient carbon capture are of significant importance to address the challenge of environmental protection and energy sustainability. An Advanced combustion concept called Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) arose as a bridging technology for clean fuel combustion in energy production with inherent CO2 capture, while standing out as prospective cost-effective and efficient alternative. CLC relies on the use of an oxygen carrier (OC) to transfer oxygen to the fuel source. The choice of OC is often crucial to the application, making the carrier an essential component in the success of the technology. Herein, a protocol is presented to determine oxygen carrier viability in CLC systems that utilize circulating fluidized bed designs. Key physical and reaction properties are discussed for a designed OC candidate. CuFeAlO4, copper-ferri-aluminate, was shown to be viable for advancement to pilot scale testing and a promising candidate that could withstand the harsh conditions of CLC.

Novel Process for Production of H2-Rich Nitrogen-Free Syngas from Coal Using a Cu/Fe-Alumina Catalyst and Steam

“…Iron-based oxygen carriers have shown promising results for CL gasification. , CaSO 4 has also been used as a CL oxygen carrier showing improved gasification. , Bi metallic oxygen carrier consisting of Cu–Fe has performed well for CL gasification . We have previously reported a Ca ferrite-based oxygen carrier with promising results for CL coal gasification. − The process we are reporting here involves a fluidized bed catalyst that operates in a single reactor, which is different from the two reactor-oxygen carrier process.…”