Continuing development of regenerable sorbents for fluidized-bed combustion. Semiannual technical progress report No. 2, April 1-September 30, 1980

Abstract

Our efforts were directed primarily to preparation for and/the initial operation of the laboratory-scale hot fluidized bed test system (LSHFB). The initial test sequence in the LSHFB system was performed with a fixed-bed of 100 grams of barium titanate synthetic sorbent. The sorbent bed was alternately sulfated and regenerated five times. Sulfation was accomplished at 900/sup 0/C, with a synthetic flue gas mixture comprising 10.1% CO/sub 2/, 4.95% O/sub 2/, 0.2435% SO/sub 2/ and 84.7% N/sub 2/. Regeneration was performed at 1025/sup 0/C with a gas containing 8.0% CO and 92.0% N/sub 2/. After an initial drop in sulfation performance after the first sulfation/regeneration cycle, performance held steady, or was shown to be improving, during the succeeding four cycles. Although the initial operation of this system proceeded relatively smoothly, the reactor was found to have been irreparably damaged by the end of the initial test sequence. A new reactor was subsequently designed, fabricated, and installed in the unit. Concurrently, sorbent pellet preparation by extrusion was investigated in the Catalyst Preparation Facility at the Baton Rouge Laboratory of Exxon Research and Engineering Company. Preparation of sorbent pellets for use in the LSHFB operation was continued on a laboratory-scale at Linden throughout the reporting period. Cost and time estimates were prepared for operation of the bench-scale fluidized bed coal combustion and regeneration facilities, including preparation of the requisite volumes of synthetic sorbent pellets needed for that program.