In-Situ Capture of CO2 in a Fluidized Bed Combustor

Abstract

Increasing atmospheric concentration of CO2 and concern over its effect on climate is a powerful driving force for the development of new advanced energy cycles incorporating CO2 capture. This paper investigates the feasibility of CO2 capture using the carbonation reaction of CaO “in situ” in a fluidised bed combustor, where natural gas or petroleum coke (or any other fuel with low ash content) is being burned. The sorbent can be partially regenerated for CO2 capture by combustion of part of the fuel with O2/CO2 in a separate FBC. The thermodynamic limits in the proposed cycles, in terms of CO2 capture efficiencies, are examined along with the limits imposed by the rapid decay in the sorbent activity during repeated carbonation/calcination cycles, which will be exacerbated by the presence of S. Despite these limitations, it is shown that operating windows exist where it is possible to integrate fuel combustion, CO2 and SO2 capture in a single dual reactor facility. The decay in activity in the sorbent appears to be the major practical limitation to this concept, but this can be compensated for by using a relatively large supply of fresh sorbent, which appears to be acceptable considering the low cost of limestone. Also, a novel concept to reactivate the spent sorbent using sonic energy is outlined here as an alternative to reduce the use of fresh limestone.