Operation of fixed-bed chemical looping combustion

Abstract

Chemical Looping Combustion is an alternative technology for CO2 capture. While most systems utilize dual circulating fluidized-beds, this work shows that fixed-bed Chemical Looping Combustion is a feasible configuration for this technology. The inherent separation of the CO2 from the depleted air stream gives a very low efficiency penalty, which is further improved by the possibility of using a pressurized fixed-bed system, a factor much more difficult to realize with circulating fluidized beds. A laboratory scale experimental system has been constructed for the purpose of validating a numerical model. The results from the numerical model have agreed well with experimental data over full oxidation-reduction cycles and will be presented in subsequent publications. The work briefly described here, and to be presented in detail in coming publications, forms a basis which proves feasibility, but also opens up several possibilities for further investigations needed to scale-up and eventually commercialize CLC for power generation with inherent CO2 capture.