Volume 52

Optimizing Sorbent Flow and Parameters in Calcium Looping Project integrated with CaO reactivation Dingyi Jiang, Shouzhuang Li, Mika Järvinen

Abstract

Achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating global warming demand effective management of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Calcium Looping (CaL) technology, characterized by its reversible carbonization and calcination reactions, presents a cost-effective and environmentally benign approach for CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants. Integrating Concentrated Solar Heat (CSH) with CaL emerges as a promising avenue for cleaner production. Addressing calcium sintering issues in CaL projects, this study employed a wet precipitation method for Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) production to reactivate deactivated calcium material. Balancing the adsorbent flow rate and reactor temperature is paramount for cost-effective carbon dioxide capture. Consequently, this study conducted an optimization analysis of adsorbent flow rate and reactor parameters to enhance carbon capture efficiency and economic viability. Kinetics of the carbonator and calciner were modeled in Aspen. The findings revealed optimal temperatures of 600 °C for the carbonator and 900 °C for the calciner, considering system cost and CO2 capture efficiency. The study determined that the molar flux ratios of recycled absorber to CO2 in flue gas and supplemental absorber to CO2 in flue gas yielding the lowest cost are 0.09 and 4, respectively. The findings furnish valuable insights for configuring flow rates and temperatures in project construction, thereby fostering the commercialization of carbon capture initiatives, and advancing carbon neutrality goals.

Keywords Calcium Looping, CSH, CaO Reactivation, sorbent flow rate, parameter optimization