Innovative Internally Circulating Reactor Concept for Chemical Looping-Based CO2 Capture Processes: Hydrodynamic Investigation

An experimental hydrodynamic investigation has been carried out for a novel internally circulating chemical looping (ICCL) reactor concept proposed to reduce the technical complexities encountered in conventional chemical looping combustion (CLC) and reforming (CLR) technologies. The concept consists of a single reactor with internal physical separations dividing it into two sections, i.e., the fuel and air sections. The trade-off for this reduction in process complexity is increased gas leakage between the two reactor sections, so a pseudo-2D cold-flow experimental unit was designed. The ICCL concept remains highly efficient in terms of CO2 separation while ensuring significant process simplifications. The solids circulation rate also proved easy to control by adjusting the fluidization velocity ratio and the bed loading. In the light of the excellent hydrodynamic performance, the ICCL concept appears to be well-suited for further development as a CLC/CLR reactor model.