Mechanism of sintering of Ca-based sorbents in Carbonate looping process

Abstract

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges issues facing the world this century. Cement industry represents around 5% of the total anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. The carbonate looping process seems a promising CO2 capture technology for cement industry as the sub-product can be used in the cement manufacturing process. It is based in the reversible reaction between CaO and CaCO3 to produce a stream with high CO2 concentration. One of the main drawbacks of this technology is the loss of adsorption capacity of the sorbent. Limestone samples have been calcined under different conditions in a tubular reactor and analyzed in the BET apparatus. Also, limestone was tested in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). All experiments were performed at realistic carbonation-calcination conditions unlike most of the experimental work presented in the literature. The application of realistic conditions accelerates and increases sintering as well as the CO2 carrying capacity of the sorbent.