At a glance
- DatesJune 2014- September 2017
- SponsorResearch Fund of Coal and Steel
- Funded£ 233,622
- PartnersEndesa Generation, Grupo Hunosa, CSIC, Carmeuse, Andritz, Lappeenranta University of Technology
Calcium looping (CaL) is a second-generation carbon capture technology. It is based on the reversible carbonation reaction of lime.
This project intends to develop an optimised process of the CO2 capture post-combustion calcium looping system, for coal-based power plants. This process scheme is intended to minimize or even avoid the need of a CO2 recycle to the oxy-fired circulating fluidized bed calciner, which is needed to control the temperature of the oxy-combustion in the reactor. This can be done by exploiting the endothermic nature of the calcination reaction and the large solid flow circulating from the carbonator. This variant can reduce investment and operating costs, thereby improving significantly the competitiveness of the system.
The captured CO2 can then be transported to a storage site, used in enhanced oil recovery or used as a chemical feedstock. Calcium looping is being developed as it is a more efficient, less toxic alternative to current post-combustion capture processes such as amine scrubbing.
Watch the Calcium looping for carbon capture CaO2 project video*.
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Progress Update
This operational scheme has been investigated successfully in our 25 kWth pilot plant with up to 100% vol O2 in the calciner (intense combustion conditions).