Stabilized Performance of Al‐Decorated and Al/Mg Co‐Decorated Spray‐Dried CaO‐Based CO2 Sorbents

The sharp loss‐in‐capacity in CO₂ capture as a result of sintering is a major drawback for CaO‐based sorbents used in the calcium looping process. The decoration of inert supports effectively stabilizes the cyclic CO₂ capture performance of CaO‐based sorbents via sintering mitigation. A range of Al‐decorated and Al/Mg co‐decorated CaO‐based sorbents were synthesized via an easily scaled‐up spray‐drying route. The decoration of Al‐based and Al/Mg‐based supports efficiently enhanced the cyclic CO₂ capture capability of CaO‐based sorbents under severe testing conditions. The CO₂ capture capacity losses of Al‐decorated and Al/Mg co‐decorated CaO‐based sorbents were alleviated, representing more stable CO₂ capture performance. The stabilized CO₂ capture performance is mainly attributed to the formation of Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃, MgAl₂O₄, and MgO that act as the skeleton structures to mitigate the sintering of CaCO₃ during carbonation/calcination cycles.     

Enhanced cyclic stability of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption capacity of CaO-based sorbents using La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> or Ca<Subscript>12</Subscript>Al<Subscript>14</Subscript>O<Subscript>33</Subscript> as additives

To improve the stability of CaO adsorption capacity for CO₂ capture during multiple carbonation/calcination cycles, modified CaO-based sorbents were synthesized by sol-gel-combustion-synthesis (SGCS) method and wet physical mixing method, respectively, to overcome the problem of loss-in-capacity of CaO-based sorbents. The cyclic CaO adsorption capacity of the sorbents as well as the effect of the addition of La₂O₃ or Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ was investigated in a fixed-bed reactor. The transient phase change and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FSEM), respectively. The experimental results indicate that La₂O₃ played an active role in the carbonation/calcination reactions. When the sorbents were made by wet physical mixing method, CaO/Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ was much better than CaO/La₂O₃ in cyclic CO₂ capture performance. When the sorbents were made by SGCS method, the synthetic CaO/La₂O₃ sorbent provided the best performance of a carbonation conversion of up to 93% and an adsorption capacity of up to 0.58 g-CO₂/g-sorbent after 11 cycles.     

CO2 sorption performance by aminosilane functionalized spheres prepared via co‐condensation and post‐synthesis methods

Amine functionalized silica microspheres were synthesised via a modified Stöber reaction for carbon dioxide (CO₂) adsorption. A number of adsorbents were synthesized by co‐condensation and post synthesis immobilization of amines on porous silica spheres. CO₂ adsorption studies were carried out on a fixed bed gas adsorption rig with online mass spectrometry. Amine co‐condensed silica spheres were found to adsorb up to 66 mg CO₂ g^?1 solid in a 0.15 atm CO₂ stream at 35°C. Simple post‐synthesis addition of aminopropyltriethoxysilane to amine co‐condensed silica was found to significantly increase the uptake of CO₂ to 211 mg CO₂ g^?1 under similar conditions, with CO₂ desorption commencing at temperatures as low as 60°C. The optimum temperature for adsorption was found to be 35°C. This work presents a CO₂ adsorbent prepared via a simple synthesis method, with a high CO₂ adsorption capacity and favorable CO₂ adsorption/desorption performance under simulated flue gas conditions. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2825–2832, 2016     

Effect of the CaO sintering on the calcination rate of CaCO3 under atmospheres containing CO2

For the calcination of CaCO₃ under CO₂‐containing atmospheres, a mathematical model taking into account the CO₂‐catalyzed sintering of the CaO product layer is developed. In this model, a modified shrinking core model is coupled with a population balance‐based sintering model. By comparing model predictions with experimental data, it is found that CO₂ strongly affects the overall calcination rate both at high temperature and CO₂ partial pressure, since under these conditions CaO densification considerably reduces the effective diffusivity of CO₂ within product layer. It is observed that for large particles, the CO₂‐catalyzed sintering of CaO can produce the “die off” phenomenon, which takes place when the reaction stops due to the blockage of pores within product layer. Finally, it was determined that limestone impurities do not significantly affect the calcination reaction under atmospheres containing CO₂, because CO₂ causes a much greater increase of the CaO sintering rate than limestone impurities do. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3638–3648, 2018     

CO2 capture capacity of CaO in long series of pressure swing sorption cycles

One promising method for the capture of CO₂ from point sources is through the usage of a lime-based sorbent. Lime (CaO) acts as a CO₂ carrier, absorbing CO₂ from the flue gas (carbonation) and releasing it in a separate reactor (calcination) to create a pure stream of CO₂ suitable for sequestration. One of the challenges with this process is the decay in calcium utilization (CO₂ capture capacity) during carbonation/calcination cycling. The reduction in calcium utilization of natural limestone over large numbers of cycles (>250) was studied. Cycling was accomplished using pressure swing CO₂ adsorption in a pressurized thermogravimetric reactor (PTGA). The effect of carbonation pressure on calcium utilization was studied in CO₂ with the reactor operated at 1000 °C. The pressure was cycled between atmospheric pressure for calcination, and 6, 11 or 21 bar for carbonation. Over the first 250 cycles, the calcium utilization reached a near-asymptotic value of 12.5-27.7%, depending on the cycling conditions. Pressure cycling resulted in improved long-term calcium utilization compared to temperature swing or CO₂ partial pressure swing adsorption under similar conditions. An increased rate of de-pressurization caused an increase in calcium utilization, attributed to fracturing of the sorbent particle during the rapid calcination, as observed via SEM analysis.     

K‐Promoted Hydrotalcites for CO2 Capture in Sorption Enhanced Reactions

Potassium‐promoted hydrotalcite‐like material was prepared with potassium nitrate as the K precursor. The highest ever reported CO₂ adsorption capacity (1.13 mol kg^–1) was obtained at 656 K with p = 0.5 bar at humid conditions. A mathematical model was developed and it satisfactorily simulated the adsorption and desorption processes. The stability of the material was tested with repeated adsorption/desorption cycles; the CO₂ adsorption capacity decreased around 7 % after ten cycles. In addition, regeneration was performed with temperature swing operation (from 656 K to 708 K), where a complete regeneration was achieved within 60 min, which reduced to half the time required for regeneration under isothermal conditions.     

Amine‐functionalization of the nanotitanate ETS‐2

A series of nonporous, amine‐functionalized sodium titanates was prepared and the thermal and adsorptive behavior of the samples were characterized. Engelhard titanosilicate 2 was chosen as a substrate for its high surface area (～300 m²/g), native surface hydroxyl concentration, and lack of microporosity; eliminating the risk of fouling the adsorbent under certain process conditions. Aminosilanes containing a single (N1), two (N2), and three (N3) amine groups were chemically grafted to the surface of the substrate and the adsorption capacity for CO₂ measured through thermogravimetry‐mass spectroscopy (TG‐MS) desorption, volumetric adsorption, and gravimetric adsorption/desorption cycling. The N3 sample displayed complete monolayer coverage and was capable of adsorbing five times as much atmospheric CO₂ as the N1 sample. Testing under anhydrous conditions only engages the primary amine on the tether and the data consistently suggests a correlation between amine utilization and the proportion of monolayer coverage for these adsorbents. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4727–4734, 2013     

Development of a Scalable Method for Manufacturing High‐Temperature CO2 Capture Sorbents

An engineered process for scalable manufacture of a calcium aluminum carbonate CO₂ sorbent with production amounts of about 1000 g per hour has been developed. The process includes mixing and heating, solid‐liquid separation, drying and extrusion, crushing and conveying, and calcined molding steps. The sorbent preparation involves the coprecipitation of Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, and CO₃^2– under alkaline conditions. By adjusting the Ca:Al molar ratio, a series of Ca‐rich materials could be synthesized for use as CO₂ sorbents at 750 °C. A calcium acetate‐derived sorbent exhibited better cyclic stability than sorbents originating from CaCl₂ and Ca(NO₃)₂. The initial sorption capacity increased with CaO concentration. High stability of more than 90 % was maintained by the Ca:Al sorbents after 40 looping tests.     

Enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity and stability using CaO‐based adsorbents treated by hydration

The synthesis of highly efficient CaO‐based sorbents using Ca(Ac)₂ as a precursor and ethanol as a modification agent for CO₂ capture is described. This adsorbent has several characteristics such as large surface area and pore volume and small particle size. The influence of ratio of ethanol and water on CO₂ adsorption capacity was evaluated considering that the ethanol concentration could affect the pore structure of sorbents. The results showed that CaO modified by ethanol solution had a higher carbonization and better stability. Particularly, when the volume ratio of ethanol and water was 3, a performance of adsorption capacity of 74% and conversion of 94% was observed. CaO modified by ethanol solution had a superior performance due to the decrease of grain size and the formation of loose porous structure. The influence of steam on stability of adsorbents at high temperatures was examined, and it was found that with the existence of steam diffusion, the capacity of the sorbent could remain at a higher level and the stability was evidently improved. After 18 cycles of adsorption/desorption process, the capacity remained as high as 65%. It was proposed that dynamic and cyclic steam injection was favorable for preventing the sintering of sorbents and facilitating the diffusion of CO₂. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 3586–3593, 2013     

Simultaneous Carbonation and Sulfation of CaO in Oxy‐Fuel CFB Combustion

For anthracites and petroleum cokes, the typical combustion temperature in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) is > 900 °C. At CO₂ concentrations of 80–85 % (typical of oxy‐fuel CFBC conditions), limestone still calcines. When the ash which includes unreacted CaO cools to the calcination temperature, carbonation of fly ash deposited on cool surfaces may occur. At the same time, indirect and direct sulfation of limestone also will occur, possibly leading to more deposition. In this study, CaO was carbonated and sulfated simultaneously in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) under conditions expected in an oxy‐fuel CFBC. It was found that temperature, and concentrations of CO₂, SO₂, and especially H₂O are important factors in determining the carbonation/sulfation reactions of CaO.     

Effects of rapid calcination on properties of calcium-based sorbents

The calcination process may influence subsequent fragmentation, sintering and swelling when CaO derived from limestone acts as a CO₂ or SO₂-sorbent in combustion, gasification and reforming. Sorbent properties are affected by CO₂ partial pressure, total pressure, temperature, heating rate, impurities and sample size. In this study, the effect of calcination heating rate was investigated based on an electrically heated platinum foil. The effects of heating rate (up to 800 °C/s), calcination temperature (700-950 °C), particle size (90-180 μm) and sweep gas velocity were investigated. Higher initial heating rates led to lower extents of limestone calcination, but the extents of carbonation of the resulting CaO were similar to each other. Calcium utilization declined markedly during carbonation or sulphation of CaO after calcination by rapid heating. Experimental results show that carbonation and calcium utilization were most effective for carbonation temperatures between 503 and 607 °C. Increasing the extent of calcination is not the best way to improve overall calcium utilization due to the vast increase in energy consumption.     

Influence of calcination conditions on carrying capacity of CaO-based sorbent in CO2 looping cycles

This study examines the loss of sorbent activity caused by sintering under realistic CO₂ capture cycle conditions. The samples tested here included two limestones: Havelock limestone from Canada (New Brunswick) and a Polish (Upper Silesia) limestone (Katowice). Samples were prepared both in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a tube furnace (TF). Two calcination conditions were employed: in N₂ at lower temperature; and in CO₂ at high temperature. The samples obtained were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface compositions of the resulting materials were analyzed by the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) method. The quantitative influence of calcination conditions was examined by nitrogen adsorption/desorption tests, gas displacement pycnometry and powder displacement pycnometry; BET surface areas, BJH pore volume distributions, skeletal densities and envelope densities were determined. The SEM images showed noticeably larger CaO sub-grains were produced by calcination in CO₂ during numerous cycles than those seen with calcination in nitrogen. The EDX elemental analyses showed a strong influence of impurities on local melting at the sorbent particle surface, which became more pronounced at higher temperature. Results of BET/BJH testing clearly support these findings on the effect of calcination/cycling conditions on sorbent morphology. Envelope density measurements showed that particles displayed densification upon cycling and that particles calcined under CO₂ showed greater densification than those calcined under N₂. Interestingly, the Katowice limestone calcined/cycled at higher temperature in CO₂ showed an increase of activity for cycles involving calcination under N₂ in the TGA. These results clearly demonstrate that, in future development of CaO-based CO₂ looping cycle technology, more attention should be paid to loss of sorbent activity caused by realistic calcination conditions and the presence of impurities originating from fuel ash and/or limestone.     

Dynamic CO2 adsorption performance of internally cooled silica‐supported poly(ethylenimine) hollow fiber sorbents

The dynamic adsorption behavior of CO₂ under both nonisothermal and nearly isothermal conditions in silica supported poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) hollow fiber sorbents (Torlon®‐S‐PEI) is investigated in a rapid temperature swing adsorption (RTSA) process. A maximum CO₂ breakthrough capacity of 1.33 mmol/g‐fiber (2.66 mmol/g‐silica) is observed when the fibers are actively cooled by flowing cooling water in the fiber bores. Under dry CO₂ adsorption conditions, heat released from the CO₂‐amine interaction increases the CO₂ breakthrough capacity by reducing the severity of the diffusion resistance in the supported PEI. This internal resistance can also be alleviated by prehydrating the fiber sorbent with a humid N₂ feed. The CO₂ breakthrough capacity of prehydrated fibers is adversely affected by the release of the adsorption enthalpy (unlike the dry fibers); however, active cooling of the fiber results in a constant CO₂ breakthrough capacity even at high CO₂ delivery rates (i.e., high adsorption enthalpy delivery rates). In full RTSA cycles, a purity of 50% CO₂ is achieved and the adsorption enthalpy recovery rate can reach ～72%. Studies on the cyclic stability of uncooled fiber sorbents in the presence of SO₂ and NO contaminants indicate that exposure to NO at 200 ppm over 120 cycles does not lead to a significant degradation of the sorbents, but SO₂ exposure at a similar high concentration of 200 ppm causes 60% loss in CO₂ breakthrough capacity after 120 cycles. A simple amine reinfusion technique is successfully demonstrated to recover the adsorption capacity in poisoned fiber sorbents after deactivation by exposure to impurities such SO₂. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3878–3887, 2014     

Effect of rice husk ash addition on CO2 capture behavior of calcium-based sorbent during calcium looping cycle

Rice husk ash/CaO was proposed as a CO₂ sorbent which was prepared by rice husk ash and CaO hydration together. The CO₂ capture behavior of rice husk ash/CaO sorbent was investigated in a twin fixed bed reactor system, and its apparent morphology, pore structure characteristics and phase variation during cyclic carbonation/calcination reactions were examined by SEM-EDX, N₂ adsorption and XRD, respectively. The optimum preparation conditions for rice husk ash/CaO sorbent are hydration temperature of 75 °C, hydration time of 8 h, and mole ratio of SiO₂ in rice husk ash to CaO of 1.0. The cyclic carbonation performances of rice husk ash/CaO at these preparation conditions were compared with those of hydrated CaO and original CaO. The temperature at 660 °C–710 °C is beneficial to CO₂ absorption of rice husk ash/CaO, and it exhibits higher carbonation conversions than hydrated CaO and original CaO during multiple cycles at the same reaction conditions. Rice husk ash/CaO possesses better anti-sintering behavior than the other sorbents. Rice husk ash exhibits better effect on improving cyclic carbonation conversion of CaO than pure SiO₂ and diatomite. Rice husk ash/CaO maintains higher surface area and more abundant pores after calcination during the multiple cycles; however, the other sorbents show a sharp decay at the same reaction conditions. Ca₂SiO₄ found by XRD detection after calcination of rice husk ash/CaO is possibly a key factor in determining the cyclic CO₂ capture behavior of rice husk ash/CaO.     

Increasing Porosity of Molded Calcium‐Based Sorbents by Glucose Templating for Cyclic CO2 Capture

With the aim to enhance the CO₂ capture capacity and anti‐attrition property of CaO‐based sorbents simultaneously, a novel CaO‐based sphere was prepared by extrusion‐spheronization using Ca(OH)₂ powder with glucose templating. The CO₂ capture characteristics and attrition resistance property of the sorbent were examined and the microstructure of the sorbents was analyzed. The results demonstrate that the obtained spherical sorbents exhibit an outstanding anti‐attrition performance compared to limestone sorbent. After 100 cycles, all of the templated sorbents hold a CO₂ capture capacity of more than one time higher than that of limestone. The optimum templating rate of glucose in the sorbent was 1–5 wt %.     

Extrapolation of the Clausius-Clapeyron plot for estimating the CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption capacities of zeolites at moderate temperature conditions

CO₂ adsorption capacity of zeolite 13X and Na⁺-chabazite at 473 K was estimated by extrapolating the CO₂ adsorption isotherm data measured in the temperature range of 298 to 373 K by employing the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, and compared with those by gravimetric measurements using a TGA unit and by the breakthrough curves obtained using a gas mixture (CO₂ 30% in N₂ balance) in a fixed bed adsorption unit. All three methods produced comparable CO₂ adsorption capacities, and justified the suggested experimental approach of the extrapolation procedure using the low temperature isotherm data for estimating gas adsorption capacity at high temperature conditions.     

Ni/CaO‐Al2O3 bifunctional catalysts for sorption‐enhanced steam methane reforming

Ni/CaO‐Al₂O₃ bifunctional catalysts with different CaO/Al₂O₃ mass ratios were prepared by a sol–gel method and applied to the sorption‐enhanced steam methane reforming (SESMR) process. The catalysts consisted mainly of Ni, CaO and Ca₅Al₆O₁₄. The catalyst structure depended strongly on the CaO/Al₂O₃ mass ratio, which in turn affected the CO₂ capture capacity and the catalytic performance. The catalyst with a CaO/Al₂O₃ mass ratio of 6 or 8 possessed the highest surface area, the smallest Ni particle size, and the most uniform distribution of Ni, CaO, and Ca₅Al₆O₁₄. During 50 consecutive SESMR cycles at a steam/methane molar ratio of 2, the thermodynamic equilibrium was achieved using the catalyst with a CaO/Al₂O₃ mass ratio of 6, and H₂ concentration profiles for all the 50 cycles almost overlapped, indicating excellent activity and stability of the catalyst. Moreover, a high CO₂ capture capacity of 0.44 was maintained after 50 carbonation–calcination cycles, being almost equal to its initial capacity (0.45 ). © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3547–3556, 2014     

Application of polyethylenimine‐impregnated solid adsorbents for direct capture of low‐concentration CO2

A systematic study of CO₂ capture on the amine‐impregnated solid adsorbents is carried out at CO₂ concentrations in the range of 400–5000 ppm, relating to the direct CO₂ capture from atmospheric air. The commercially available polymethacrylate‐based HP2MGL and polyethylenimine are screened to be the suitable support and amine, respectively, for preparation of the adsorbent. The adsorbents exhibit an excellent saturation adsorption capacity of 1.96 mmol/g for 400 ppm CO₂ and 2.13 mmol/g for 5000 ppm CO₂. Moisture plays a promoting effect on CO₂ adsorption but depends on the relative humidity. The presence of O₂ would lead to the decrease of adsorption capacity but do not affect the cyclic performance. The diffusion additive is efficient to improve the adsorption capacity and cyclic performance. Moreover, the adsorbents can be easily regenerated under a mild temperature. This study may have a positive impact on the design of high‐performance adsorbents for CO₂ capture from ambient air. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 972–980, 2015     

Simultaneous Adsorption of SO2, NO,and CO2 by K2CO3‐Modified γ‐Alumina

The simultaneous adsorption of SO₂, NO, and CO₂ on K₂CO₃‐modified γ‐alumina under different operating conditions was studied in a fixed‐bed reactor. The experimental results showed that the influence of a temperature increase on the simultaneous adsorption of the three gases was complex and different from the effects seen when both chemical adsorption and competitive adsorption existed. An increase in O₂ concentration and small amounts of water could enhance the adsorption of SO₂ and NO while the adsorption of CO₂ was not influenced. The breakthrough curves of the simultaneous adsorption experiments suggested that the investigated adsorbent may be a good candidate for the simultaneous adsorption of SO₂, NO, and part of the CO₂ while the adsorption capacity for CO₂ still needs to be enhanced.     

the effect of CO2 on the kinetics and extent of calcination of limestone and dolomite particles in fluidised beds

Measurements have been made of the rates of calcination of limestone particles (diam. 0.4–2.0 mm) in a fluidised bed, electrically heated to a well-defined temperature. Experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure and also at pressures of 3, 6, 12 and 18 bar, for bed temperatures varying from 1073 to 1248 K. The fluidising gases were air, or occasionally nitrogen, containing up to 20 vol. % CO₂. The results indicate that under these conditions the rate of calcination of such limestone particles is controlled by chemical reaction at a sharp interface between CaCO₃ and CaO. The temperature of this reaction zone is only a few degrees (< 15 K) below that of the fluidised bed. The rate of calcination is found to be of the form: k̄(p^eCO₂ - pⁱCO₂ - Py_I) kmol/m² s, where p^eCO₂ and pⁱCO₂ are, respectively, the partial pressures of CO₂ for equilibrium at the temperature of the reaction interface and in the fluidising gas, k̄ is the rate constant associated with the reverse carbonation reaction (CO₂ + CaO → CaCO₃), P is the total pressure, and y_I is a constant, which depends on the temperature of the bed. Values of k̄ were measured. They appear to be independent of temperature, indicating that carbonation proceeds without an associated activation energy. It is hard to explain the appearance of y_I (an effective mole fraction for CO₂) in the above rate expression. The calcination of one dolomite has been briefly studied and calcination times etc. measured. In general, this appears to be a two-stage process, with the calcination of the MgCO₃ component being insensitive to pressure, unlike the CaCO₃. The value of k̄ for CO₂ + MgO → MgCO₃ is similar to that for the calcium case.