The Role of Water on the Performance of Calcium Oxide-Based Sorbents for Carbon Dioxide Capture: A Review

Abstract A technology using calcium oxide (CaO)‐based sorbents for CO 2 capture has been identified to be the optimal candidate for capturing CO 2 at high temperature. Realistic gases always contain water vapor and many other components, and it has been reported that these wet conditions have a non‐negligible influence on the performance of the sorbent. This Review outlines the role of H 2 O during the CO 2 capture process using CaO‐based sorbents. The role of steam/H 2 O in sorbent reactivation, the effect of steam on carbonation and calcination, and the influence of steam when simultaneously existing in both carbonation and calcination stages are discussed. It is suggested that injection of steam in both carbonator and calciner is a good strategy to achieve better reactivity of the CaO‐based sorbent for CO 2 capture. The mechanisms of the effect of steam in carbonator and calciner on CO 2 capture are also discussed. The Review concludes with future research directions.