Kinetics of the potassium carbonate-catalysed CO2 gasification of activated carbon

In this study reaction rate data are presented of potassium carbonate-catalysed C02 gasification of an activated carbon, measured in a Packed Bed Balance Reactor over a C02 pressure range of 0.05–2.03 MPa at 1050 K. As a result of CO inhibition the reactor only behaves differentially at CO2 conversions < 4%. Based on the rate data a two-step oxidation-reduction cycle is selected as an adequate description of the reaction, which is valid over the whole range of carbon conversions. The selected rate expression is independent of the total pressure. The observed significant decrease in reaction rate above 50% carbon conversion is due to a decreasing number of active sites.