CO2 Capture from Simulated Syngas via Cyclic Carbonation/Calcination for a Naturally Occurring Limestone: Pilot-Plant Testing

Experiments were performed using a dual fluidized bed reactor system, operated in a batch mode, in order to investigate the effects of steam and simulated syngas on CO2 capture and sorbent conversion efficiency for a naturally occurring Polish calcitic limestone. In addition, the effect of high partial pressures of CO2 on the calcination process was examined using either oxygen-enriched air or oxy-fuel combustion in the calciner. As expected, calcination under oxy-fuel conditions resulted in decreased carbonation conversion due primarily to particle sintering and pore pluggage. On average there was a decrease in carbonation conversion of approximately 36.5 and 33.4% for carbonation with steam and steam/simulated syngas, respectively, compared to similar experiments using oxygen-enriched air. However, during the carbonation of the limestone with steam present in the feed gas, it was observed that the high CO2 capture efficiency period was significantly extended compared to carbonation with only CO2 present. This resulted in increased CaO conversion from approximately 16.1 to 29.7% for the initial carbonation cycle. A further increase in carbonation conversion, from 29.7 to 46.9%, was also observed when simulated syngas conditions (CO, H2) were used in the carbonator. Analysis of the outlet gases also confirmed that the calcined limestone catalyzes the water gas shift reaction, which we believe results in enhanced CO2 concentration levels at the grain surfaces of the sorbent.