Process integration of chemical looping combustion with oxygen uncoupling in a coal-fired power plant

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 103; pp. 646 - 659
• Main Authors: Spinelli, Maurizio, Peltola, Petteri, Bischi, Aldo, Ritvanen, Jouni, Hyppänen, Timo, Romano, Matteo C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.05.2016
• Subjects: Carbon capture and storage; Carbon dioxide; Chemical looping combustion; Clean coal; CLOU; CO2 capture; Combustion; Electric power generation; Electric power plants; Fluidized bed; Oxygen; Reactors; Sensitivity analysis; CLOU; CO2 capture; Chemical looping combustion; Fluidized bed; Clean coal
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.02.167

High-temperature solid looping processes for CCS (carbon capture and storage) represent a class of promising technologies that enables CO2 capture with relatively low net efficiency penalties. The novel concept of the CLOU (Chemical Looping with Oxygen Uncoupling) process is based on a system of two interconnected fluidized bed reactors that operate at atmospheric pressure. In the fuel reactor, the capability of certain metal oxides to spontaneously release molecular oxygen at high temperatures is exploited to promote the direct conversion of coal in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. As a novel CO2 capture concept, the CLOU process requires the optimization of design and operation parameters, which may substantially influence the total power plant performance. This study approaches this issue by performing joint simulations of CLOU reactors using a 1.5D model and a steam cycle power plant. A sensitivity analysis has been performed to investigate the performance and main technical issues that are related to the integration of a CLOU island in a state-of-the-art USC (ultra-supercritical) power plant. In particular, the effect of the key process parameters has been evaluated. Superior performance has been estimated for the power plant, with electrical efficiencies of approximately 42% and more than 95% CO2 avoided. •Process modeling and simulation of CLOU integrated in USC coal power plant carried out.•Comprehensive sensitivity analysis on Cu-based CLOU process performed.•Electrical efficiencies of 42% and more than 95% CO2 avoided obtained.•Reactor size and operating conditions suitable for industrial applications.