Spray water reactivation/pelletization of spent CaO-based sorbent from calcium looping cycles

Environ Sci Technol. 2012 Nov 20;46(22):12720-5. doi: 10.1021/es303252j. Epub 2012 Oct 31.

Abstract

This paper presents a novel method for reactivation of spent CaO-based sorbents from calcium looping (CaL) cycles for CO(2) capture. A spent Cadomin limestone-derived sorbent sample from a pilot-scale fluidized bed (FBC) CaL reactor is used for reactivation. The calcined sorbent is sprayed by water in a pelletization vessel. This reactivation method produces pellets ready to be used in FBC reactors. Moreover, this procedure enables the addition of calcium aluminate cement to further enhance sorbent strength. The characterization of reactivated material by nitrogen physisorption (BET, BJH) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the enhanced morphology of sorbent particles for reaction with CO(2). This improved CO(2) carrying capacity was demonstrated in calcination/carbonation tests performed in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Finally, the resulting pellets displayed a high resistance to attrition during fluidization in a bubbling bed.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Aluminum Compounds / chemistry*
  • Calcium Carbonate / chemistry
  • Calcium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Carbon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Construction Materials / analysis*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Thermogravimetry
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Aluminum Compounds
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Oxides
  • Water
  • calcium aluminate
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • lime
  • Calcium Carbonate