Biomass combustion in a CLC system using an iron ore as an oxygen carrier

• Published in: International journal of greenhouse gas control Vol. 19; pp. 322 - 330
• Main Authors: Mendiara, T., Abad, A., de Diego, L.F., García-Labiano, F., Gayán, P., Adánez, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2013
• Subjects: Biomass; Chemical looping; CO2 capture; Combustion; Iron ore; Combustion; Biomass; CO2 capture; Chemical looping; Iron ore
• ISSN: 1750-5836; 1878-0148
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.09.012

•CLC of biomass (pine) was performed in a 500Wth continuous unit.•High carbon captures (>96%) were obtained at 880–915°C.•Main combustion products were CO2 and steam. Tar decreased with temperature.•Recirculated CO2 can be used as gasifying agent maintaining efficiency.•No alkali deposition from biomass ashes was observed.
Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a promising CO2 capture technology with a very low energy penalty and cost. Several previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of this technology using both gaseous and solid fuels. The combustion of biomass using CLC would make the concept of negative-CO2 emission possible. This paper presents a study of biomass combustion in a continuous CLC unit using pine wood as fuel and iron ore as an oxygen carrier and analyses several parameters influencing the CLC process. High carbon captures (>95%) were achieved in the interval 880–915°C using both steam and CO2 as gasifying agents. Tar compounds were detected at the fuel reactor outlet. After 78h of continuous operation, no changes were detected in the physical and chemical properties of the oxygen carrier particles.