The main aim is to evaluate the potential of chemical looping technology in comparison with other carbon capture options to be a reliable solution for future low carbon energy technologies. To achieve the above described objectives the following work packages (WPs) are envisaged.
WP 1:
Synthesis of catalytic, Fe-based oxygen carriers (ETHZ)
In this work package, precipitation techniques shall be developed to synthesize catalytic, multi-functional Fe-based oxygen carriers. A careful analysis shall be performed to elucidate the relationships between the preparation conditions, the structure and chemical composition of the material and the redox performance of the material. To enhance the reactivity of Fe2O3 towards hydrocarbons and tarry substances the addition of catalytic material to the synthesis protocol will be investigated.
WP 2: Determination of reaction pathways and kinetics (ETHZ)
In this work package a detailed study of the reaction kinetics and the reaction steps shall be determined using a fluidized bed to eliminate mass transfer limitations. An important facet will be the establishment of the influence of cycle number on the reaction kinetics. To elucidate the kinetics if (i) the formation of mixed oxides occurs and (ii) sulphurous compounds are present in the reactive gas, in-situ time resolved XAS measurements shall be performed.
WP 3:
Experimental assessment of the feasibility of the direct feed of different solids fuels in a fluidized bed containing the oxygen carrier (ETHZ)
In this work package the feasibility of the process option to directly feed the solid fuel (coal and/or biomass) directly into the bed containing the oxygen carrier shall be critically assessed
WP 4: Synthesis of (catalytic) Ca-based materials stable and high cyclic CO2 uptakes (ETHZ)
In this work package Ca-based materials that possess an excellent CO2 uptake capacity over many cycles shall be developed. In addition, the materials developed will be modified by the addition of catalytic material, viz. Ni and Fe/Cr, for application in the SE reforming and WGS reaction, respectively.
WP 5: Conceptual design, modelling, simulation and validation of poly-generation of decarbonised energy vector poly-generation (hydrogen, heat, power) using different chemical looping systems (BBU)
In this work package, conceptual designs for the poly-generation of decarbonised energy vectors poly-generation (hydrogen, heat, power) via different chemical looping cycles will be developed based on published data and the experimental work performed here (WPs 1 to 4). The evaluated energy conversion systems will cover a wide range of processes such as reforming, gasification and combustion.
WP 6: Performing optimization studies for the poly-generation of decarbonized energy vectors using different chemical looping systems (BBU)
In this work package, the conceptual designs and associated process flow models for the poly-generation of decarbonised energy vectors (hydrogen, heat, power) using different chemical looping schemes will be evaluated in terms of plant flexibility (ability of the plant to switch between generated energy vectors in order to match demand variations), overall energy efficiency, increasing energy efficiency by mass and energy integration analysis (e.g. thermal integration by pinch analysis), hydrogen-based power generation systems (e.g. gas turbines, fuel cells etc.).
WP 7: Techno-economical evaluation and environmental impact assess-ment (Life Cycle Assessments - LCA) of advanced thermo-chemical looping cycles for the poly-generation of energy vectors (BBU)
In this work package the experimental and modelling results (WPs 1 to 6) of different chemical cycles to poly-generate decarbonised energy vectors (hydrogen, heat, power) will be used to perform techno-economic and environmental impact assessments.
