Modeling the deactivation of CaO-based sorbents during multiple Ca-looping cycles for CO2 post-combustion capture

• Published in: Computers & chemical engineering 2020-03, Vol.134, p.106679, Article 106679
• Main Authors: Abreu, Miguel, Teixeira, Paula, Filipe, Rui M., Domingues, Luis, Pinheiro, Carla I.C., Matos, Henrique A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calcium looping; CO2 capture; Modeling; Sintering; Sorbents deactivation
• ISSN: 0098-1354; 1873-4375
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2019.106679

A novel model is presented for the estimation of natural CaO-based sorbents carbonation reactivity decay during Calcium Looping carbonation-calcination cycles. The model consists of a cyclic framework of two sub-models, the Overlapping Grain Model and the novel proposed modified Rate Theory for the Pore Size Distribution model. The model was implemented in gPROMS ModelBuilder® and parameter estimation was used for model validation using experimental data from three CaO-based sorbent precursors. The carbonation profile for the three sorbents was simulated with average deviations under 5%. The calcination sub-model predicted the evolution of total porous volume and total surface area for the calcination and sintering of dolomite, with an error of 3%. The cyclic framework successfully predicted the carbonation behavior of dolomite for 20 carbonation-calcination cycles. The model can be used for other CaO-based sorbents and the flexible modular structure allows the integration of other modules or approaches. [Display omitted]