Advanced separation technology (6CPT40)

Quartile 3
Tutorial 8- CLC in fixed bed reactor
Deadline for submission: March 25 8:30 AM

CCS (CO2 capture and sequestration) requires capture of a relatively pure CO2 stream. To implement CCS, it is important
to capture the CO2 where it is produced in large quantities as in power plants.

a) What is the difference between post-combustion capture, pre-combustion capture and oxy-fuel combustion.
Mention one process for each of the three capture solutions.
b) In which CO2 capture route could a membrane reactor be used, and which kind of membrane would you use?

A packed bed reactor for chemical looping combustion has to be designed.

c) Mention the main difference between packed beds and fluidized beds CLC processes. List advantages and
disadvantages of both concepts.

A simplified approach for the temperature and reaction fronts inside the reactor is reported in the following figure:

1
heat reaction
front front
Temperature (-)

t1 t2

w2 w1

0
0 1
Axial position (-)

The two front velocities can be calculated as:

 g vggin,i M act
0
 g vg C p , g
w1 = w2 =
òs  sact
0
M g ,i  òs  s C p , s

d) Derive the expression for the temperature rise inside the reactor
The oxygen carrier has to be selected between Ni/Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 with particle diameter of 3 mm. The maximum
temperature for the reactor is 1000 °C while the feed temperature is 400 °C. The reactor has to be operated at a minimum
velocity of 0.5 m/s with air flow rate during oxidation equal to 50 kg/s.

e) Select the cheapest option for the oxygen carrier.

Hint: Use Excel’s Goal Seek option or another numerical method. Also, use the internet for additional physical
properties of the catalyst. Furthermore, remember that mole fraction ≠ weight fraction.

f) Evaluate how long the reactor can be to have a maximum pressure drop of 3% of the feed pressure (feed pressure
20 bar).
g) Evaluate the oxidation cycle time assuming full conversion of oxygen and gas/solid reaction rate extremely fast.

For the pressure drop the Ergun equation can be used:

Other data

ΔHR,Cu/CuO -304000 [J mol-1O2]

ΔHR,Ni/NiO -468000 [J mol-1 O2]
Cps 65 [J mol-1 K-1] for all solids
Cpg 35 [J mol-1 K-1] for all gases
Pin 20 [bar]
R 8.314 [J mol-1 K-1]
 0.4
s 0.4
μ air 4.111·10-5 [kg m-1s-1]
Cost of Cu
active metal 180 €/kg
Cost of Ni
active metal 250 €/kg