Reactivity Study on Natural-Gas-Fueled Chemical-Looping Combustion by a Fixed-Bed Reactor

To develop a new technology for CO 2 capture with less or even no energy penalty, we have proposed a novel combustion, which may make a breakthrough in CO 2 capture by use of no special CO 2 separation equipment and no energy penalty. The fundamental reaction kinetics of the solid−gas reactions in natural-gas-fueled chemical-looping combustion was examined by means of a designed and manufactured fixed-bed reactor with an elevated pressure. The solid looping media, which have not only good reactivity but also sufficient mechanical strength, are synthesized for chemical-looping combustion. NiO/NiAl 2 O 4 and CoO−NiO/YSZ were found to be promising candidates for the medium in this combustor. Especially, NiO/NiAl 2 O 4 had good reactivity and excellent resistance against carbon deposition in the atmosphere of H 2 O/CH 4 = 2.0. With the development of suitable material and the selection of good reaction conditions, the valuable data for the design of a practical reactor were obtained.