Recent Advances on Preparation and Characteristics of Oxygen Carrier Particles

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC), characterized by high efficiency, inherent CO2 separation and low NOX emission, is considered as one promising CO2 sequestration technology. The preparation of a suitable oxygen carrier for CLC is a key issue to realize the CLC technique. Recent advances on preparation and characteristics of oxygen carrier particles were reviewed in this paper. Based on a brief summary of CLC, the preparation materials and methods of oxygen carrier were introduced respectively. Finally, the physical properties of the oxygen carrier and reaction characteristics represented by the thermodynamics and kinetics were discussed. The feasibility of some materials used as oxygen carriers was evaluated through thermodynamic analysis. Three gas-solid reaction models were used to explain the reaction kinetics of the gas fuel combustion with oxygen carriers. It is a new trend to synthesis a preferable oxygen carrier using the low-cost ores and industry products instead of metal oxides and directly using the solid fuel in substitution for gas. Further, this review covers a brief introduction to the further application of CLC, especially chemical-looping hydrogen production.