(580c) 50kW Circulating Chemical Looping Combustion Test Facility and Operating Experiences

In order to balance future energy needs with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable technology options for fossil fuel power generation are needed.  Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) is widely recognized as a potential option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a cost that is significantly lower than a conventional power plant with a conventional CO₂ absorption system.  Although the general concept has a long history, CLC has numerous technical issues that must be addressed in order to prepare this technology for a commercial debut.  Researchers at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory are using a small 50 kWth circulating test facility to address some of these issues.  This paper will describe the test facility and some early operating experience using iron-based oxygen carrier materials.  Operating experience has indicated very good gas phase mass balances, but significant improvements are required for solids handling and control.  Specific attention will be given to process upset conditions that are a significant source of oxygen carrier loss.  The magnitude and time-scales for these process upsets have been quantified for consideration in the design stage for these systems.