A carbonator model for CO2 capture based on results from pilot tests. Part II: Deactivation and reaction model

Carbonate looping (CaL) is a promising technology for CO₂ capture from carbon-intensive processes. The performance of CaL strongly depends on sorbent kinetics and carrying capacity. In this work, we present a novel particle sub-model to predict the carbonation behavior of CaO for CO₂ capture in a CaL process. The sub-model deals with sorbent deactivation and reaction kinetics. We follow an original approach to non-ideal calcination and introduce a new calculation methodology for sorbent aging that considers fluctuations in sorbent circulation and make-up rates. The sub-model presented in this article is used in conjunction with the reactor model of Part I [1] to predict the CO₂ capture efficiency of a CaL pilot plant. The results of the particle sub-model were validated with experimental data from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pilot tests at the 300-kWth scale. Our study provides new insights for more accurately selecting assumptions and better modeling sorbent behavior in CaL systems.