Modeling and design of a calciner for commercial-scale CO2 capture using stochastic methods and results from pilot tests

• We introduce improved indicators for calciner assessment and design. • Stochastic methodology used to consider all relevant design specifications. • We offer a three-step guideline for designing an optimized calciner. • Operating the indirectly heated calciner at 950 °C ensures high performance. • Using steam lowers the operating temperatures by over 50 K. Carbonate looping (CaL) is a CO 2 capture technology with the potential to efficiently decarbonize power plants and carbon-intensive industries, such as cement and lime production. Many pilot tests have demonstrated the feasibility of operating CaL in oxy-fuel and indirect-heating (IHCaL) modes. Still, there is no commercial facility in operation or planning. To support the scale-up of the technology, reliable reactor models are required. However, little progress has been made in calciner modeling in recent years. The available models are either too demanding in terms of computation complexity or lack support from empirical data. In this work, we develop a novel calciner model by combining a particle sub-model with a one-dimensional reactor sub-model. The model is validated with results from experiments in two different pilot plants in the 300-kW th and 1-MW th scales. The predictions of the model are interpreted using stochastic methods and dimensionless numbers. Furthermore, we introduce a three-step approach to designing calciners for CO 2 capture. Calciners with oxy-fuel combustion should be operated at 930–965 °C to achieve sufficient sorbent regeneration. For indirectly heated calciners, an operating temperature of 950 °C is necessary for high performance, but lower temperatures (e.g., 900 °C) are also possible using steam for fluidization. Considerations regarding particle residence time are also discussed. Our guidelines are straightforward and enable the design of a calciner with simple calculations.