Page 80 - libroRicercaIinnovazione_2016

Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title CO capture on CaO at high temperature in fluidized 2 beds assisted by acoustic fields. Ref. CNR 10320 Assignee(s): CNR, University of Seville, University of Naples Federico II CNR Institute: IRC Main Inventor: Paola Ammendola Countries: ES Priority date: 22/02/2013 Abstract The present invention refers to a technology aiming to the improvement of the Ca­looping process based on the carbonation/calcination of CaO at high temperature in a fluidized bed, in order to capture the CO 2 generated by the combustion of fossil fuels. It consists in the application of acoustic fields inside the fluidized bed made of CaO particles, with sound intensity and frequency as high as about 150dB and 100Hz, respectively. This application allows the increase of the CO capture capacity of the material during the rapid phase of 2 carbonation and reduction of the loss of its capture capacity as a result of successive cycles of carbonation/calcination. The field of application of the present invention is related to energy and environment topics, in particular to the reduction of the atmospheric emissions of CO from exhaust gases. 2 Background The implementation of technologies at industrial level for the reduction of CO emissions from fossil fuels can 2 contribute to the mitigation of global warming. The post­combustion process of Ca­looping, based on the reversible reaction of carbonation (650°C)/calcination (900°C) of CaO in fluidized beds, is very promising. Its efficiency, however, is compromised by the degradation of the material and consequent reduction of its capture capacity as the number of cycles increases. Technology The application of acoustic fields in a fluidized bed can improve the gas­solid contact, maximizing, in turn, the heat and mass transfer between the exhaust gas containing CO and CaO particles of the bed. The 2 consequence is the increase of effectiveness of the Ca­looping process due to an improvement of the CO 2 capture in the carbonation phase and the regenerability of the material. Advantages and Applications The reference topics of the invention are the energy and environment, aiming to the reduction of CO 2 emissions. The proposed technology can be useful to improve the effectiveness of the fluidized bed Ca­looping process at industrial level, accelerating the carbonation of CaO and reducing the loss of its capture capacity. Acoustic fields can be easily realized by the use of low cost loud­speakers. Development stage The efficiency of the proposed technology has been validated at laboratory scale by means of an experimental apparatus equipped with a fluidized bed reactor (diameter of 50 mm) and a system for the generation of acoustic fields of suitable intensity and frequency with an ad­hoc sound wave guide. The experimental rig, 71 able to operate at temperatures up to 1000°C, is sketched in the attached picture.