GHG Daily
2/22/2016
The use of copper as an oxygen carrier in chemical looping processes could increase the efficiency of the process, according to research being conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). “In our tests, a copper-based oxygen carrier was prepared and used in the chemical looping process,” NETL research scientist Ranjani Siriwardane explained in a Department of Energy press release. “It showed good solid circulation, good methane conversion and good heat management.”
Chemical looping, a process by which fossil fuels are deoxygenized through combustion with oxygen carriers and then reoxidized, can produce a nearly pure stream of easily captured CO2. However, at this point, the technology must be made more efficient to have a chance at widespread commercialization, according to the release.
“We conducted the tests at around 800 and 900°C. What we found was the design we developed can function in a chemical looping reactor more efficiently than traditional oxygen carriers,” Siriwardane said in the release. “It takes us closer to the possibility of deploying chemical looping on a large scale as a less expensive way to reduce CO2 emissions.”
