Conversion characteristics of lignite and petroleum coke in chemical looping combustion coupled with an annular carbon stripper

Abstract Chemical looping combustion (CLC) of solid fuels was studied in a 30 kW dual fluidized-bed system coupled with an annular carbon stripper for char separation by using a kaolin-promoted manganese ore oxygen carrier. Two solid fuels, a lignite and a petroleum coke, were tested in the CLC unit. The CLC unit was operated continuously for more than 160 h. The effects of the fuel size and residence time in the fuel reactor on the carbon capture efficiency and oxygen demand were investigated. The char separation efficiency of the annular carbon stripper reached 90%, and a maximum carbon capture efficiency of 97% was achieved for the 106–212 μm lignite. The carbon capture efficiency was affected by the fuel particle size and residence time. When >212 μm lignite particles were used, there was a ~ 12% oxygen demand. The carbon capture efficiency in the experiment with petroleum coke was only 45% due to the slow gasification rate. A model was applied to analyze the influence of key factors on the carbon capture efficiency. The redox kinetics of the tested oxygen carrier were studied by a micro-fluidized bed thermogravimetric analysis method.