Continuous CO2 capture performance of K2CO3/Al2O3 sorbents in a novel integrated bubbling-transport fluidized reactor

Using solid sorbents for CO2 capture is a promising technology. The temperature swing adsorption feature of such a process requires both sufficient gas-sorbent contact time and an adjustable sorbent circulation rate between reactors, which cannot be easily realized by fluidized beds with single regimes. This paper proposes a novel integrated bubbling-transport fluidized bed adsorber and examines its CO2 capture performance using K2CO3/Al2O3 sorbents. The optimal adsorption temperature falls in the range from 60 to 100 °C, which is a much wider range than that in traditional reactors. The CO2 capture efficiency increases with the sorbent circulation rate, static bed height, water vapor concentration, and desorption temperature. Based on the 24 h continuous test, the adsorber stability is verified as the CO2 capture efficiency is maintained at a high level with limited sorbent abrasion ratio.