Abstract:
Chemical looping combustion is a new and efficient carbon capture technology. The Cu−Fe composite oxygen carriers have high reactivity, good cycle stability and environmental friendliness, but the preparation cost is high. Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) fly ash, which is rich in SiO
2 and Al
2O
3, is a potential low-cost support. Using circulating fluidized bed (CFB) fly ash as the support, Fe
2O
3 and CuO as active components, Ca(OH)
2 as the activator to activate the pozzolanic activity of CFB fly ash, non-calcined Cu−Fe composite oxygen carrier particles were prepared by extrusion-spheronization method, and the oxygen carrier particles were naturally cured to improve the strength. Firstly, the effect of CuO content (1%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%) on the mechanical property of Cu−Fe composite oxygen carriers was analyzed. It was found that the compressive strength of oxygen carriers increased obviously with the increase of natural curing time. With the increase of CuO content, the compressive strength of oxygen carriers increased first and then decreased. When the CuO content was 5%, the compressive strength was the largest and the wear rate was the smallest, implying the mechanical property was the best. Secondly, the effect of CuO content (3%, 5%, 8%) on the reactivity of Cu−Fe composite oxygen carrier was investigated. The CH
4 conversion rates of oxygen carriers with 5% and 8% CuO contents were similar, which was significantly higher than that oxygen carrier with 3% CuO content. The CO
2 selectivity of three oxygen carriers in 20 cycles was more than 80%, and carbon deposition selectivity was less than 20%. The comprehensive performance of oxygen carrier with 5% CuO was the best with good mechanical property and reactivity. Finally, the structure characterization of Cu−Fe composite oxygen carriers was analyzed. The addition of CuO active component can form CuFe
2O
4, which was conducive to improving the reactivity of oxygen carriers. No pulverization of oxygen carrier particles occurred after 20 cycles, but the sintering was obvious, decreasing the cycle stability.