Modeling of circulating fluidized beds systems for post-combustion CO2 capture via temperature swing adsorption

Abstract

The technology of circulating fluidized beds (CFBs) is applied to temperature swing adsorption (TSA) processes for post-combustion CO2 capture employing a commercial zeolite sorbent. Steady state operation is simulated through a one-dimensional model, which combines binary adsorption with the CFB dynamics. Both single step and multi-step arrangements are investigated. Extensive sensitivity analyses are performed varying the operating conditions, in order to assess the influence of the main operational parameters. The results reveal a neat superiority of multi-step configurations over the standard one, in terms of both separation performance and efficiency. Compared to fixed-bed TSA systems, CFB TSA features a high compactness degree. However, product purity levels are limited compared to the best performing fixed-bed processes, and heat management within the system appears to be a major issue. As regards energy efficiency, CFB systems place themselves in between the most established absorption-based technologies and the fixed-bed TSA.