With the growing concerns of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy conversion processes, continuous research is being conducted to develop alternative solutions to meet the world energy demand while reducing environmental impacts. The syngas chemical looping (SCL) process has the potential to efficiently generate a clean energy source from gasified fossils fuels and/or biomass while sequestering the carbon dioxide released. The SCL process can be divided into three reactors; the reducer, where syngas is converted to CO2; the oxidizer, where steam reacts with the reduced particles to generate H2; and the combustor, where air is used to fully oxidize the particles.
In this research work, the SCL sub-pilot system was constructed, automated, and examined. A detailed discussion over the reactor design was provided. Modification to the system design was also performed to increase the reactor reliability and performance generating promising preliminary demonstration results. Further work will be done with the sub-pilot to ensure a successful long duration (>100 hrs) demonstration, study pollutant (NOx, SOx) effects on the particles, and support the next scale pilot plant operation.