Engineering design and computational particle fluid dynamics simulation of a 10 MWth CH4-fueled chemical looping combustion reactor

Abstract

The chemical looping combustion (CLC) technology, known for its capability to achieve in-situ CO₂ separation during fuel combustion, is recognized as one of the most promising carbon capture technologies currently available. CLC technology has recently transitioned from laboratory research to engineering demonstration. To explore the characteristics of the CLC process, an engineering design methodology is established, leading to the design of a 10 MW_th CLC unit. A comprehensive computational particle fluid dynamics (CPFD) simulation of this 10 MW_th CLC reactor is conducted at full scale, offering detailed hydrodynamic information on gas-solid two-phase reactive flow within the reactor. Pressure balance, flow patterns, and the distribution of various gas components are sequentially analyzed. Crucial multiphase-flow parameters, including gas phase distribution, solid phase distribution, and pressure distribution within the reactor, are acquired, supplementing important details that are usually challenging to obtain in experiments. The results reveal that an automatically-established pressure balance within the system, with the solid circulation rate at the air reactor outlet of 113 kg/s, is attained. The methane conversion fluctuates between 80 and 90 %, achieving a carbon capture efficiency of over 95 %. The lower loop-seal effectively isolates the atmospheres between the air reactor and fuel reactor. The simulation results align well with these of the engineering design, validating the reliability of the engineering design.