Chemical-Looping Combustion: An Emerging Carbon-Capture Technology

In chemical-looping combustion (CLC), oxygen is transferred from an air reactor to a fuel reactor by means of a solid oxygen carrier. Direct contact between air and fuel is avoided, resulting in an undiluted carbon dioxide (CO₂) exhaust stream. As such, CLC has been identified recently as a high-potential carbon-capture-and-storage technology. While initial focus has been on storage projects, CO₂ is increasingly considered as a valuable chemical substance for enhanced-oil-and-gas-recovery projects as well as for the production of chemicals, polymers, or building materials.

Introduction

Carbon capture, transport, use, and storage (CCTUS) form an important aspect of many national and global strategies to combat climate change.