Post-combustion CO2 capture is considered essential for the mitigation of global warming. Temperature swing adsorption (TSA) for CO2 capture from flue gas has already been demonstrated in bench-scale, and one demonstration plant is starting, using multiple-stage fluidised beds.
The motivation of this research is to develop design criteria for TSA for biomass-derived gases containing about 10 -15 % CO2 at large scales. To this end, it is proposed to combine chemical process analysis and optimisation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques, topology optimisation and experimental data on the thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption for biomass CO2.
Chemical process analysis yields optimum process configuration, temperatures, pressures in each sorption and desorption stages. The stage design issue is addressed with detailed phenomenological studies with CFD and with topology optimisation methods.
The topological optimisation method is an extremely generic tool for optimising material distribution within a domain and, in the last decades, it has presented significant advances both in its implementation and in the possibility of exploring existing manufacturing methods.
The adsorbent flow path and the distribution of heat transfer elements in each gas-solid contacting stage will be determined to maximise the system capacity and the gas-solid contact, as well as to minimise undesirable thermal effects of the adsorption and desorption processes and the power needed for fluidisation. The actual behaviour of the sorbent with biomass-derived flue gases will be studied both theoretically with thermodynamic models and experimentally by determination of sorption isotherms.
Based on the knowledge developed in this research, design guidelines for large-scale TSA processes will be proposed. Besides, the basis for the design of a “cold-flow” experimental unit will be delivered at an early stage of the project, for future consolidation of the topological optimisation studies on the gas and solid flows within the adsorption stages.
The knowledge developed in this research will be beneficial to the Brazilian oil and gas industry, by paving the way to future projects for energy generation with negative carbon emission. Given Brazilian favourable conditions for biomass-based energy, the research will help strengthen the national oil and gas industry in a global perspective.
Goals:
- To integrate smart materials such as IPMCs in the LS design;
- To consider the influence of parameters in the smart LS concept such as high shaft speed (order of 20,000 rpm and shaft radius 40 to 60 mm), different types of IPMC actuation and possible configurations of smart LS;
- To consider turbulent flow in the LS design.
- To create a schematic methodology for smart LS design.
- To manufacture and test prototypes comparing smart LS designs with traditional LS designs;
- To perform wear studies of smart LS designs.
TEAM
Marcelo Martins Seckler – Poli-USP