Continuous CO₂ Capture in a 1-MW_th Carbonate Looping Pilot Plant

The carbonate looping process is an efficient technology for post-combustion CO₂ capture from fossil-fired power plants. Testing campaigns with continuous CO₂ capture were performed in a 1-MW_th carbonate looping pilot plant at the Technische Universität Darmstadt. During two distinguished experimental campaigns the heat for the regeneration of the calcium-based sorbent in the calciner was provided by propane combustion and combustion of pulverized hard coal, respectively. For several hours of operation, the CO₂ concentration in the flue gas was reduced to chemical equilibrium conditions. High overall CO₂ capture efficiencies above 90 % were achieved.