Development of CaO-based CO₂ sorbents for in-situ and ex-situ high temperature applications

The main objective of research activities in this area is the development of CaO-based CO₂ sorbents with high CO₂ sorption capacity and stability of performance through multiple sorption/desorption cycles. Among the already developed or currently emerging technologies for CO₂ separation, the use of solid CaO-based CO₂ sorbents show high potential for successful commercialization. The developed sorbents are evaluated for their sorption capacity for both in-situ and ex-situ applications, such as

• the intensified sorption enhanced chemical looping steam methane reforming (SE-CL-SMR) process for production of high purity H₂ in single step with reduced energy demands

• and the post-combustion CO₂ separation from the flue gases.

Research activities include advanced synthesis techniques of synthetic sorbents, modifications of natural limestone and dolomite and preliminary testing of sorption capacity in multiple cycling employing thermogravimetric analysis, coupled with basic morphological and structural characterization, in order to identify the physical properties critical for high capacity and stability. The materials are also evaluated in bench scale tests (fixed or fluid bed reactors) under realistic conditions in the actual processes under study.