One-Dimensional Heterogeneous Reaction Model of a Drop-Tube Carbonator Reactor for Thermochemical Energy Storage Applications

Evgenios Karasavvas, Athanasios Scaltsoyiannes, Andy Antzaras, Kyriakos Fotiadis, Kyriakos Panopoulos, Angeliki Lemonidou, Spyros Voutetakis and Simira Papadopoulou
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Evgenios Karasavvas: Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), P.O. Box 60361, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Athanasios Scaltsoyiannes: Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), P.O. Box 472, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Andy Antzaras: Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), P.O. Box 472, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Kyriakos Fotiadis: Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), P.O. Box 60361, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Kyriakos Panopoulos: Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), P.O. Box 60361, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Angeliki Lemonidou: Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), P.O. Box 472, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Spyros Voutetakis: Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), P.O. Box 60361, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Simira Papadopoulou: Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), P.O. Box 60361, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-24

Abstract: Calcium looping systems constitute a promising candidate for thermochemical energy storage (TCES) applications, as evidenced by the constantly escalating scientific and industrial interest. However, the technologically feasible transition from the research scale towards industrial and highly competitive markets sets as a prerequisite the optimal design and operation of the process, especially corresponding reactors. The present study investigates for the first time the development of a detailed, one-dimensional mathematical model for the steady-state simulation of a novel drop-tube carbonator reactor as a core equipment unit in a concentrated solar power (CSP)-thermochemical energy storage integration plant. A validated kinetic mathematical model for a carbonation reaction (CaO (s) + CO 2(g) → CaCO 3(s) ) focused on thermochemical energy storage conditions was developed and implemented for different material conditions. The fast gas–solid reaction kinetics conformed with the drop-tube reactor concept, as the latter is suitable for very fast reactions. Reaction kinetics were controlled by the reaction temperature. Varying state profiles were computed across the length of the reactor by using a mathematical model in which reactant conversions, the reaction rate, and the temperature and velocity of gas and solid phases provided crucial information on the carbonator’s performance, among other factors. Through process simulations, the model-based investigation approach revealed respective restrictions on a tailor-made reactor of 10 kW th , pointing out the necessity of detailed models as a provision for design and scale-up studies.

Keywords: carbonator reactor model; calcium-looping (CaL); concentrated solar power (CSP); random pore model; 1D modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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