Chemical Engineering & Technology

Chemical looping combustion is an innovative combustion method for CO₂ capture. A cold model of an interconnected fluidized-bed system was designed and evaluated in order to investigate the fluid dynamic behavior and operating conditions were optimized. Quick start and stable operation of the unit was found under most conditions and no gas leakages between the fuel reactor and air reactor were detected.

In order to perform CO₂ separation from gas mixtures, mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) containing polydimethylsiloxane as continuous phase and zeolite ZSM-5 as dispersed phase have been prepared and analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the MMMs significantly increase the permeability of single gases. The performance of the membrane has been evaluated using a modified Maxwell model.

Carbon membranes have proved to be promising candidates for CO₂ separation from flue gas streams. The permeation and separation performance of an ultra-microporous carbon membrane for separation of CO₂/N₂ mixtures was studied with pure gases and a CO₂/N₂ gas mixture. The membrane provided high selectivity and permeability for CO₂ in the mixture with N₂.