Fluidized bed calcium looping: the effect of SO2 on sorbent attrition and CO2 capture capacity

The CO2 capture capacity and the extent of particle attrition during simulated calcium looping cycles in a fluidized bed were studied, focusing on the influence of SO2 in the flue gas. Five calcination/carbonation cycles were carried out with a reference limestone using different SO2 concentrations during carbonation. The CO2 capture capacity decreased with the cycles, as expected. The presence of SO2 had a detrimental effect, but the SO2 level affected the capacity less than anticipated. In-bed particle fragmentation was always limited, while attrition rate decreased with the number of cycles and was only slightly affected by the presence of SO2.