Rotary regenerative chemical looping combustion

Abstract

Chemical looping combustion of coal utilizing a rotating regenerative assembly to expose coal particles to alternating conditions of oxidation and regeneration.

1 . A method of chemical looping combustion, comprising: passing a stream of solid coal particles by a heated metal or metal oxide substrate or substrates of a rotating regenerative assembly and exposing the coal particles materials and the substrate or substrates to alternating conditions of oxidation and regeneration, such that at least a portion of the coal particles pyrolyze, gasify, and combust within the rotating regenerative assembly. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein another portion of the coal particles do not combust within the rotating regenerative assembly and exit the rotary regenerative environment as solid partially reacted char that continues to burn in an oxidizing environment downstream of the rotating regenerative assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the partially reacted char, after experiencing residence time for burnout, is directed to an environmental control system of either a new or existing power station for removal of combustion products including particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method operates in a continuous manner. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method operates in a continuous manner. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the method operates in a continuous manner. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary regenerative assembly is configured to provide a residence time for the coal particles of at least 0.15 seconds. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the rotary regenerative assembly is configured to provide a residence time for the coal particles of at least 0.15 seconds. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the rotary regenerative assembly is configured to provide a residence time for the coal particles of at least 0.15 seconds. 
   
   
       10 . A rotary regenerative chemical looping combustion apparatus configured to oxidize coal particles at atmospheric pressure. 
   
   
       11 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising materials for absorbing and regenerating oxygen selected from Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, and/or Ni. 
   
   
       12 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a carrier material selected from Al and/or Ti. 
   
   
       13 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a carrier material selected from grid, honeycomb, plate, and/or corrugated geometries. 
   
   
       14 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is configured for continuous operation. 
   
   
       15 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a residence time for coal particles of at least 0.15 seconds. 
   
   
       16 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide a residence time for coal particles of at least 0.15 seconds. 
   
   
       17 . A method of retrofitting an operating coal-fired power plant, comprising: retrofitting a coal-fired power station with regenerative chemical looping such that the coal-fired power plant passes a stream of solid coal particles by a heated metal or metal oxide substrate or substrates of a rotating regenerative assembly and exposes the coal particles materials and the substrate or substrates to alternating conditions of oxidation and regeneration, such that at least a portion of the coal particles pyrolyze, gasify, and combust within the rotating regenerative assembly; and such that another portion of the coal particles do not combust within the rotating regenerative assembly and exit the rotary regenerative assembly as solid particle char that continues to burn in an oxidizing environment downstream of the rotating regenerative assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method operates in a continuous manner. 
   
   
       19 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the rotary regenerative assembly is configured to provide a residence time for the coal particles of at least 0.15 seconds. 
   
   
       20 . The rotary regenerative apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the rotary regenerative assembly is configured to provide a residence time for the coal particles of at least 0.15 seconds.