In a significant stride towards greener steel production, researchers have developed inexpensive composite oxygen carriers that could revolutionize the utilization of coke oven gas (COG) and slash CO2 emissions in the steel industry. This breakthrough, published in the journal “Fuel Processing Technology” (translated from its original title), offers a promising avenue for chemical looping combustion (CLC), a technology poised to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
The study, led by Xinghe Liu from Shenzhen Guangqian Electric Power Co., LTD., introduces two novel oxygen carriers: CuFe20M and CuFe20C. These carriers are crafted from readily available materials—copper ore, iron ore, and either montmorillonite or cement—and produced at an industrial scale using extrusion-spheronization and hydroforming methods, respectively. The researchers evaluated the combustion performance of these carriers using COG in a fixed-bed reactor, uncovering critical insights into their efficiency and stability.
“Our findings demonstrate that the reaction temperature plays a pivotal role in the performance of these oxygen carriers,” Liu explained. The study revealed that both CuFe20M and CuFe20C achieved peak methane (CH4) conversion rates of approximately 96% at 900°C. However, temperatures exceeding this threshold led to increased carbon deposition, diminishing carbon capture efficiency. The researchers also noted that higher fuel gas flow rates suppressed carbon deposition, enhancing carbon capture efficiency, while shorter reaction times reduced CO2 yield.
The long-period CLC tests of COG highlighted the superior stability and reactivity of the hydroforming-derived CuFe20C oxygen carrier compared to its extrusion-spheronization-derived counterpart, CuFe20M. Under optimal conditions, CuFe20C achieved an average CH4 conversion of 98.24% and CO conversion of 95.35%, along with higher CO2 yield and lower carbon deposition. These results underscore the potential of CuFe20C as a cost-effective and efficient solution for CLC of COG.
The implications of this research are far-reaching for the energy sector. By enabling more efficient and environmentally friendly utilization of COG, these inexpensive composite oxygen carriers could significantly reduce CO2 emissions in steel production. This advancement aligns with global efforts to transition towards cleaner energy technologies and highlights the importance of innovative materials and processes in achieving sustainability goals.
As the steel industry continues to seek ways to minimize its environmental impact, the development of affordable and effective oxygen carriers like CuFe20C represents a crucial step forward. This research not only provides a practical solution for enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions but also paves the way for further advancements in chemical looping combustion technologies. The findings offer a compelling case for the adoption of these innovative materials in industrial applications, potentially reshaping the future of energy production in the steel sector.