Simultaneous calcination and sintering of calcium based sorbents under a combustion atmosphere

Abstract

Changes in surface area during the calcination of calcium based sorbents were measured for two limestones and one dolomite that were calcined in a drop tube reactor, under an atmosphere of CO2, O2, H2O and N2. Particle size ranged from 75 to 106 μm, and calcination was conducted at temperatures between 1123 and 1323 K, and residence times between 0.2 and 0.9 s. The evolution of surface area was modelled using a simultaneous calcination and sintering model. By fitting the model to experimental results, it was possible to employ measured calcination rates and surface area data to estimate the apparent sintering rates of the three sorbents under a combustion atmosphere.