Investigation of the performance of strontium oxide in carbonation–calcination looping for CO₂ capture by the process simulation

Carbonation–calcination looping is a promising adsorption technique for separating carbon dioxide from the flue gas by solid sorbents to overcome global warming as one of the biggest environmental challenges in recent decades. In the present study, the performance of strontium oxide as an appropriate candidate for carbon dioxide capture is investigated by simulation of the carbonation–calcination looping process. The simulation results show that the energy efficiency of strontium oxide in carbonation–calcination looping is higher than the process’s conventional adsorbent (calcium oxide) and the released heat in strontium oxide-carbonation–calcination looping is 5.83% more than calcium oxide-carbonation–calcination looping. This results in greater steam generation in the power plant cycle compared to calcium oxide. Furthermore, a higher carbonation reaction temperature (900–1200 °C) for strontium oxide, compared to that of calcium oxide, leads to increased heat engine efficiency. The impact of important operating parameters including carbonator reactor temperature, flue gas flow rate, inlet carbon dioxide mole fraction, and makeup ratio is also considered.