Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SOLPART (High Temperature Solar-Heated Reactors for Industrial Production of Reactive Particulates)
Teaser
The main objective of the SOLPART project is to develop, at pilot scale, a high temperature (950°C) 24h/day solar process suitable for particle treatment in energy intensive industries (e.g. cement and lime industries). The project aims at supplying totally or partially the...
Summary
The main objective of the SOLPART project is to develop, at pilot scale, a high temperature (950°C) 24h/day solar process suitable for particle treatment in energy intensive industries (e.g. cement and lime industries). The project aims at supplying totally or partially the thermal energy requirement for CaCO3 calcination by high temperature solar heat thus reducing the life cycle environmental impacts of the process and increasing the share of solar heat in process industries. Cement and lime industries are the second CO2 emitter after combustion worldwide (6% of global emission). This will be achieved by the demonstration of a pilot scale solar reactor suitable for calcium carbonate decomposition (CaCO3 = CaO + CO2) and hot CaO storage, TRL 4-5, thereby requiring a high-temperature transport and storage system. The system will operate at about 900°C and will include a 30 kWth solar reactor producing 30 kg/h CaO and a 16h CaO hot storage able to deliver 10 kg/h CaO. Life cycle environmental impacts of the solar-based solution in comparison with standard processes will be developed as well as economic evaluation. Thanks to the solar unit integration in the industrial process (potentially combined with CO2 capture), this should result in the considerable reduction of the carbon footprint of the CO2 emitter industries and open a new market for renewable energies.
Scope of the project
The specific objectives and main ideas. In addressing the topic LCE-02-2015 “Developing the next generation technologies of renewable electricity and heating/cooling†and specifically the second challenge on Concentrated Solar Power, SOLPART provides the new alternative and cost-effective process solutions based on technologies that can be integrated into industrial plants and processes. The proposed innovative concept develops and merges three advanced technologies: a high temperature solar reactor, a transport of high temperature solid materials and a storage tank of high temperature solid materials / intermediate products.
The overall methodology
The approach includes modelling and experimental parts in order to achieve the qualification of the proposed innovative solar technology. The experimental validation will be performed at two scales, lab-scale and pilot scale. The main idea of the approach is to develop an easily scalable solar reactor concept that may be used for various types of solid-gas chemical reactions and that may be integrated in existing plants. Combined with modeling, experimental results will be used to define the basic laws for scaling up.
The main deliverable
The main deliverable of the project is a pilot scale process starting from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 and ending at TRL 5 with the demonstration of the main building blocks, solar reactor and high temperature storage at pilot scale, and operation of a pilot scale loop over a relevant period of time in a continuous mode.
The use of the deliverable by others: The project results are supposed to be used in follow-on collaborative research project with the final goal to bring the technology to TRL 7 or 8. Within the dissemination and exploitation strategy, the research will be also transferred to as many industries as possible in order:
• To contribute to the development of high temperature solar receivers/reactors (materials and concepts);
• To raise awareness in the energy intensive solid processing industries;
• To enable the sustainable development of the technology;
• To develop sustainability for the continuation of the project after the EU-funding
Work performed
The work related to the “Assessment of technologies for solar particle processing and storage at high temperature†was completed. It includes the selection of critical thermodynamic and kinetic indicators for gas-solid reactions to be performed, the examination of possible solar reactors configuration, the definition of requirements for storage and conveying of hot particles. Fluidized bed and rotary reactors have been selected to be manufactured and tested at laboratory scale.
Three reactor prototypes (5-10 kW) have been tested at CNRS and DLR solar facilities. They are two fluidized bed designs for CNRS and one rotary kiln for DLR. Experimental campaign includes tests with non-reactive and reactive (carbonates) particles. Decarbonation of dolomite and cement raw mill were achieved. The fluidized bed technology was chosen for the pilot scale solar reactor but rotary kiln test campaign continues.
In the objective to integrate a solar calcination unit in a cement plant, technologies for hot solid conveying and storing were defined. In particular, a model for particle storage at high temperature (950°C) was developed in order to optimize the components (size, insulation).
A life cycle assessment tool (LCA) is developed and first application was proposed for the laboratory-scale solar reactors.
Communication actions have started with the construction of the web site and the edition of a brochure. The project contributes to the SPIRE initiative and has proposed communications at international conferences.
Final results
The project will achieve the development of a technology that produces 7.5 more lime than the state-of-the-art. The final TRL will be TRL 5 with the testing of a large-scale prototype unit including a solar reactor and a high temperature storage system. This unit, producing 30 kg/h lime, will enable to assess the issues link to the operation 24h/day during several days of such a solar thermochemical prototype.
Potential impact are related to CO2 emission, increase of solar heat share in industry and employment,
- Reduction of CO2 emission: potential of 1.6 billion ton CO2 per year, worldwide for cement industry
- Increase of solar heat share in industry: about 1 MWh/tonne CaO high temperature solar heat
- The cement industry provides about 61 000 direct jobs (and 245 000 to 365 000 indirect jobs, estimated) in Europe with a value of € 18 bn. For the European lime industry, the turnover is about € 2.5 billion, and numbers employed are estimated at 11 000
Website & more info
More info: http://www.solpart-project.eu/.