Characteristics and CLOU Performance of a Novel SiO2‑Supported Oxygen Carrier Prepared from CuO and β‑SiC

An effective copper-based oxygen carrier for use in chemical looping with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) has been developed, and its physical and reactive properties have been evaluated. The preparation method involves coating β-SiC support material with CuO and then baking the coated material at 980 °C which causes the β-SiC to convert to SiO2, thus enveloping the CuO. Variations of the preparation technique, including different forms of SiC, methods of CuO addition, and the order of CuO addition and baking, were tested. It was determined that preparation by rotary evaporation CuO deposition and final sintering produced superior carrier particles. Loadings as high as 60 wt % CuO were achieved. The carrier particles fluidized well, and for loadings to 40 wt % CuO, no agglomeration was observed at temperatures as high as 1000 °C. The particles retained reactivity over many oxidation and reduction cycles. The coat-then-bake preparation method using β-SiC is a viable candidate to be used as oxygen carrying material in CLOU.