Numerical simulation of chemical looping combustion applying solar energy to a dual circulating fluidized bed reactor

This study presents a theoretical model for coupled flow and heat transfer processes in a dual circulating fluidized bed reactor for solar energy applications. A mathematical simulation of gas-solid two-phase flow is conducted using the Eulerian-Eulerian method, incorporating chemical reactions within the system. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is employed to simulate the integrated process of solar-assisted flow, heat transfer, and chemical reactions inside the reactor. The distribution patterns of particles and gas products, the heat transfer characteristics between the two reactors, and the transient behavior of particles in the solid recirculation loop are analyzed. The effects of varying solar radiation flux and air inlet velocity on the reactor's coupled flow and heat transfer characteristics are compared. Results indicate that particle volume fraction and particle velocity in the recirculation loop increase with higher radiation flux or air inlet velocity. Gas product concentrations also increase as the reaction proceeds, and higher solid particle temperatures are observed in regions with greater particle accumulation.