Multiscale model for steam enhancement effect on the carbonation of CaO particle

A multiscale model including scales at the surface, grain, and particle was developed to understand the steam enhancement mechanism on the carbonation of CaO particle. The interaction of H2O with CaO occurring at the surface scale exhibited an enhancement effect on the product layer diffusion at the grain scale, while the grain growth due to the product layer diffusion at the grain scale exhibited an important effect on the pore structure and intraparticle gas diffusion at the particle scale. The developed multiscale model was validated with the experimental data, and the effect of steam addition on carbonation performance was discussed. The effect of steam on CaO carbonation at higher temperatures (600 ~ 700 °C) was much less significant than that at lower temperatures (400 ~ 500 °C), due to the pore plugging phenomenon. In addition, the controlling step of the carbonation in the presence of steam was analyzed. Calculated results show that the external gas diffusion resistance is small enough during the reaction process. The controlling step of the carbonation at 400 °C is the chemical reaction step, while the controlling step of the carbonation at 700 °C is the intraparticle gas diffusion step. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.