CLC uses an oxygen carrier to transfer oxygen to the fuel and obtains CO2 in pure form inherently in the process. As CLC is not burdened with any separation work, it is uniquely applicable for carbon capture and can achieve negative emissions, when used with biomass.
It is my belief that one of the most effective ways to couple biomass energy and CCUS is to burn biomass or biofuels (i.e. pyrolysis oils, biogas and solid biomass) in a Chemical Looping Combustor, where CO2 can be easily captured after exiting the fuel reactor (see figure).
“To develop Carbon Sequestration Methods was identified by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) of the United States as one of the Grand Challenges for Engineering. This is a technology of paramount importance for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG5 (Climate Action).”