Abstract

Increasing energy demand and the challenges of over dependence on carbon-based fuel as primary energy sources, has spiked the need for alternative energy sources around the globe. Chemical looping reforming processes and the advancement in oxygen carrier materials is explored in this research study. Chemical looping reforming is an emerging energy conversion technique suitable for advance energy conversion process with inherent CO2 separation. The concept could also be adapted for the production of hydrogen which is a striking energy carrier due to its potentially high energy efficiency and low pollutants emission that can provide carbon free energy for transportation fuel and power generation. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the recent advances in oxygen carrier materials such as Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Cerium (Ce), Carbon (CO) and Oxygen (O) reforming for hydrogen production were assessed. The primary compounds and optimized CLR processes were examined and the critical challenges of generating optimum hydrogen purity including the solutions are examined. The key findings of this study showed that oxygen carrier materials are crucial for the overall performance of chemical looping process, thus, significantly enhancing the efficiency of the scheme for hydrogen purity and other end products from the process.

Key words: Chemical Looping, Reforming Processes, Recent Advances, Oxygen Carrier Development.