System and method for oxygen carrier assisted oxy-fired fluidized bed combustion

An apparatus for combustion of a fuel comprising:

• i) a combustion chamber;
• ii) a bed material comprising at least a first material and a second material;
• iii) means for introducing oxygen into the combustion chamber with or without a moderating gas;
• iv) means for introducing the fuel into the combustion chamber;
• v) means for capturing carbon dioxide gas produced in the combustion chamber;
• vi) means for transferring heat produced by combustion of the fuel out of the combustion chamber;
• vii) means for introducing the first material and the second material into the combustion chamber;
• and
• viii) means for removing a portion of the second material which is elutriated by the gas introduced into the chamber;
• wherein the first material comprises particles having a first minimum transport velocity and the second material comprising particles having a second minimum transport velocity, and wherein the minimum transport velocity of the particles of the first material is greater than the minimum transport velocity of the particles of the second material;
• wherein the first material comprises an oxygen carrier capable of transferring oxygen to and from gases in the combustion chamber generated by the localized or distributed partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon fuel;
• wherein the second material comprises a sorbent which is capable of adsorbing sulphur containing compounds;
• and
• wherein the means for introducing the oxygen and optionally the moderating gas is arranged such that introduction of the oxygen and optionally the moderating gas into the combustion chamber fluidizes the bed material and elutriates the portion of the second material.