SENA ERKENT

Investigation Of CO₂ Adsorption By Demolition Waste in a Fluidized Bed: Effect of Operational Parameters

Abstract

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have been increasing significantly due to the extensive use of fossil fuels, leading to a continuous rise in global temperatures. Therefore, the development of effective CO₂ capture and storage technologies has become an urgent priority. Large-scale combustion facilities are among the primary targets for carbon capture applications, as they emit substantial amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Among available technologies, post-combustion capture is widely preferred because it enables the removal of CO₂ directly from flue gas streams and can be integrated into existing facilities without requiring major modifications to combustion systems. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the CO₂ capture potential of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) derived from construction and demolition waste (CDW) using a laboratory-scale fluidized bed system. Adsorption experiments were conducted at 25, 50, and 150 °C under different contact times and bed heights, in a 13% CO₂ atmosphere to simulate flue gas conditions. The maximum CO₂ uptake reached 0.069 g CO₂/g CDW at 150 °C. Furthermore, mineralogical (XRD), elemental (EDS), and morphological (SEM) analyses were also performed to elucidate the capture mechanism. The results confirmed that CO₂ capture primarily occurs through the carbonation of portlandite, as evidenced by the formation of aragonite. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of RCA as a low-cost adsorbent for CO₂ capture from post-combustion gases.

Biography

Sena Erkent is currently a PhD student in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Süleyman Demirel University (2025–ongoing). She received her M.Sc. degree in Environmental Engineering from the same university in 2024 and completed her B.Sc. degree in 2021. Her research interests include carbon capture and storage, co-combustion of biomass and coal, fluidized bed systems, and the valorization of waste materials for environmental applications. She has been involved in TÜBİTAK funded research projects as a research fellow, contributing to experimental studies, data analysis, and technical reporting.