The flow and fluidisation properties of dry mixtures of highly cohesive Ca(OH)2 fine powder with silica nanopowder were studied with a view to improve the performance of CO2 adsorption by Ca(OH)2 in fluidized bed carbonators. We will show how the light agglomerates of the silica nanopowder act as dispersants for the Ca(OH)2 fine cohesive particles, which end coating the silica agglomerates, presumably by means of contact charging. As a result, Ca(OH)2 particles are provided with a vehicle for homogeneous fluidization, which greatly increases the gas-solid contact efficiency in the fluidized bed.

As a consequence the CO2 adsorption rate by the cohesive Ca(OH)2 particles is enhanced as demonstrated by experimental results.