Characterization of an Australia hematite oxygen carrier in chemical looping combustion with coal

► In this study we investigate the capability of an Australia hematite to process coal as fuel in a 1 kWth CLC reactor. ► At 950 °C, there were neither hydrocarbons heavier than CH4 nor tars in the exit of the fuel reactor. ► The carbon conversion efficiency was 81.2%, and the loss rate of this hematite oxygen carrier due to attrition is 0.0625%/h. ► No tendency of decreased reactivity of the hematite oxygen carrier was observed during 10 h of operation. ► The char gasification efficiency increased by 3.4% with 3 wt.% Ni-based particles addition at 950 °C.