Analysis of a precipitating solvent absorption process for reducing CO2 emissions from black coal fired power generation

Abstract Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that has the potential to provide deep cuts in CO 2 emissions from coal-fired power generation. This paper describes retrofitting the CO2CRC's low cost “UNO MK 3” precipitating potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ) process to a 335 MW (net) black coal-fired subcritical power station, typical of those in Australia. The use of heat integration to reduce the net energy penalty of retrofitting CO 2 capture is also studied and the modifications required to the steam cycle for these cases are outlined. Retrofitting the UNO MK 3 process has a smaller energy penalty compared with amine-based processes. Heat integration strategies can reduce this energy penalty by an additional 20%. To further reduce the impact of CO 2 capture on the net output of the power station, the option of partial capture of CO 2 is also described here. In the partial capture case, the CO 2 emissions intensity of the coal-fired power station is equivalent to that of a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power station. A detailed cost analysis of various cases of CO 2 capture with and without heat integration is also performed. The results suggest that compared to standard amine-based solvent technologies, the UNO MK 3 process can provide up to 50% cost savings in the cost of CO 2 avoided. The levelised cost of electricity also reduces by up to 35% using UNO MK 3 compared to commercial amine-based solvent technologies.

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