Evaluation of oxyfuel technology as CO2 capture option in coal combustion

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assess one of the possible technological options of CO2 capture through the technology of oxy-combustion in order to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions,that is the main greenhouse gas that contributes to increase the global warming. Particularly, we focused this issue in the case of Spain, where is being developed a project which consists in the construction of a test facility for advanced technologies for CO2 capture in coal power generation. The general design criteria of El Bierzo Test Facility has the following main characteristics: modularity: layout as independent but interconnected modules (combustion, oxy-combustion, flue gas treatment…) allowing simultaneous or separate operation for independent study of processes; flexibility: possibility of operation under a wide range of operating conditions, including different coals and combustions from air mode to oxymode; integration: designed to study full process integration of the different units and systems; efficiency: conceived giving great importance to heat integration and performance optimisation without putting into compromise requirements for flexible testing.Extension: layout allowing for extensions at a later stage in line with any technological progress and/or strategic development; safety: risk analysis assessment (hazop methodology) to be performed to improve safety and operability of the process and safety instrumented systems (sis) will fulfil requirements of functional safety standards; monitoring: comprehensive and advanced in-furnace monitoring of the combustion and CO2 capture processes. Concerning to the design criteria the conclusion is that, in particular, the modularity, flexibility, monitoring and control capabilities and the planned lay-out, allowing for extensions at a later stage in line with any technological progress and/or strategic developments is well taken care of. As regards to the plant configuration, we can conclude that the installation offers the possibility of operating under a wide range of selected operating conditions, particularly in different degrees of oxicombustion (from air to pure oxygen), allowing for the simulation of different scenarios of the operation of pulverized coal power stations. This would offer the possibility to obtain useful results and conclusions towards the potential application on utility scale.