Pre-feasibility study tools for the assessment of CO2 capture from biomass technologies = Herramientas de estudio para la evaluación preliminar de la factibilidad de tecnologías de captura de CO2 a partir de biomasa

Abstract

The use of biomass for energy generation has recently become a feasible option as a possible source of renewable energy with the potential of achieving negative CO2 emissions through carbon capture techniques, which have been categorised as BECCS (Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage). The resulting proliferation of BECCS investigation and development has nowadays led to the existence of several available technologies that offer different characteristics, constraints and degrees of technical maturity. This technological variety has created the need to develop a suitable tool to properly select the alternative that best adapts to the requirements of any given commercial-scale biomass project. In collaboration with Engie Laborelec, a BECCS selection guideline tool that comprises all currently available technologies has been developed by assessing an array of key performance indicators (KPIs) in relation with common biomass project objectives and restrictions, applied to each BECCS alternative. This tool allowed the selection of two different technological pathways, identified as the most promising for a wide range of project circumstances: Oxy-combustion using pure oxygen from an electrolyser for bio-fuel production and Pre-combustion CO2 capture through physical absorption from biomass syngas. For the further assessment of these technologies, being represented through suitable case studies, a preliminary block-flow Microsoft Excel mass and energy balance model has been developed and customised for each considered scenario. The use of this model for the simulation of different case studies has led to the procurement of diverse results and estimations that can be utilised as insights in the early design stages of a BECCS project.