Techno-Economic Assessment of IGCC Power Plants Using Gas Switching Technology to Minimize the Energy Penalty of CO2 Capture

Abstract

Cost-effective CO2 capture and storage (CCS) is critical for the rapid global decarbonization effort recommended by climate science. The increase in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of plants with CCS is primarily associated to the large energy penalty involved in CO2 capture. This study therefore evaluates three high-efficiency CCS concepts based on integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC): (1) gas switching combustion (GSC), (2) GSC with added natural gas firing (GSC-AF) to increase the turbine inlet temperature, and (3) oxygen production pre-combustion (OPPC) that replaces the air separation unit (ASU) with more efficient gas switching oxygen production (GSOP) reactors. Relative to a supercritical pulverized coal benchmark, these options returned CO2 avoidance costs of 37.8, 22.4 and 37.5 €/ton (including CO2 transport and storage), respectively. Thus, despite the higher fuel cost and emissions associated with added natural gas firing, the GSC-AF configuration emerged as the most promising solution. This advantage is maintained even at CO2 prices of 100 €/ton, after which hydrogen firing can be used to avoid further CO2 cost escalations. The GSC-AF case also shows lower sensitivity to uncertain economic parameters such as discount rate and capacity factor, outperforms other clean energy benchmarks, offers flexibility benefits for balancing wind and solar power, and can achieve significant further performance gains from the use of more advanced gas turbine technology. Based on all these insights, the GSC-AF configuration is identified as a promising solution for further development.

Directions for Sustainable Development of China’s Coal Industry in the Post-Epidemic Era

“…In an IGCC system, fuel is gasified and burned in a combined cycle gas turbine to generate electricity [52]. Huaneng Tianjin IGCC Power Plant, which began construction in September 2009, is the first self-designed and constructed IGCC power plant in China and, in November 2012, it was put into commercial operation.…”

CO2 Capture and Sequestration

“…It has been shown that with the existing knowledge in the literature, one can estimate capture costs based on the amount of CO 2 captured and the technologies used in CO 2 capture technology. In the paper by Szima et al [16], it has been pointed out that increased levelized electricity costs within CCS projects are associated with significant energy penalties involved in CO 2 capture. Consequently, Szima et al evaluated three CCS approaches that rely on integrated gasification combined cycles: (i) gas switching combustion (GSC), (ii) GSC with added natural gas firing to increase the turbine inlet temperature, and (iii) oxygen production pre-combustion that replaces the air separation unit with more efficient gas switching oxygen production reactors.…”

Bioenergy in the European energy transition

“…Considering the projected role of BECCS, it is worthwhile checking the technical and socio-political implications of the projected results compared to the current development for CCS across the three major technological steps at the EU27 & UK level (Table 5.3). 222,223 . Directfiring in large-scale pellet boilers requires post-combustion capture of the flue gases.…”