Comparison of CO2 Capture Approaches for Fossil-Based Power Generation: Review and Meta-Study

Thomas Adams Ii,Ikenna Okeke,Pranav Madabhushi,Leila Hoseinzade

doi:10.3390/pr5030044

Thomas Adams Ii, Ikenna Okeke + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pr5030044

Copy DOI

Journal: Processes	Publication Date: Aug 14, 2017
Citations: 60	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: McMaster University

Abstract

This work is a meta-study of CO2 capture processes for coal and natural gas power generation, including technologies such as post-combustion solvent-based carbon capture, the integrated gasification combined cycle process, oxyfuel combustion, membrane-based carbon capture processes, and solid oxide fuel cells. A literature survey of recent techno-economic studies was conducted, compiling relevant data on costs, efficiencies, and other performance metrics. The data were then converted in a consistent fashion to a common standard (such as a consistent net power output, country of construction, currency, base year of operation, and captured CO2 pressure) such that a meaningful and direct comparison of technologies can be made. The processes were compared against a standard status quo power plant without carbon capture to compute metrics such as cost of CO2 emissions avoided to identify the most promising designs and technologies to use for CO2 emissions abatement.

Highlights

In the US, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric power generation constitutes about29% of all GHG emissions over the course of a year [1], mostly arising from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas
The macro differences are associated with the broad design class of the power technology options
The macro differences are associated with the broad design class of the power plant

Summary

Introduction

In the US, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric power generation constitutes about29% of all GHG emissions over the course of a year [1], mostly arising from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Other possibilities include focusing on efficiency increases of traditional plants as a way of reducing fuel consumption (and GHG emissions across the entire supply chain) for the same power output, or using nuclear-based power generation, which has a very low carbon footprint. Another approach is to continue to use fossil-based power plants, but instead focus on using carbon dioxide capture and sequestration (CCS) as a way of avoiding most of the CO2 emissions while still using fossil fuels. All of these options are likely to continue to play a role in the global electricity generation mix (for a perspective on why and an overview of these technologies for the North American market, see [2])

Methods

Results

Conclusion