Optimization of Thermodynamically Efficient Nominal 40 MW Zero Emission Pilot and Demonstration Power Plant in Norway

Abstract

In Aug 2004 the Zero Emission Norwegian Gas (ZENG) project team completed Phase-1: Concept and Feasibility Study for a 40 MW Pilot & Demonstration (P&D) Plant, that is proposed will be located at the Energy Park, Risavika, near Stavanger in South Norway during 2008. The power plant cycle is based upon implementation of the natural gas (NG) and oxygen fueled Gas Generator (GG) (1500°F/1500 psi) successfully demonstrated by Clean Energy Systems (CES) Inc. The GG operations was originally tested in Feb 2003 and is currently (Feb 2005) undergoing extensive commissioning at the CES 5MW Kimberlina Test Plant, near Bakersfield, California. The ZENG P&D Plant will be an important next step in an accelerating path towards demonstrating large-scale (+200 MW) commercial implementation of zero-emission power plants before the end of this decade. However, development work also entails having a detailed commercial understanding of the techno-economic potential for such power plant cycles: specifically in an environment where the future penalty for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions remains uncertain. Work done in dialogue with suppliers during ZENG Project Phase-1 has cost-estimated all major plant components to a level commensurate with engineering pre-screening. The study has also identified several features of the proposed power plant that has enabled improvements in thermodynamic efficiency from 37% up to present level of 44–46% without compromising the criteria of implementation using “near-term” available technology. The work has investigated: i. Integration between the cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) and the power plant. ii. Use of gas turbine technology for the intermediate pressure (IP) steam turbine. iii. Optimal use of turbo-expanders and heat-exchangers to mitigate the power consumption incurred for oxygen production. iv. Improved condenser design for more efficient CO2 separation and removal. v. Sensitivity of process design criteria to “small” variations in modeling of the physical properties for CO2/steam working fluid near saturation. vi. Use of a second “conventional” pure steam Rankine bottoming cycle. In future analysis, not all these improvements need necessarily be seen to be cost-effective when taking into account total P&D program objectives; thermodynamic efficiency, power plant investment, operations and maintenance cost. However, they do represent important considerations towards “total” optimization when designing the P&D Plant. We observe that Project Phase-2: Pre-Engineering & Qualification should focus on optimization of plant size with respect to total capital investment (CAPEX); and identification of further opportunities for extended technology migration from gas turbine environment that could also permit raised turbine inlet temperatures (TIT).