Energy Center

Coal based oxy-combustion for carbon capture and storage: status,

 prospects, research needs and roadmap to commercialization

Professor Terry Wall

Project Leader, APP Oxy-fuel Working Group and Chemical Engineering,

University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia

Abstract

Conventional pf coal-fired boilers use air for combustion in which the

nitrogen from the air dilutes the CO2 concentration in the flue gas.

During oxy-combustion, a combination of oxygen (typically of greater

than 95% purity) and recycled flue gas is used for combustion of the

fuel. A flue gas with a concentration of CO2 ready for sequestration

is generated, with the recycled flue gas used to control flame

temperature and make up some of the missing N2 to ensure there is

enough gas to carry the heat through the boiler.

As one of the three major carbon capture and storage (CCS)

technologies, oxy-fuel technology is currently undergoing rapid

development with a number of demonstration projects commencing in the

development towards commercialization.

The presentation provides a comprehensive overview of current and

projected pilot plants and demonstration projects being progressed in

the US, EU, Asia and Australia. Current research on coal

combustibility, furnace heat transfer, and emissions is also detailed,

with an emphasis on the difference between air-firing and oxy-fuel.

Aspects of a roadmap for the future deployment of oxy-fuel CCS

technology for commercialization are provided, together with details

of emerging regulations in for CCS which influence the required CO2

gas quality from oxy-fuel.