TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS OF POST- COMBUSTION CARBON CAPTURE IN A COAL FIRED POWER

Techno-economic consideration of post combustion carbon capture in a coal fired power plant (500MW) was carried out. Primary (MEA), secondary (DEA) and tertiary (MDEA) amines were analysed regarding their tendency to corrode the equipments and their performance in the absorption and stripping columns using Aspen Hysys ® 7.2 software. From the simulation work, DEA showed better performance. The DEA process was optimised to find the optimum parameters that explore the trade-off between efficiency and operating and capital costs at an acceptable operating point. The cost of commissioning and operating the capture plant was also estimated and different cost metrics were calculated for the plant feasibility. The levelized cost of electricity increased by £0.028/kWh compared to the original cost of £0.105/kWh. The cost of CO2 treatment was found to be £26.8/ton which is higher compared to UK carbon floor price (2012) of £16/ton CO2. Finally, the decision will be either to operate the power plant without a capture plant and pay the carbon tax or retrofitting the power plant for carbon capture and pay the cost of treating the CO2. However, if the emphasis is on environmental consideration, the retrofitting becomes the best option