Comparative thermodynamic analysis and integration issues of CCS steam power plants based on oxy-combustion with cryogenic or membrane based air separation

When realizing CSS steam power plants based on oxy-combustion, the energy demand for oxygen production is one of the main causes for efficiency losses. This comparative study focuses on the impact of the air separation technology - cryogenic as well as high temperature membrane based - on the efficiency of a coal-fired oxyfuel steam power plant. As a result of this study both show comparable efficiency potentials whereas the membrane based technology needs a higher degree of integration into the power cycle to compete efficiencies of the oxyfuel power plant with cryogenic ASU. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved