ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY OF CO 2 CAPTURE ON AN EXISTING US COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT

ALSTOM Power Inc.’s US Power Plant Laboratories (ALSTOM) has teamed with American Electric Power (AEP), ABB Lummus Global Inc. (ABB), the US Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE), and the Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO) to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating the technical feasibility and economics of alternate CO2 capture and sequestration technologies applied to an existing US coal-fired electric generation power plant. Three retrofit technology concepts are being evaluated, namely: • Concept A: Coal combustion in air, followed by CO2 separation with Kerr-McGee/ABB Lummus Global’s commercial MEA-based absorption/stripping process • Concept B: Coal combustion with O2 firing and flue gas recycle •  Coal Combustion in air with Oxygen Removal and CO2 Separation by Tertiary Amines Each of these technologies is being evaluated against a baseline case and CO2 tax options from the standpoints of performance and impacts on power generating cost. A typical existing US domestic pulverized coal fired power plant is being used in this evaluation. Specifically, AEP’s 450 MW Conesville Unit No. 5, located in Conesville, Ohio is the power plant case study. All technical performance and cost results associated with these options are being evaluated in comparative manner. These technical and economic issues being evaluated include: • Boiler performance and plant efficiency • Purity of O2 produced and flue gas recycled • Heat transfer into the radiant and convective sections of the boiler • NOX, SO2, CO and unburned carbon emissions • Heat transfer surface materials • Steam temperature control • Boiler and Steam Cycle modifications • Electrostatic Precipitator system performance • Flue Gas Desulfurization system performance • Plant systems integration and control • Retrofit investment cost and cost of electricity (COE) ALSTOM is managing and performing the subject study from its US Power Plant Laboratories office in Windsor, CT. ABB, from its offices in Houston, Texas, is participating as a sub-contractor. AEP is participating by offering their Conesville Generating Station as the case study and cost sharing consultation, and relevant technical and cost data. AEP is one of the largest US utilities and as the largest consumer of Ohio coal is bringing considerable value to the project. Similarly, ALSTOM and ABB are well established as global leaders in the design and manufacturing of steam generating equipment, petrochemical and CO2 separation technology. ALSTOM’s world leaders in providing equipment and services for boilers and power plant environmental control, respectively, and are providing their expertise to this project. The DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory and the Ohio Coal Development Office provided consultation and funding. All participants contributed to the cost share of this project. The motivation for this study was to provide input to potential US electric utility actions to meet Kyoto protocol targets. If the US decides to reduce CO2 emissions consistent with the Kyoto protocol, action would need to be taken to address existing power plants. Although fuel switching to gas may be a likely scenario, it will not be a sufficient measure and some form of CO2 capture for use or disposal may also be required. The output of this CO2 capture study will enhance the public’s understanding of control options and influence decisions and actions by government, regulators, and power plant owners to reduce their greenhouse gas CO2 emissions.