(287b) Optimal Design of Integrated Power Generation and CO2 Capture Systems | AIChE

(287b) Optimal Design of Integrated Power Generation and CO2 Capture Systems

Authors 

Zhao, Y. - Presenter, Imperial College London
Samsatli, N. J. - Presenter, Imperial College London


There have been extensive efforts to date related to the design and optimisation of CO2 capture processes in isolation. However, very little work has been performed on the evaluation of CCS from integrated power plants and CO2 capture processes. To improve the overall efficiency, increased process integration of the power generation process and capture process is required. Furthermore, it is well known that CCS from gas-fired power-plants presents a very different challenge to CCS from coal-fired power-plants.

Insights regarding the integrated plant operation can be provided through dynamic modelling and simulation. In this study, we present novel dynamic models of both decarbonised coal- and gas-fired power plants which account for the various transients associated in the power generation process. Sub-critical plants are considered as the dynamics of their operation are of more interest than those of the super-critical plants. Owing to its technological maturity, the decarbonisation technology of choice is post-combustion CO2 capture using amine-based chemisorption. Detailed mass and energy balances were performed for each of the sub-models. All sub-models and their integration are implemented in gPROMS, and finally a generic system modelling framework is developed to study the performance and cost implications.

Based on a rigorous whole system analysis, the interaction of CO2 capture level and power plant output control are investigated. The cost-optimal degree of CO2 capture from both kinds of power station are also determined. In solving this optimisation problem, we account for the time-varying value of electricity as well as market prices associated with CO2 emissions. Moreover, an objective function is proposed which maximises the revenue stream associated with energy production whilst simultaneously minimising the CO2 emitted to atmosphere.