Optimization of Oxygen-based CFBC Technology with CO2 capture

The project objective is to demonstrate the concept of the second generation oxyfuel combustion that reduce significantly (50%) the overall efficiency penalty of CO₂ capture into power plants, from approximately 12 to 6 efficiency points.
One of the main drawbacks of CCS is the additional energy used for operation. This energetic penalty reduces the power plant efficiency, and increases the cost of electricity and the use of resources (mainly fossil fuels but also water, raw materials and additional equipment). The reduction of the parasitic losses associated with CCS is a major challenge in the next years. The concept focuses on one of the most important recommendations of the ZEP's report for the deployment of CCS in the European Union (EU): the use of higher O₂ concentrations in oxyfuel combustion reducing the flue gas recirculation and energy penalty. The use of higher oxygen concentration has important advantages: lower boiler size (CAPEX and OPEX cost), improved possibilities to take advantage of high temperature energy and process integration, the reduction of flue gas recirculation and improved system flexibility. However to achieve this objective is necessary to demonstrate and analyze the effect of high oxygen concentrations in combustion performance, fuel flexibility, controllability of solid looping within the boiler, material performance, the effects on carbon procession unit and, depending on the results obtained in the demonstration tests, how to use-integrate-optimize the energy/heat from different parts of the process to obtain a reduction of the overall penalty caused by CCS. The project is going to deals with this challenge. The project technical leaders are Foster Wheeler Energia Oy and Air Liquide, the demonstration facility is CIUDEN and the utility is Endesa Generación.