Systems Analysis of Physical Absorption of CO in Ionic Liquids for Pre-Combustion Carbon Capture.

This study develops an integrated technical and economic modeling framework to investigate the feasibility of ionic liquids (ILs) for precombustion carbon capture. The IL 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide is modeled as a potential physical solvent for CO capture at integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants. The analysis reveals that the energy penalty of the IL-based capture system comes mainly from the process and product streams compression and solvent pumping, while the major capital cost components are the compressors and absorbers.

A Techno-Economic Assessment of Hybrid Cooling Systems for Coal- and Natural-Gas-Fired Power Plants with and without Carbon Capture and Storage.

Advanced cooling systems can be deployed to enhance the resilience of thermoelectric power generation systems. This study developed and applied a new power plant modeling option for a hybrid cooling system at coal- or natural-gas-fired power plants with and without amine-based carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems. The results of the plant-level analyses show that the performance and cost of hybrid cooling systems are affected by a range of environmental, technical, and economic parameters.

Opportunities for Decarbonizing Existing U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants via CO2 Capture, Utilization and Storage.

This study employs a power plant modeling tool to explore the feasibility of reducing unit-level emission rates of CO2 by 30% by retrofitting carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to existing U.S. coal-fired electric generating units (EGUs).

Techno-economic assessment of polymer membrane systems for postcombustion carbon capture at coal-fired power plants.

This study investigates the feasibility of polymer membrane systems for postcombustion carbon dioxide (CO(2)) capture at coal-fired power plants. Using newly developed performance and cost models, our analysis shows that membrane systems configured with multiple stages or steps are capable of meeting capture targets of 90% CO(2) removal efficiency and 95+% product purity. A combined driving force design using both compressors and vacuum pumps is most effective for reducing the cost of CO(2) avoided.

The cost of carbon capture and storage for natural gas combined cycle power plants.

This paper examines the cost of CO(2) capture and storage (CCS) for natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants. Existing studies employ a broad range of assumptions and lack a consistent costing method. This study takes a more systematic approach to analyze plants with an amine-based postcombustion CCS system with 90% CO(2) capture.

Water use at pulverized coal power plants with postcombustion carbon capture and storage.

Coal-fired power plants account for nearly 50% of U.S. electricity supply and about a third of U.

Regulating the geological sequestration of CO2.

Governments worldwide should provide incentives for initial large-scale GS projects to help build the knowledge base for a mature, internationally harmonized GS regulatory framework. Health, safety, and environmental risks of these early projects can be managed through modifications of existing regulations in the EU, Australia, Canada, and the U.S.

Technology innovations and experience curves for nitrogen oxides control technologies.

This paper reviews the regulatory history for nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollutant emissions from stationary sources, primarily in coal-fired power plants. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the six criteria pollutants regulated by the 1970 Clean Air Act where National Ambient Air Quality Standards were established to protect public health and welfare. We use patent data to show that in the cases of Japan, Germany, and the United States, innovations in NOx control technologies did not occur until stringent government regulations were in place, thus "forcing" innovation.

Effect of government actions on technological innovation for SO2 control.

The relationship between government actions and innovation in environmental control technology is important for the design of cost-effective policies to achieve environmental goals. This paper examines such relationships for the case of sulfur dioxide control technology for U.S.

A technical, economic, and environmental assessment of amine-based CO2 capture technology for power plant greenhouse gas control.

Capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel power plants is gaining widespread interest as a potential method of controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Performance and cost models of an amine (MEA)-based CO2 absorption system for postcombustion flue gas applications have been developed and integrated with an existing power plant modeling framework that includes multipollutant control technologies for other regulated emissions. The integrated model has been applied to study the feasibility and cost of carbon capture and sequestration at both new and existing coal-burning power plants.