Introduction:

The aim of the International Network for Oxy-Fuel Combustion is to provide an international forum for organisations with interest in the development of Oxy-Fuel Combustion Technology.

This network is organised in recognition to the different efforts by the industry to demonstrate the techno-economic feasibility of this technology as a carbon capture option for a power plant in the near future. Currently, there are two large demonstration plant studies at a scale of about 30MW have been planned in Germany (Greenhouse Gas Issue #78) and Australia with a time frame of starting up and commissioning of the plant within next two to three years period.

The International Network has been established as a project under the IEA GHG Implementing Agreement.

Background:

Carbon dioxide capture and storage is now included in most OECD countries' energy policies and R&D programmes as a potential contributor to carbon dioxide mitigation strategies. One of the key technologies considered for carbon capture is the Oxy-Fuel Combustion. For power generation industry, Oxy-Coal Combustion with Recycled Flue Gas has been strongly considered for power plant retrofit and newly built plant.

It has been about 20 years since the first study has been initiated by Argonne National Laboratory and Energy & Environment Research Corp. (now part of GE) on Oxy-Coal Combustion with Recycled Flue Gas. The study made during that time was kicked off with a view of producing CO2 from a power plant for used in enhanced oil recovery. The pilot plant used in this study is shown in Photograph 1.

Photograph 1

During the beginning of the 1990’s, the impetus of reducing greenhouse gas started. This led to studies in Europe, Japan and Canada of this type of combustion process for the consideration of carbon capture. Most of these studies focused on retrofitting existing fleet of power plant.

In Europe, with funding from the European Commission under the Joule Thermie Programme (1992-1995), the International Flame Research Foundation led a consortium whose members include Mitsui Babcock, Air Products, International Combustion, University of Ulster, Imperial College and University of Napoli to investigate the combustion characteristics of an Oxy-Coal Combustion with Recycled Flue Gas. The study included burner studies ranging from 150 kW to 30 MW. Photograph 2 shows the 2.5 MW flame of a typical Oxy-Coal Combustion with Recycle Flue Gas operated with a similar heat transfer profile to the conventional air fired system.

Photograph 2

Ishikawajima Harima Engineering – IHI – led an Oxy-Coal Combustion research consortium in Japan with funding from NEDO (1992 – 2000). The study covers a wide range of topic from techno-economic study to flame characteristics and pollutant emissions. Photograph 3 shows a schematic diagram representing their 1.2 MW pilot plant used in their study.

Photograph 3

CANMET Energy Technology Centre led the Oxy-Coal Combustion Study in Canada using their 300 kW Vertical Reactor as shown in Photograph 4. Their studies include in-flame measurements, CFD modelling and coal characterisation.

Photograph 4

Interests in Oxy-Fuel Combustion have been growing since then with work undertaken in Europe, Australia, Japan, USA, Canada and South Korea are currently in progress or recently completed.

Consideration for a large scale demonstration plant is now in the drawing board. Vattenfall has announced an investment of €40 million to build a 30MW Pilot Plant in Schwarze Pumpe Power Station. The Callide A Project, which is the Australian – Japanese initiative, has initiated a feasibility study of retrofitting 30MW power plant in preparation for demonstration study.

It is already clear that current R&D effort has been aimed toward gaining experience to build confidence in the operation and commercialisation of this technology.

Progress:

The inaugural workshop for the Oxy-Fuel Combustion Network has been set on the 29th and 30th of November 2005. This will be hosted by Vattenfall Europe AG and will be held in Cottbus. For details to the meeting, please click here.

Funding:

This network is envisioned to have a task sharing activity with participants bearing their own costs.

Meetings and Summary Reports

Meeting information is available here.

Membership of the Network:

Membership of the Network is open to countries and industries actively engaged in practical research on Oxy-Fuel Combustion or seeking ways to promote such activities. For membership enquiries see contact details below.

Contact Details:

Stanley Santos

e-mail: stanley@ieaghg.org
fax: 01242 680758

OR

John Topper

e-mail: john.topper@iea-epl.co.uk

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