Economic evaluation of A-USC power plant with CO2 capture unit

  • Katarzyna Stępczyńska-Drygas Silesian University of Technology
  • Sławomir Dykas
  • Henryk Łukowicz
  • Daniel Czaja

Abstract

Achieving CO2 emission control while keeping electricity prices competitive is one of the most important economic and technical challenges. The strategy for lowering the CO2 emission from the coal-based power plants includes first of all raising electricity generation efficiency. Currently, steam temperatures in ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants are limited to approximately 627ºC by the use of the most advanced commercially available ferritic steels. To go to higher temperatures, high-nickel alloys must be used. The nickel alloys are at an advanced stage of development and are expected to be available to support construction of a demonstration plant in Europe in 2021. For pulverized coal (PC) plants the development means progressing to advanced ultra-supercritical (A-USC) steam conditions - 35MPa/700/720ºC. It turned out that the concept consists in gradually raising the live steam temperature and pressure can become economically unjustified. Cost-effectiveness of new investments can be provided only by a significant increase in the efficiency of electricity generation. In the paper the economic evaluation of 900 MW PC unit is presented. The main aim is to compare the cost of electricity generation in USC (28MPa/600/620ºC) and A-USC (35MPa/700/720ºC) power unit. The variants with CO2 capture installation by chemical absorption MEA are considered. Compared to a USC design, the capital cost of the A-USC PC plant will be higher, but the operating cost will be lower. Because of the higher efficiency of the A-USC plant, the differential in operating cost increases as fuel price increases and CO2 cost charges are included.

Author Biography

Katarzyna Stępczyńska-Drygas, Silesian University of Technology
Institute of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery
Published
2015-06-11
How to Cite
STĘPCZYŃSKA-DRYGAS, Katarzyna et al. Economic evaluation of A-USC power plant with CO2 capture unit. Journal of Power Technologies, [S.l.], v. 95, n. 5, p. 75--83, june 2015. ISSN 2083-4195. Available at: <https://papers.itc.pw.edu.pl/index.php/JPT/article/view/660>. Date accessed: 28 mar. 2024.
Section
Polish Energy Mix 2014

Keywords

A-USC power plant, PC power plant, CO2 capture

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