Project Summary

The CSIRO PCC pilot plant trial has confirmed both the technical feasibility of the aqueous ammonia based liquid absorbent process, and the expected benefits. It also encountered some operational issues. This research project will further explore and validate the potential benefits of a number of previously developed novel approaches in order to address the issues identified, and make the process economically favourable. In addition, it will combine experimental and modelling approaches to develop a rigorous rate based model for the aqueous ammonia based capture process, which allows for reliable process simulation, optimisation and scale up.

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Development of an Aqueous Ammonia-Based PCC Technology for Australian Conditions - Final Report

The project has led to the development of an advanced, aqueous NH3 based capture process which is environmentally friendly and cost effective. The technical and economic assessment has shown that with the integration of a MEA-based PCC process, the output of the power station dropped from 650 to 473 MW, and the net efficiency decreased from 38.9 to 28.3% – a 27.3 % (relative term) and 10.6% (absolute term) decrease. The Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) increased from US$66.1 to US$131.3 per MWh, and the CO2 avoided cost was US$96.4/tonne CO2. In comparison, the net efficiency of the power station with the integration of the advanced aqueous NH3 process dropped to 31.3% – a 19.4 % (relative term) and 7.6% (absolute term) decrease and the CO2-avoided cost was US$63.6/tonne CO2, which is 34% lower than that in the MEA-based process.

Project Name:
Development of the advanced aqueous ammonia based post combustion capture technology

Research Organisation:
CSIRO

Status:
Completed, 2016

Authors:
Hai Yu, Leigh Wardhaugh, Paul Feron, Qi Yang, Kangkang Li, Moses Tade, Lichun Li, Marcel Maeder

Reference:
3-0911-0142

Research Program: Post Combustion Capture
Demonstration: General (PCC)
Research Focus: Post Combustion Capture, Capture

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