Comparison of CO2 From Coal Capture Processes and Valorisation Technologies

Coal is the most plentiful and evenly distributed fossil fuel worldwide. Based on current production, it is estimated that the reserves will last approximately 130 years. Its use worldwide has been increasing, mainly due to consumption by emerging countries. CO2 emissions generated by combustion and the repercussions of such on climate change support the view that it could no longer be used. CO2 capture may be the solution to continue using it, which would cater for the growing energy demand worldwide. The aim of this study is to compare different processes concerning CO2 capture that may be economically viable, ultimately showing that coal, a fossil energy source widely distributed around the world, can, as a result of using different CO2 capture processes, be used as a clean source of electricity. Hence, in places where geological hurdles may render the costs of CO2 storage considerably higher, since it might have to travel far, coal may be used for other purposes, thus valorising CO2 within the industrial sector. This research is focused on the technical and economic comparison of the most relevant CO2 capture projects designed in Spain using different existing technologies. The oxyfuel project in Ciuden (Leon, Spain), the IGCC Elcogas, precombustion CO2-capture project (Puertollano, Spain) and the postcombustion project in Carboneras (Almeria, Spain) will be analyzed in order to assess the options available to valorise captured CO2. Valorising captured CO2 may be an adequate solution in areas where, although CO2 capture is still possible, storage is not equally so, thus generating a further benefit. The possible uses of CO2 will be assessed in vegetable growing greenhouses, harnessing CO2 in vegetable life cycles. This will also be used in growing algae for subsequent biodiesel production. Both CO2 capture and valorising will eventually lead to the clean use of coal, which will thus enhance the level of self-supply, aiding the development of electric vehicles, which require large amounts of electricity, as well as improve the level of energy autonomy in countries around the world. Another type of fuel, biodiesel, will also be obtained, without this affecting international food prices.

Clean Coal Technologies Scenario and Evaluation of Present CO2 Dwindling Initiatives to Approach Zero Emission Power Stations By Coal Combustion. Deployment Situation and Evaluation Study

In the present uncertain global context of reaching an equal social stability and steady thriving economy, power demand expected to grow and global electricity generation could nearly double from 2005 to 2030. Fossil fuels will remain a significant contribution on this energy mix up to 2050, with an expected part of around 70% of global and ca. 60% of European electricity generation. Coal will remain a key player. Hence, a direct effect on the considered CO2 emissions business-as-usual scenario is expected, forecasting three times the present CO2 concentration values up to 1,200ppm by the end of this century. Kyoto protocol was the first approach to take global responsibility onto CO2 emissions monitoring and cap targets by 2012 with reference to 1990. Some of principal CO2emitters did not ratify the reduction targets. Although USA and China spur are taking its own actions and parallel reduction measures. More efficient combustion processes comprising less fuel consuming, a significant contribution from the electricity generation sector to a CO2 dwindling concentration levels, might not be sufficient. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies have started to gain more importance from the beginning of the decade, with research and funds coming out to drive its come in useful. After first researching projects and initial scale testing, three principal capture processes came out available today with first figures showing up to 90% CO2 removal by its standard applications in coal fired power stations. Regarding last part of CO2 reduction chain, two options could be considered worthy, reusing (EOR & EGR) and storage. The study evaluates the state of the CO2 capture technology development, availability and investment cost of the different technologies, with few operation cost analysis possible at the time. Main findings and the abatement potential for coal applications are presented. DOE, NETL, MIT, European universities and research institutions, key technology enterprises and utilities, and key technology suppliers are the main sources of this study. A vision of the technology deployment is presented.

Comparison of CO2 from coal captureprocesses and valorisation technologies

Coal is the most plentiful and evenly distributed fossil fuel worldwide. Based on current production, it is estimated that the reserves will last approximately 130 years. Its use worldwide has been increasing, mainly due to consumption by emerging countries. CO2 emissions generated by combustion and the repercussions of such on climate change support the view that it could no longer be used. CO2 capture may be the solution to continue using it, which would cater for the growing energy demand worldwide. The aim of this study is to compare different processes concerning CO2 capture that may be economically viable, ultimately showing that coal, a fossil energy source widely distributed around the world, can, as a result of using different CO2 capture processes, be used as a clean source of electricity. Hence, in places where geological hurdles may render the costs of CO2 storage considerably higher, since it might have to travel far, coal may be used for other purposes, thus valorizing CO2 within the industrial sector. This research is focused on the technical and economic comparison of the most relevant CO2 capture projects designed in Spain using different existing technologies. The oxyfuel project in Ciuden (Leon, Spain), the IGCC Elcogas, precombustion CO2-capture project (Puertollano, Spain) and the postcombustion project in Carboneras (Almeria, Spain) will be analyzed in order to assess the options available to valorizecaptured CO2. Valorizing captured CO2 may be an adequate solution in areas where, although CO2 capture is still possible, storage is not equally so, thus generating a further benefit. The possible uses of CO2 will be assessed in vegetable growing greenhouses, harnessing CO2 in vegetable life cycles. This will also be used in growing algae for subsequent biodiesel production. Both CO2capture and valorizing will eventually lead to the clean use of coal, which will thus enhance the level of self-supply, aiding the development of electric vehicles, which require large amounts of electricity, as well as improve the level of energy autonomy in countries around the world. Another type of fuel, biodiesel, will also be obtained, without this affecting international food prices.

Análisis del sector y mercado gasista nacional e internacional. : el Hub ibérico y su adaptación al sistema español

Actualmente existe un gran interés orientado hacia el mercado del gas natural. Son muchas las razones por las que este combustible se posiciona como uno de los más importantes dentro del panorama energético mundial. Además de que salvaría el hueco dejado por el carbón y el petróleo, supone una alternativa mucho más limpia que se podría desarrollar aún más tanto a nivel doméstico, industrial como en el mundo de los transportes. La industria del gas natural está cambiando rápidamente fundamentalmente por la aparición del gas no convencional y sus técnicas de extracción. Por lo que se está produciendo un cambio en la economía de la producción de gas así como en la dinámica y los movimientos del GNL a lo largo de todo el planeta. El propósito de este estudio es enfocar el estado del sector y mercado del gas natural en todo el mundo y de esta forma subrayar las principales regiones que marcan la tendencia general de los precios de todo el planeta. Además, este trabajo reflejará los pronósticos esperados para los próximos años así como un resumen de las tendencias que se han seguido hasta el momento. Particularmente, se centrará la atención en el movimiento hacia los sistemas basados en forma de hub que comenzaron en EE.UU. y que llegaron a Reino Unido y al continente Europeo a principios del S.XX. Esta tendencia es la que se pretende implantar en España con el fin de conseguir una mayor competitividad, flexibilidad y liquidez en los precios y en el sistema gasista. De esta forma, poco a poco se irá construyendo la estructura hacia un Mercado Único Europeo que es el objetivo final que plantean los organismos de los estados miembros. Sin embargo, para la puesta en marcha de este nuevo modelo es necesario realizar una serie de cambios en el sistema como la modificación de la Ley de Hidrocarburos, la designación de un Operador de Mercado, elaboración de una serie de reglas para regular el mercado así como fomentar la liquidez del mercado. Cuando tenga lugar el cambio regulatorio, la liquidez del sistema español incrementará y se dará la oportunidad de crear nuevas formas para balancear las carteras de gas y establecer nuevas estrategias para gestionar el riesgo. No obstante, antes de que se hagan efectivos los cambios en la legislación, se implantaría uno de los modelos planteados en el “Gas Target Model”, el denominado “Modelo de Asignación de Capacidad Implícita”. La introducción de este modelo sería un primer paso para la integración de un mercado de gas sin la necesidad de afrontar un cambio legislativo, lo que serviría de VIII impulso para alcanzar el “Modelo de Área de Mercado” que sería el mejor para el sistema gasista español y se conectaría ampliamente con el resto de mercados europeos. Las conclusiones del estudio en relación a la formación del nuevo modelo en forma de hub plantean la necesidad de aprovechar al máximo la nueva situación y conseguir implantar el hub lo antes posible para poder dotar al sistema de mayor competencia y liquidez. Además, el sistema español debe aprovechar su gran capacidad y moderna infraestructura para convertir al país en la entrada de gas del suroeste de Europa ampliando así la seguridad de suministro de los países miembros. Otra conclusión que se puede extraer del informe es la necesidad de ampliar el índice de penetración del gas en España e incentivar el consumo frente a otros combustibles fósiles como el carbón y el petróleo. Esto situaría al gas natural como la principal energía de respaldo con respecto a las renovables y permitiría disminuir los precios del kilovatio hora del gas natural. El estudio y análisis de la dinámica que se viene dando en la industria del gas en el mundo es fundamental para poder anticiparse y planear las mejores estrategias frente a los cambios que poco a poco irán modificando el sector y el mercado gasista. ABSTRACT There is a great deal of focus on the natural gas market at the moment. Whether you view natural gas as bridging the gap between coal/oil and an altogether cleaner solution yet to be determined, or as a destination fuel which will be used not only for heating and gas fired generation but also as transportation fuel, there is no doubt that natural gas will have an increasingly important role to play in the global energy landscape. The natural gas industry is changing rapidly, as shale gas exploration changes the economics of gas production and LNG connects regions across the globe. The purpose of this study is to outline the present state of the global gas industry highlighting the differing models around the world. This study will pay particular attention to the move towards hub based pricing that has taken hold first in the US and over the past decade across the UK and Continental Europe. In the coming years the Spanish model will move towards hub based pricing. As gas market regulatory change takes hold, liquidity in the Spanish gas market will increase, bringing with it new ways to balance gas portfolios and placing an increasing focus on managing price risk. This study will in turn establish the links between the changes that have taken place in other markets as a way to better understanding how the Spanish market will evolve in the coming years.

Influencia de las restricciones medioambientales en el sector eléctrico

El objetivo de esta tesis es la caracterización de la generación térmica representativa de la existente en la realidad, para posteriormente proceder a su modelización y simulación integrándolas en una red eléctrica tipo y llevar a cabo estudios de optimización multiobjetivo económico medioambiental. Para ello, en primera instancia se analiza el contexto energético y eléctrico actual, y más concretamente el peninsular, en el que habiendo desaparecido las centrales de fuelóleo, sólo quedan ciclos combinados y centrales de carbón de distinto rango. Seguidamente se lleva a cabo un análisis de los principales impactos medioambientales de las centrales eléctricas basadas en combustión, representados sobre todo por sus emisiones de CO2, SO2 y NOx, de las medidas de control y mitigación de las mismas y de la normativa que les aplica. A continuación, a partir de las características de los combustibles y de la información de los consumos específicos, se caracterizan los grupos térmicos frente a las funciones relevantes que definen su comportamiento energético, económico y medioambiental, en términos de funciones de salida horarias dependiendo de la carga. Se tiene en cuenta la posibilidad de desnitrificación y desulfuración. Dado que las funciones objetivo son múltiples, y que están en conflicto unas con otras, se ha optado por usar métodos multiobjetivo que son capaces de identificar el contorno de puntos óptimos o frente de Pareto, en los que tomando una solución no existe otra que lo mejore en alguna de las funciones objetivo sin empeorarlo en otra. Se analizaron varios métodos de optimización multiobjetivo y se seleccionó el de las ε constraint, capaz de encontrar frentes no convexos y cuya optimalidad estricta se puede comprobar. Se integró una representación equilibrada de centrales de antracita, hulla nacional e importada, lignito y ciclos combinados en la red tipo IEEE-57, en la que se puede trabajar con siete centrales sin distorsionar demasiado las potencias nominales reales de los grupos, y se programó en Matlab la resolución de flujos óptimos de carga en alterna con el método multiobjetivo integrado. Se identifican los frentes de Pareto de las combinaciones de coste y cada uno de los tres tipos de emisión, y también el de los cuatro objetivos juntos, obteniendo los resultados de costes óptimos del sistema para todo el rango de emisiones. Se valora cuánto le cuesta al sistema reducir una tonelada adicional de cualquier tipo de emisión a base de desplazarse a combinaciones de generación más limpias. Los puntos encontrados aseguran que bajo unas determinadas emisiones no pueden ser mejorados económicamente, o que atendiendo a ese coste no se puede reducir más allá el sistema en lo relativo a emisiones. También se indica cómo usar los frentes de Pareto para trazar estrategias óptimas de producción ante cambios horarios de carga. ABSTRACT The aim of this thesis is the characterization of electrical generation based on combustion processes representative of the actual power plants, for the latter modelling and simulation of an electrical grid and the development of economic- environmental multiobjective optimization studies. In this line, the first step taken is the analysis of the current energetic and electrical framework, focused on the peninsular one, where the fuel power plants have been shut down, and the only ones remaining are coal units of different types and combined cycle. Then it is carried out an analysis of the main environmental impacts of the thermal power plants, represented basically by the emissions of CO2, SO2 y NOx, their control and reduction measures and the applicable regulations. Next, based on the combustibles properties and the information about the units heat rates, the different power plants are characterized in relation to the outstanding functions that define their energy, economic and environmental behaviour, in terms of hourly output functions depending on their load. Optional denitrification and desulfurization is considered. Given that there are multiple objectives, and that they go in conflictive directions, it has been decided the use of multiobjective techniques, that have the ability of identifying the optimal points set, which is called the Pareto front, where taken a solution there will be no other point that can beat the former in an objective without worsening it in another objective. Several multiobjective optimization methods were analysed and pondered, selecting the ε constraint technique, which is able to find no convex fronts and it is opened to be tested to prove the strict Pareto optimality of the obtained solutions. A balanced representation of the thermal power plants, formed by anthracite, lignite, bituminous national and imported coals and combined cycle, was integrated in the IEEE-57 network case. This system was selected because it deals with a total power that will admit seven units without distorting significantly the actual size of the power plants. Next, an AC optimal power flow with the multiobjective method implemented in the routines was programmed. The Pareto fronts of the combination of operative costs with each of the three emissions functions were found, and also the front of all of them together. The optimal production costs of the system for all the emissions range were obtained. It is also evaluated the cost of reducing an additional emission ton of any of the emissions when the optimal production mix is displaced towards cleaner points. The obtained solutions assure that under a determined level of emissions they cannot be improved economically or, in the other way, at a determined cost it cannot be found points of lesser emissions. The Pareto fronts are also applied for the search of optimal strategic paths to follow the hourly load changes.