In this paper, an economic analysis of the absorber for a 250 MW coal-fired power plant was conducted. The purpose of the research is to determine the optimal design and operating conditions for the amine scrubbing post-combustion... more
In this paper, an economic analysis of the absorber for a 250 MW coal-fired power plant was conducted. The purpose of the research is to determine the optimal design and operating conditions for the amine scrubbing post-combustion absorber. The Energy Cost (Energy) and the Annualized Capital Cost (CAPEX) for the absorber were calculated to determine the total processing cost as a function of the gas superficial velocity (u G). To calculate the CAPEX and energy, the mass transfer properties and hydraulic data for these packings were obtained from previous experimental measurements. The minimum total cost for each packing was compared to find the lowest total cost and optimum packing. The total cost decreases with u G at first (CAPEX dominant) and then increases (Energy dominant). The minimum total cost represents a trade-off between CAPEX and Energy, and it is achieved at the intersection of the CAPEX region and the energy region. The optimum operating velocity is between 50 and 80% flood for all packings, which deviates from the experience with distillation column design, usually optimized at 70–90% flood. The lowest total absorber cost from this study is given by packing 200X-H with a value of $4.04/ton CO 2 removed.
Despite environmental threats, coal is expected to remain a remarkable energy source as the share of intermittent renewable sources in the energy mix grows; hence, managing pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) is critical while pushing... more
Despite environmental threats, coal is expected to remain a remarkable energy source as the share of intermittent renewable sources in the energy mix grows; hence, managing pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) is critical while pushing for clean alternatives. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a set of methods that removes CO2 from emissions and stores it safely for the long-term. As it stands now, CCUS is prohibitively expensive; however, learning-by-doing is a recognized phenomenon that assists novel technologies to become more affordable as employed continuously. Thus, for accurate long-term planning, this study investigates the impact of early adopters on CCUS market diffusion considering endogenous technology learning (ETL). A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model (MINLP) is developed which determines the optimal capacity and deployment time of post-combustion carbon capture units and the optimal source-sink matching in the CO 2 supply chain, taking into account techno-economic constraints and regulations. The MINLP model is transformed into a series of mixed-integer linear programming models using a Stackelberg game approach and solved with a diagonalization method. Equilibrium solutions of the proposed model were obtained for independent and coordinated actions of players. The proposed model is applied to the Turkish energy market with multiple CO2 sources and sinks, where a cap-and-trade program is presumed to be in place. While the study demonstrates the interplay between CCUS and ETL in Turkey, the proposed model is universal, and it can be applied to other countries if the inputs are available.
The synthesis of a mesoporous g-Al2O3 nanorod/reduced graphene oxide (g-Al2O3NR/RGO) composite with a higher surface area and thermal conductivity than unmodified g-Al2O3 has been accomplished, and these materials were characterized in... more
The synthesis of a mesoporous g-Al2O3 nanorod/reduced graphene oxide (g-Al2O3NR/RGO) composite with a higher surface area and thermal conductivity than unmodified g-Al2O3 has been accomplished, and these materials were characterized in detail. The composite was used successfully as a support for poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) to capture CO2 at high temperature. The PEI-modified composite (g-Al2O3NR/ RGO/PEI) showed an excellent CO2 adsorption from simulated flue gas at 75 8C and complete desorption at 100 8C with recyclability. The maximum CO2 adsorption capacity of this material was 200.6 mggPEI 1 (1.14 mmol CO2gadsorbent 1) with an amine efficiency of 0.22, which is higher than that of bare g-Al2O3/PEI. As a result of its high thermal conductivity, the overheating of the adsorbent during exothermic CO2 adsorption by PEI was restricted and as a result the thermal degradation of PEI was prevented. Accordingly, the adsorption capacity of g-Al2O3NR/RGO/PEI does not deteriorate like that of bare g-Al2O3/PEI during repeated CO2 adsorption– desorption cycles.
