Abstract
Masdar has initiated the Abu Dhabi Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project, with the objective to develop an Abu Dhabi-based carbon capture network capable of creating large reductions of CO2 emissions as well as the capacity to increase oil extraction by use of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Since Siemens has developed, tested and piloted a proprietary post-combustion CO2 capture technology (PostCap™) for the removal of CO2 from the flue gas of coal and gas fired power plants suitable for the project, both parties decided to cooperate in executing a FEED study. The solvent Siemens based its technology on is an aqueous amino acid salt solution.
Siemens and Masdar have completed a FEED study for capturing 1,800,000 tons of CO2 annually from a natural gas fired power plant in Abu Dhabi, by application of the PostCap™ technology.
Various opportunities and challenges were encountered during the design of the retrofit capture plant. Challenges were often specific to the region, including local climate, water availability and flue gas quality. Design and optimisation of the plant was influenced by local energy and labour prices. Further opportunities included integration with the power plant and a local industrial facility.
The power plant had to supply the capture plant with steam and power without reducing the original electricity production capacity. In order to accomplish this, several heat and power integration concepts were evaluated with respect to their feasibility, including the application of a back-pressure steam turbine and the retrofit of a simple cycle gas turbine to combined cycle.
Various cooling options were considered, in view of climate and resource challenges. Cooling water had to be extracted from a reflux stream produced by an adjacent industrial facility.
Drawing on the results of the FEED study this paper presents how the Siemens PostCap™ technology can be applied for capturing CO2 at a power plant in Abu Dhabi for the purpose of EOR while satisfying specific local needs, and how simultaneously utility supply and power plant integration can be facilitated.